Cloud computing continues to gain traction within organizations – a recent Gartner report shows that across key areas of enterprise technology, investment in cloud services is expected to rise from 19 per cent of spending in 2018 to 28 per cent by 2022. You’re likely already using the cloud for certain processes, but have you thought about or explored additional uses for the technology? Why not make 2019 the year you re-examine the cloud and unlock all its potential? You can start by making at least one of the following five resolutions this year:
- Know all your options in the cloud.
Even if you’re not planning on implementing new cloud solutions in the immediate future, it’s never too early to start researching what’s out there. With the number of options currently on the market, knowing where to start can be a bit overwhelming. This year, pick a platform such as Microsoft Azure and do a deep dive into its features and benefits. Always refer back to your individual business needs and plans, and match up the solution’s offerings with your unique goals. How can it streamline your processes in 2019? How can it reduce cost and increase efficiencies? Will this solution help your business achieve its long-term goals? If you’re still unsure where to begin, CDW Canada has a certified team of specialists to help you assess if the cloud is right for your organization, and determine the best way to move to the cloud if it is the best solution. - Make security in the cloud top of mind.
Security might already be a top priority across all your business and IT processes (if it isn’t already, consider our new year’s security resolutions), but it’s important to consider the impact of cloud security in 2019. Tools such as the SonicWall Capture Cloud Platform harness the flexibility and scalability of cloud technology to integrate security, management, analytics and real-time threat intelligence across CDW Canada’s full portfolio of network, email, mobile and cloud security products. - Embrace digital transformation.
Digital transformation is more than just an industry buzz term — it’s a new way of doing business. However, some businesses are resistant to change, especially when it comes to operations, and are happy to continue doing what’s always worked in the past. If you haven’t already, make a resolution to embrace digital transformation. The cloud is playing a pivotal role in enabling businesses to execute an effective digital transformation strategy, making a number of options — such as data analytics, numerous software offerings and immediate access to resources — more affordable and accessible to smaller organizations. If it’s not yet on your radar, make 2019 the year you examine the benefits for your organization. - Adopt collaborative cloud tools.
Any good business manager knows that a happy employee is a productive employee. One way of ensuring your employees are happy is to give them the proper tools to do their jobs, and the cloud has been instrumental in enabling new choose your own workstyle (CYOW) models. The 21st century workplace relies heavily on collaboration tools to give workers the flexibility they demand, and cloud services are becoming the dominant deployment option for collaborative apps. Citrix, for example, has developed cloud versions of its entire product line and cloud tools such as Cisco Webex allow for quick and easy collaboration, across a wide range of devices. This year, resolving to share the cloud with your workers could produce dramatic improvements in efficiency. - Simplify service with the cloud.
‘Keep it simple’ is a good adage both for personal and business life. Though technology has brought tremendous advantages, the number of solutions and processes can also lead to complex and unwieldy operations. The new year is a great time to evaluate systems in place and determine where you can simplify and streamline procedures. Solutions such as hybrid cloud environments can be indispensable in this process, offering businesses the option of using both private and public clouds as it suits their needs. For example, companies can lessen the complexities of an on-premise data centre by moving completely to the public cloud. For those that want to maintain a tighter hold on certain processes, they can keep some operations on the private cloud. Whatever works for your organization, the end result should be a simpler and more effective way to run your business.
CDW works with organizations of all sizes and verticals, offering comprehensive advice and unrivaled expertise in everything cloud, from storage and security to compute, backup and beyond.. Consider cloud technology to help achieve your resolutions and make 2019 a prosperous year for your organization. Learn more about our cloud solutions and services.
Click here to read our blog on 5 Resolutions for Improving Your IT Security in 2019.
