At Nexinite, we often hear the question: “I’ve migrated, but now what?” Many companies move to the cloud because they believe it offers a better way to manage data. However, once the migration is complete, they wonder how to use the cloud effectively.
Gone are the days of relying on floppy disks and flash drives to store information, only to struggle to find it later. Cloud computing allows data to be stored on secure, off-site servers and accessed digitally when needed.
According to Gartner, nearly $400 billion was projected to be spent on cloud computing in 2022. Leftronic reports that about 90% of companies already use some form of cloud service. Clearly, cloud computing is a major part of today’s business landscape.
But just because everyone is using it doesn’t mean they’re using it well.
Below are two ways to ensure that cloud computing truly enhances efficiency for your company.
(Side note: If you haven’t migrated yet, reach out to us. Our process includes both the migration phase and the “now what” phase. We make sure you understand the benefits and best practices of cloud computing.)
Use Your Licenses Wisely
A 2020 study by CoreView found that over 50% of Microsoft Office 365 licenses are misused. After surveying five million enterprise workers, they discovered that licenses are often underutilized, oversized (providing more access than necessary), unassigned, or not reassigned when employees leave.
The first step in addressing the “now what” question is to review your licenses. This is the initial step we take when companies ask for cloud strategy or migration assistance—and it shouldn’t be overlooked.
For instance, we worked with a client whose employees had oversized licenses, such as access to Power BI, despite not needing it. By identifying these inefficiencies, we saved the client money and optimized their license structure.
While this task may seem daunting, it is essential. It provides clarity on the cloud services your company has purchased, how they’re being used, and helps with budgeting decisions.
Key questions to consider:
- What licenses are you paying for?
- Do license levels match employee needs?
- Are you paying twice for the same service due to overlapping providers?
Plan for Education
Whenever we buy a new appliance or vehicle, there’s always a learning curve. We might struggle with the new microwave’s settings or forget to account for extra time needed to understand the controls in a new car. Similarly, migrating to cloud services comes with a learning curve.
One of the most effective ways to address the “now what” question is to plan for it.
That’s why we revamped our cloud migration process to include “implementation and training.” Without proper education, team members may struggle to use cloud services effectively, leading to low adoption rates and frustration—neither of which benefit your business.
Have You Migrated?
Is your company using the cloud confidently? Are you seeing its benefits?
If you find yourself asking, “Now what?” reach out to us. We specialize in answering that question. Many clients come to us frustrated and confused, but after we help them optimize licenses and create an education plan, they experience the true advantages of cloud computing.
It’s a win-win: They’re happy in the cloud, and we’re happy they’re happy. Basically, we’re all on cloud nine. (We’ve been waiting to use that line!)
Sources
CoreView. (2020, April 7). 56% of Businesses’ Microsoft Office 365 Licenses are Not Fully Exploited, CoreView Research Finds. Business Wire.
🔗 https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200407005154/en/56-of-Businesses%E2%80%99-Microsoft-Office-365-Licenses-are-Not-Fully-Exploited-CoreView-Research-Finds
Gartner. (2021, April 4). Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Grow 23% in 2021. Gartner.
🔗 https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-04-21-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-public-cloud-end-user-spending-to-grow-23-percent-in-2021
Leftronic. (2021, January 8). 28 Captivating Cloud Computing Statistics. Leftronic.
🔗 https://leftronic.com/blog/cloud-computing-statistics/
