Whether we admit to it or not, cloud computing is here to stay.
On a previous blog, we told you about the Top 10 Future Cloud Computing Trends you should watch out for. True enough, there is simply so much more to the cloud than just being a powerful storage solution. It is an undeniably powerful tool that enables your business to evolve and adapt a more service-oriented approach for your clients.
Recent study predicts that in the next five years, the cloud services industry is set to grow at nearly three times the rate of IT services. But the cloud isn’t immune to misconceptions, and myths if you will. These myths plague cloud computing which in turn, tend to slow enterprises down by impeding innovation and stoking unwanted fear.
While it is impressive how more and more businesses are opening themselves to the power of cloud computing and has entered the mainstream, myths surrounding its rise still persist to this day. The cloud is more than just this amorphous entity floating above our heads. It is a network of connected data services.
Here, Apper dispels some of the known myths about the cloud and the truth behind them. If you’re looking for a sign to switch or fully embrace the cloud, you’ve come to the right place.
The Cloud Can Run On Its Own
You couldn’t be more wrong. While it is true that the cloud is designed to make life a tad bit easier for businesses like you by enabling automation, you will still need people with the right expertise and understanding to manage the tools involved.
It is easy to assume that once you have moved your data to the cloud, you are left with nothing to do. Moving to the cloud is not the end solution. Which is why you need a managed services provider to take good care of your cloud environment so your IT team can focus on more strategic initiatives.
To harness the fullest of cloud capabilities, it is important to understand the model and maintain realistic expectations. Once your workload has been moved, the work is just beginning.
The Cloud is Always Cheaper
It’s cost efficient, yes. But it’s not always cheaper to run in the public cloud. If you have multiple servers running 24 hours, 7 days a week, for example, some servers may give you the same compute power for much less.
Migrating to the cloud may reduce your overall IT spend in the long term. This benefit may not seem apparent immediately. Some businesses find that stretching costs over a longer period of time is more savvy than incurring large upfront fees for software updates.
The Cloud is Just a Data Center
The cloud is a virtual infrastructure providing information through the internet. To compare it to a data center would simply be a disservice. Cloud solutions drive digital transformation across a business for a smarter and faster way to work.
What’s more is that cloud computing offers off-prem services to users. For as long as you have access to the internet, you have access to your date. This is a far cry from an actual data center, which is housed on-prem and requires ongoing support.
The Cloud Costs jobs
This myth keeps many IT workers awake at dawn. They worry that if their organization moves to the cloud, they will lose their job. A valid fear to think of from the onset. The silver lining is that it is likely that their responsibilities will change and they will be reassigned to more strategic work that we mentioned earlier. Less time on the clouds, more time for tactical work that will drive opportunities for the business.
It might also encourage some technicians who might even choose to reskill or skill up to obtain a cloud position. There are studies to show that the increased shift into the cloud has actually created more jobs. This is attributed to the fact that it requires a host of cloud-savvy experts, whose skills and knowledge help maintain and strengthen growth and development. Simply put, the cloud does not take jobs.
The Cloud Technology Is Too Early, Too Young
The cloud is actually fast approaching its maturity. With constant and consistent innovation coming at a quick pace, those who now understand the power of the cloud and use it to their advantage will be the first to reap its long-term benefits.
The Cloud is Less Secure
The truth is security risks in the cloud are the same as those faced by conventional IT solutions. But with the cloud, you and your cloud provider share the security responsibility. Data security is a common misconception. Cloud providers have clients in different sectors – financial, healthcare and government alike. And to maintain their trust and build their reputation, they are bound to adhere to strict data protocols.
Cloud solutions enable you to choose the type of services to secure your data at rest or in transit. You actually have the power to control your data and how it is accessed, whether through encryption or two-factor authentication.
Cloud Migration is Simply Complex and Difficult
What is complex and difficult is if you’re running outdated servers. You might be in need of some cleansing and architecture revisions – nothing an experienced managed service or hosting provider can’t solve. With them, you can migrate seamlessly with minimal downtime.
Migrating to the cloud can be as smooth and quick as lift-and-shift depending on your cloud needs. In a span of weeks, your organization can be fully migrated to a cloud infrastructure. Maintaining an efficient workflow enables you to save time and money.
Big Data Means No Big Deal
Again, you couldn’t be more wrong. The bigger your business and the volume of the data you harvest, the bigger the complexity. Big data can actually cripple your storage and systems.
But when you have a structured, effective and cloud-based approach, you are bound to gain incredible insights from your data to give you a competitive advantage.
You are not big enough to move to the cloud
You are never too small to benefit from a cloud platform. Imagine the security and access that comes with the cloud makes it a far more efficient use of your resources. Without a data center to maintain, small businesses can reduce their spend for maintaining hardware and upgrading software.
The biggest benefit of cloud for small businesses is scalability. Public cloud solutions empower you to scale up as your business grows. This gives you the power to choose – to pay only for the services you need when you need them, reducing upfront costly investment.
Take your next step into the cloud with Apper. Our expertise in major cloud platforms enable us to manage your cloud so you can focus on what matters to you.
References:
Doug Sainato, E. (2019). Let’s Talk About the Truth Behind the Top 10 Cloud Myths. Onixnet.com. Retrieved 29 September 2021, from https://www.onixnet.com/insights/the-truth-behind-the-top-10-cloud-myths.
Top 10 Cloud Computing Myths Debunked | Rackspace Technology. Rackspace Technology. Retrieved 29 September 2021, from https://www.rackspace.com/en-ph/library/cloud-computing-myths.
