4 operational benefits of cloud-connected solutions and what to do next

 Cloud computing transformed the way organizations operationally collect, access, and share information and resources – offering modern businesses flexibility, efficiency, scalability, security, and optimized costs.

While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated cloud adoption, the reliance on cloud technologies is set to continue far into the future, especially with hybrid work taking precedence in most organizations. Whether a company already uses cloud services or is planning to in the future, it is vital to understand the operational benefits of cloud-connected solutions.

Let’s explore four key benefits and how you can protect your future with better planning and fluid assets.

1. Disaster recovery

Preventing a disaster is ideal but being able to anticipate and work through a disaster with a solid plan of attack is valuable – and ultimately could prevent detrimental harm to your company. Under normal circumstances, organizations are successful when they maintain control over assets. Regrettably, no matter how organized your processes may be, there will always be uncontrollable and uncertain elements. Downtime in your services leads to lost productivity, revenue, and brand reputation.

The remedy lies in secure planning to help you recover as quickly as possible. Cloud applications are built for quick data recovery regardless of the source of interruption. Whether natural disaster or data breach, cloud-connected services will provide the quickest recovery. Salesforce found 20% of cloud users claim disaster recovery in four hours or less; only 9% of non-cloud users could claim the same. In a recent survey, 43% of IT executives said they plan to invest in or improve cloud-based disaster recovery solutions.

Given this information, it is safe to say disaster recovery solutions will be integral for those seeking cloud-connected workspace initiatives.

2. Process optimization

Hybrid cloud infrastructure has gained popularity across global organizations over the past three years. Approximately 72% of organizations described their cloud strategy as “hybrid first.” Interestingly, the hybrid cloud infrastructure market is expected to reach $128 billion by 2025 according to Mordor Intelligence.

So, what does this all mean? To be successful, your organization’s hybrid cloud strategy needs to focus on optimization. Key optimization tactics are aligned to improving performance, security, and cost –which all work directly with employee experience. It’s vital employees interact with your internal infrastructure through application availability and stability to stay productive.

Here are some ways to help optimize your infrastructure and improve costs.

Implement robust governance policies

True hybrid cloud initiatives involve a mixture of public and private clouds. Implementing a resilient cloud governance policy that is reliable and predictable allows you to optimize and manage workloads effectively, driving down cost. One way to maximize your organization’s investment is by leveraging relationships with global strategic partners like VMware, who provide these types of tools to help your business with cloud governance and management.

Invest in tools

Hybrid cloud is multifaceted and complex. Managing any type of cloud infrastructure can become overwhelming at times. Investing in tools that aggregate infrastructure into a single pane of glass will allow you and your cloud team to be effective. SHI One is purpose built to help streamline your cloud operations and cost management. Our solution helps you spend less time struggling with reports, management, and support, and more time on the strategic initiatives driving your business forward.

Build flexible solutions

One of the major advantages of hybrid cloud is its flexibility. If built correctly, your resources become nimble, and you start to build initiatives around a productive service model. This will require investments in Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms that align to your business. These decisions will directly impact your employee experience. Google, for example, has built solutions with flexibility in mind to help your business stay agile.

3. Simplification in IT service, software, and asset management

The objective of IT Service Management (ITSM) is to ensure seamless business operations resulting in higher employee satisfaction. Unfortunately, organizations can get caught in the weeds of support and end up following complex frameworks and processes, missing the overall strategy. While these frameworks do provide better control mechanisms, companies often fail in execution.

“The solution is to simplify ITSM,” according to Freshworks. A leader in customer engagement software, Freshworks indicated that new global research “shows that despite a pandemic-driven tech spend surge, nine in ten (91%) employees are still frustrated by workplace technology.”

To complicate the matter further, large software vendors are moving from on-premises license models to SaaS subscription models, often with stricter licensing controls. Moreover, with assets distributed and no longer primarily on-premises, developing an ITSM program with software and assets in mind is key. This allows the program to be purpose-built for the world of hybrid everything which requires extending ITSM into the cloud and out to the edge. The need to spend has been replaced by the need to track, optimize and, where appropriate, take control.

4. Better business outcomes

As you set new strategies for what a cloud-connected workspace means, look for your organization to review your cloud initiatives with the end user in mind. When organizations facilitate cloud innovation as it relates to the hybrid workspace, it leads to better business outcomes.

Whether you want to improve your ITSM, IT Asset Management (ITAM), or Software Asset Management (SAM) programs, or start from the ground up, our team of industry-leading experts help you benchmark against best practices and highlight opportunities to improve.

SHI offers a wide range of cost-effective ITAM and SAM services. From an ITAM Process Maturity Assessment to Microsoft 365 Optimization, SHI will help your organization rebuild from disruptions caused by COVID-19 or other IT growth pains. From eliminating unnecessary spend, improving technology adoption, or tightening your IT governance controls, our ITAM and SAM services deliver a vendor-neutral solution that maximizes the value of your technology investments.

Our ridiculously helpful specialists are here to help you bolster your disaster recovery plan, optimize your hybrid cloud infrastructure, and simplify your ITSM strategy. To learn more about SHI’s vast cloud solutions and services, contact us today to get started.