The onset of the pandemic did more to educate people about cloud technology and services than any journal or trade show ever could. As companies were forced to move their operations to multiple remote locations with very little notice, they were forced to learn about the options available to them. The demand for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all increased exponentially – as did their revenue. Once the pandemic eased and personnel were allowed to return to work, many companies decided that the model was actually more productive and cost-effective than they ever dreamed – and so are seeking ways to evolve into further cloud-based operations in the near future.
Still, many individuals at the executive level – who had no choice but to follow the lead of their IT experts – may not understand what the cloud offers. IT techs now accustomed to the ease and flexibility that the cloud offers need to make sure that everyone understands the concept, as it is clearly here to stay.
Cloud Technology Saved (and Grew) Revenue
The infrastructure of the public cloud permitted companies to attack the reality of lockdowns and closures head-on. Those who thrived were able to change their models rapidly, showing resilience with innovative business models, and developing and mobilizing new apps in record time, keeping suddenly disconnected workers more practically connected.
The virus held business at gunpoint for a moment in time, but they quickly defused the situation by learning to use cloud technology to position speed and customer experience as a priority. Needing to do so without losing cost-efficiency drove most directly to the cloud. By the months of 2020, the four most established public clouds had seen strong revenue growth.
Innovation (even forced innovation) can rapidly sideline more traditionally accepted solutions. Tech experts expect that disaster recovery and business continuity sites located on-premise will soon be a thing of the past, made obsolete by cloud technology. As often happens, unprepared businesses before any crisis come into sharp focus once that crisis occurs, and such was the case during the pandemic. no one saw a mass exodus to home environments coming, but the businesses with the most preparation and resiliency fared well. This meant that those companies who already had cloud technology backups could respond with the greatest agility.
The pandemic was the final straw for many, giving up once and for all on their on-premise backup plans and shifting business continuity/disaster recovery entirely to the cloud. (Much to the joy of consultants who have been pushing said solutions for years.) Not to mention, most organizations resistant to implementing the cloud prior to 2020 have proven willing to stick with it now that they have seen its benefits in real-time.
As cloud technology continues its evolution and finds its place, innovative organizations will continue to lead the way. Still, it is the responsibility of every business owner, great or small, to investigate how the now-proven cloud can positively impact their bottom line and efficiency.
For more information on how cloud services can boost your business and capitalize on the lessons learned over the last few years, call Alliance IT for a consultation.
