Cloud Computing and IT Outsourcing: Benefits for Businesses from Moving Infrastructure to the Cloud

In the dynamic world of information technology, cloud computing has emerged as a revolutionary force, transforming the way companies manage and process data. According to the 2023 State of the Cloud Report, cloud computing is used mostly by industries related to technology (32%) and finance (20%). The largest number of people who participated in the survey work with the cloud in the IT department (44%). This innovative technology offers many benefits, becoming an indispensable tool for companies looking to modernize their infrastructure. In this article, I will delve deeper into cloud computing, exploring its benefits, models, and role in IT outsourcing.

How do IT companies use cloud solutions?

IT companies are increasingly using cloud solutions for various areas of work. These activities allow for scalability and flexibility in managing IT resources. This is crucial for companies that must quickly respond to changing market needs and system loads. In addition, by using cloud services, companies can significantly reduce the costs associated with maintaining IT infrastructure. Models based on subscriptions and paying only for used services allow for optimization of expenses. Analysis of the 2023 State of the Cloud Report data allows us to draw several key conclusions about how companies use cloud computing services. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Popularity of Data Warehousing and DBaaS

The high percentage of companies using Data Warehousing and DBaaS (relational and NoSQL) shows that data management and analysis are central aspects of cloud use. Access to efficient, scalable and elastic solutions for data storage and processing is a key factor attracting companies to the cloud.

The Importance of Serverless and Container Services

The significant number of companies using Serverless and Container-as-a-Service services indicates a growing need for flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Containerization and serverless architectures allow companies to deploy applications faster and manage resources more efficiently.

Development of AI and IoT technologies in the cloud

Investments in machine learning, AI, and IoT show that companies are increasingly focused on innovation and want to use the latest technologies to gain a competitive advantage. The cloud offers a platform that allows these advanced technologies to be implemented easily and effectively.

DRaaS as a Key Element of Business Strategy

The significant percentage of companies using DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service) indicates a growing awareness of the importance of business continuity and risk management. The cloud enables companies to implement more resilient and scalable disaster recovery strategies.

The most important challenges arising from using cloud solutions

The 2023 State of the Cloud Report on current trends and challenges related to the use of cloud solutions by companies, reveals the key challenges facing the IT industry.

The 3 main challenges are: 

• Managing Cloud Spend (82%) – This is the biggest challenge today, indicating the increasing complexity and costs associated with maintaining and scaling cloud infrastructure. Companies are looking to optimize costs and increase the efficiency of their cloud investments.
• Security (79%) – Although it has fallen to second place among challenges, it remains a key pain point for organizations. According to the latest 2023 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, global cybersecurity employment has grown to 5.5 million, an 8.7% increase compared to 2022. Despite this, the cybersecurity gap has reached a record high, as 4 million professionals are needed to properly protect digital assets .
• Lack of resources/expertise (78%) – This issue highlights the challenges of recruiting and retaining the skilled IT staff needed to manage and optimise cloud environments. Businesses face skills gaps that can impact the efficiency and innovation of their cloud operations. According to the 2023 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 75% of cybersecurity professionals said the current threat landscape is the most challenging in the past five years. Only 52% believe their organisations have the right tools and people to respond to cyberattack incidents .

Cloud computing development and IT outsourcing – what are the benefits?

Cloud adoption is growing, with 97% of all enterprises using some form of cloud service, and 48% of companies storing their most important and sensitive data in the cloud . Despite the challenges, cloud technology’s growth is all but guaranteed – according to a Gartner report, spending on public cloud services will exceed $480 billion this year and $1 trillion by 2027 .

Such predictions are not surprising, considering that the cloud has gained importance over the past two decades due to its ability to scale, operate quickly, and be flexible. What are the benefits of using cloud computing in the IT industry, especially when considering outsourcing IT specialists?

Efficiency of remote collaboration

Cloud environments facilitate better collaboration by allowing remote teams to access, edit, and share documents anytime, anywhere. This promotes better teamwork and increases the fluidity of individual tasks.

Automatic updates and security 

The cloud provider typically handles system updates and server maintenance, freeing up internal IT teams to focus on more strategic tasks. Cloud services also allow for disaster recovery. Backup makes it easier to manage information and maintain tasks in the event of a cyberattack.

High availability

Cloud computing allows employees to access corporate data via smartphones and devices. This is a great way to ensure that no one is left out of the information loop, especially if the company outsources IT engineering.

Cost efficiency

Cloud computing reduces the need for significant capital investments in hardware and infrastructure. It shifts the budget to a more predictable operating expense model, where you pay for what you use. This means that companies can save on the costs of maintaining their own IT infrastructure.

What is the future of cloud computing?

As organizations continue to migrate toward modernizing systems, adapting to hybrid work models, and responding to new challenges, cloud technologies are becoming increasingly important. Gartner’s report highlights four key trends that are currently shaping the development of the public cloud:

• the ubiquity of the cloud,
• regional cloud ecosystem systems,
• sustainable development and carbon awareness,
• automatically programmable infrastructure of infrastructure service providers and cloud platforms.

The advancement of wireless communication, especially in 5G technology, is further strengthening the popularity of cloud-based solutions. At the same time, outsourcing IT engineers has never been as popular and thoughtful as it is today, which opens up new opportunities for companies in terms of effective management of technological resources. In these dynamic times, it becomes crucial for IT professionals to understand and use these trends to optimize and innovate their organizations.