Getting Clients Ready for an 88% Increase in Cloud Adoption

Steve Law

Research by the United Kingdom’s Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) recently found that the cloud delivered for more than 90% of U.K. public limited companies when tackling the challenge that COVID-19 presented organisations. The same research points out that 69% of firms surveyed sped up digital transformation plans and that 88% expect the adoption of cloud services to increase in the next 12 months.

CIF’s research also makes it clear cloud applications have been the saving grace for many organisations during most of 2020. As many firms strived to adapt and become agile, adopt remote working technologies, change operations and maintain resilience; the cloud – especially business continuity and productivity solutions – has become that dependent pillar of strength for many firms. This year is no exception to the rule, either. COVID-19 hasn’t abated, despite the development of vaccines. Countries are entering second and third lockdowns and many economies are in recession.

Times will continue to be challenging for organisations globally and our new normal continues to see remote/hybrid working thrive as a way of driving productivity for many firms. Within this environment, cloud applications continue to form part of the foundation that drives future growth. Cloud – specifically business continuity applications – will continue to provide opportunities to support businesses through 2021.

Remote Work Drives Need for Central Repository of Data

The trend toward remote and/or hybrid working continues to prevail, especially as the pandemic thrives and governments encourage information and communication technologies (ITCs) to remain prepared and offer the right tools and services to people to work at home. Therefore, it is crucial for support their customers’ transition to these new styles of working.

Moreover, research revealed two-thirds of UK workers feel uncomfortable returning to a physical workplace. This stresses the importance for businesses to mobilise themselves rapidly and move their infrastructure to the cloud to drive and maintain productivity.

At the heart of it, the cloud provides organisations a central repository to move resources online. This means any employee can access necessary information remotely to work.

Further, with various work-from-home measures in place, it means that it is difficult for ITCs to enter their customers’ offices to access important tools and resources. With these out of physical reach, due to social distancing measures and lockdowns, cloud and online access circumvents this challenge.

Effective MSPs Drive Value from Cloud Subscriptions

It’s not just a centralised repository of information that businesses can derive value from. It is important that workforces take advantage of the features included in all their cloud subscriptions.

Through a relationship with an effective managed service provider (MSP) that can provide training, education and support around shifting to the cloud, organisations can benefit from a comprehensive list of additional features within their packages to enable them to manage and grow a business in today’s uncertain pandemic-led world. This is where the role of the right MSP is critical. It is their job to make this switch as seamless as possible by taking on the planning and implementation, as well as having the expert knowledge of how cloud infrastructure can benefit the business and smooth over any possible obstacles.

For example, many companies had access to Microsoft365 packages, but Microsoft Teams often wasn’t …