Cloud Transitioning for Greater Business Productivity and Efficiency

Leaping to the Cloud

The business landscape shows no signs of slowing down and neither is the competition.  With technology evolving faster than ever, staying competitive means staying ahead!

Cloud computing is quickly becoming the key for businesses to do just that!

The transformative potential of cloud computing is becoming evident, as organisations of all sizes, from trend-setting start-ups to multinational corporations, are leveraging its capabilities to enhance efficiency, scalability, and profitability.

According to an analysis done by DataCube Research of the Malaysia Cloud Computing Market between 2019-2032, ‘Malaysia’s cloud spending is expected to grow at an impressive CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8.7%’. This is set to ‘outpace many developed markets in the Asia-PAcific region’.

This rapid expansion underscores the pivotal role and undeniable shift towards a cloud-driven business model, which is redefining the business landscape, especially in Malaysia.

Transform or Migrate? 

Transitioning to the cloud can be in the form of Cloud Transformation or Cloud Migration.

Broadly explained the term Cloud Transformation implies a strategic overhaul of an organisation’s technology and process. The process involves fundamentally re-thinking and redesigning the business process which in turn aims to enhance its agility and customer engagement by integrating cloud technologies into core business operations. 

Cloud Migration on the other hand is more about relocating existing systems such as applications, data and other IT resources engaged in the operational activity of a business from on-premise infrastructure to cloud environments. There is minimal architectural change to the existing systems but focuses more on operational efficiency and cost optimization.

Cloud Transformation

  • Complete overhaul of IT architecture of an organisation
  • Modernise application to leverage cloud-native features upscaling legacy systems
  • Larger upfront investments resulting in long-term ROIs 
  • Enables improved agility of services ensuring customer engagement giving a competitive edge 

Cloud Migration

  • Relocating existing applications, data, or other IT resource to the cloud
  • Cost optimisation and operational efficiency with minimal architectural changes and a pay-as-you-go model
  • Dynamic scalability of resources without huge investments in infrastructure
  • Stronger disaster recovery and less downtime

Recent data indicates a fluctuation in double digits in investment towards cloud computing by corporate leaders. By transitioning to cloud-based infrastructure and architecture of their processes and operations, they are harnessing a multitude of benefits from cost savings to improved scalability and collaboration.

To learn which transition suits your needs best, talk to the experts at Nimbus and get a free consultation today!

Public or Private?

Transitioning to the cloud can be done either through the Public cloud domain or a Private cloud domain.

Each method of deployment allows for scalability and optimisation of IT infrastructure according to individual needs, however, they differ in cost, security and customisation aspects. 

Public Cloud- infrastructure owned and operated by third-party providers (e.g., AWS, Azure and Google Cloud). This gives access to scalable resources such as servers and storage on a pay-as-you-go basis to multiple users, thereby it is cost-effective and flexible. However, there is a security concern as resources are shared with other organisations.

Private Cloud- individualised, dedicated cloud infrastructure for exclusive use by a single organisation. Offers a more secure and controlled environment with high customisation often on-premise or by a third-party provider. However, there is a high setup cost with maintenance responsibilities.

The best of both deployment methods can be achieved through a Hybrid Cloud which combines the two allowing for seamless movement of data between the environments for greater flexibility. This allows for the scalability of Public cloud with the security and control offered through the Private cloud thereby achieving a balance in optimised efficiency and costs.

Why Transition?

Cost Efficiency

This compelling and quantifiable advantage is one of the main reasons businesses are leaping to cloud computing services. There is a significant reduction in capital expenditure related to purchasing on-premise hardware and over a short period of time, lowered operational costs in IT infrastructure maintenance, especially with private cloud deployment. Cloud solutions operate on a pay-as-go model, meaning a business pays for only the resources it uses. This eliminated the need to invest in costly underutilised hardware. 

As highlighted in the article titled “ Cloud technologies are cost saving for businesses” in The Malaysian Reserve organisations adopting cloud technologies have experienced an average of 50% reduction in expenses as the investment costs for hardware and infrastructure is eliminated. The reduced expenses for hardware and maintenance lead to financial efficiency which enables businesses to allocate resources more strategically, driving for profitability and sustainability.

 

Security and Compliance

Leveraging data in the cloud has raised questions as to the security of information due to many threats such as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, malware and ransomware, insecure APIs, etc. However, today, service providers have enhanced security measures which makes data on the cloud more secure than ever. Cloud computing now offers enhanced security and compliance capabilities that mitigate such concerns. Robust security measures such as advanced encryption, regular and continuous monitoring through audits and adherence to international standards like ISO 27001, and GDPR ensure data security, help identify risks and implement safeguards. By leveraging these frameworks and standards a business can, not only reduce the risks of data breaches but also avoid any related penalties due to non-compliance of standards. Such a proactive stance on data security and compliance is paramount in the digital landscape. 

Secure your data with confidence- Nimbus is ISO 27001: 2022 certified for reliable cloud protection!

Scalability and Flexibility

Cloud transition makes allowance for the allocation of resources on demand. The scalability of cloud computing solutions ensures organisations can upscale or downscale their IT resources such as storage and computing power as per their current need, without making any significant investments in physical infrastructural changes. This adaptability is advantageous to certain organisations that experience fluctuating or seasonal workloads as it ensures optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. 

According to Gartner, by 2025, over 85% of enterprises will embrace a cloud-first strategy to leverage its scalability and flexibility benefits (Gartner). Such operational scalability and the flexibility of the pay-as-you-go pricing model enhance financial efficiency and support business growth. This approach fosters innovation and provides technological agility which allows for swift responses to market change.

Business continuity and disaster recovery

Another facet of cloud computing that has become a cornerstone of the modern digital transition of businesses is that cloud computing offers comprehensive business continuity and robust disaster recovery strategies. It supports key metrics like Recovery Time Objective (RTO)- the maximum acceptable downtime- and Recovery Point Objective- the maximum tolerable data loss. Continuous backups, data replication and automated failover capabilities ensure quick recovery of data with minimal downtime and data loss keeping in line with the Business Continuity Plan for seamless undisrupted operations. By adopting cloud-based disaster recovery solutions, businesses can enhance resilience, reduce recovery times, and ensure continuity, thereby safeguarding their operations and reputation even in the face of unexpected events.

Strategise your Business Continuity Plan with experts and ensure uninterrupted success!

Enhanced collaboration and communication

Enhancing how teams collaborate and communicate within organisations, cloud-based tools have paved the way for real-time data sharing regardless of geographic location. Businesses using cloud analytic tools can reach decisions faster with cohesive collaboration among team members reducing time-to-market effectively.  Businesses can ensure that team members access information that is necessary for their role by integrating Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Privilege Access Control (PAC) which allows for enhanced data security and optimal delegation. User permissions are aligned with job functions through the use of RBAC and PAC restricts access to high-level information where only a select few can access such. The ability to control user authority levels further enhances data security and optimal delegation. With more businesses moving towards remote work models the use of cloud technology in communication has become even more critical in increasing employee efficacy.

Innovation and competitiveness

The next step to Cloud platforms is that of bringing cutting-edge technology to the fingertips of businesses. The ultimate destination of cloud computing solutions is eventually that of innovation and competitiveness through Data Engineering Platforms. It offers a variety of tools such as AI, Machine Learning and big data analytics which can be leveraged to accelerate innovation enabling businesses to develop and deploy new solutions more swiftly than ever before. The need for complex infrastructure is eliminated leaving room for companies to bring products and services more rapidly, giving them a competitive edge in the industry.

Implementing Cloud Transformation

For organisations to achieve productivity and efficiency through cloud transition they must consider the following steps:

  1. Assess legacy infrastructure: evaluate current systems to identify areas that need improvement and consider the best strategy for transition.
  2. Develop a comprehensive transformation strategy:  develop a plan that outlines the goals of the transformation within a renewed business process.
  3.  Choose the right cloud-providing partner: select a partner that aligns with your forecasted business needs while also providing reliable infrastructure.
  4. Employee training: maximum benefits of cloud technology can only be experienced in the right hands. Make sure your employees are adequately trained in the new tools and processes. 
  5. Monitor and optmise performance: continuously assess if the effectiveness of the cloud solutions meets the evolving business needs to enjoy maximum benefits.

Facing Challenges

While leveraging Cloud Solutions for a business comes with many benefits that result in productivity and efficiency, as with any new innovation there may be a few challenges that need to be addressed.

  1. Lack of knowledge and technical expertise- in order to implement, process analyse and secure cloud computing services, businesses need employees with technical know-how. There is a severe scarcity of such skills among the IT cadre currently. This in turn causes companies to miss out on the benefits of the cloud and sometimes leads to a loss of market share and revenue. Despite there being a gap in cloud-savvy talent there is a clear overall intention of businesses to move towards the cloud in the near future. This shortage in talent could lead to delays in the transition leading to missed opportunities. This could be easily remedied by partnering with experts. 
  2. Cultural shift and adoption- along with the technology shift, this brings along a shift in the working culture if an organisation is prone to more traditional ways. Resisting change is human nature, however, organisations must nurture an environment where such change is not radical but is systematically welcoming while promoting informed collaboration to avoid such a negative impact. A smooth adoption can be fostered with the right approach, bringing in professionals who can simplify the process in a people-friendly manner.
  3. Complex legacy systems: complexities of the architecture of legacy systems can lead to integration challenges with cloud environments. A thorough assessment of the legacy systems that will identify key dependencies and use automated migration tools will help mitigate this issue. Using a hybrid cloud adoption method will ensure the gradual transition of critical workloads to the cloud. A dedicated team with the technical know-how would be able to conduct a strategic assessment and phased migration plan to minimize disruptions.

Conclusion

Transitioning to the Cloud is not a mere technological upgrade, it is a significant and strategic initiative that will drive substantial improvements in the productivity and efficiency of an organisation. By embracing cloud computing organisations benefit from enhanced flexibility, streamlined collaboration, improved data analytics capabilities, reduced operational costs, and bolstered security while fostering innovation. In an era where digital transformations are paramount, companies that prioritise cloud transformation will be uniquely positioned to thrive in the competitive landscape, easily adapt to evolving market dynamics and achieve long-term success in an increasingly digital world.

Transition to the Cloud with secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions- Start your journey today with Nimbus!

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