2. Can Your IT Team Be Put to Better Use?
Smaller data centers require fewer network technicians, storage managers, backup operators, hardware jockeys and administrative staff. Accordingly, cloud environments allow valuable staff to shift into more strategic roles, focusing on higher-value projects. You'll never get to zero if you have data on-premises, but these human costs should be part of the decision of where to put a workload.
3. How Do You Manage Your Data?
Storage, backups and disaster recovery are all major components of computing budgets. Cloud providers do a good job of segmenting storage into high-performance and archival offerings, with matched tier pricing. The economics of on-premises storage are less flexible. But there are costs to moving data in and out of cloud environments, especially in large volumes. If splitting a load between on-premises and cloud requires a lot of data to be shifted back and forth, this is another cost component to consider.
DISCOVER: How cloud-based management is delivering benefits for financial institutions.
4. How Flexible Is Your Budget?
On-premises computing is typically a capital expense, with continuing fixed commitments for real estate and utilities. Cloud computing moves these costs to the operational side of the budget, a variable that can be adjusted up or down as the business requires. In a period of uncertainty or rapid change, having fewer budget commitments offers real economic value all on its own. However, maximum flexibility comes at the highest unit cost. IT managers should take advantage of cloud providers’ pricing plans and usage commitments where the need is predictable and clear.
