Cloud transformation remains a top priority for companies. As noted by a recent Gartner forecast, all cloud segments — public, private and hybrid — will see double-digit growth in 2025. And by 2027, 90% of businesses will run on hybrid cloud models.
It’s one thing to track market trends, but it’s another to make the move. From infrastructure to applications to bandwidth and latency needs, cloud transformation can be complex and time-consuming.
Managed IT services help simplify and streamline the process. Here’s how.
How Managed IT Services Support Cloud Transformation
The result of cloud transformation is a net positive for businesses. Resources are available on demand, storage scales as needed and companies (typically) only pay for what they use.
But the process of transformation also brings challenges. Using managed IT services, businesses are better prepared to address common concerns, such as:
Navigating Complex Cloud Architecture
Public? Private? Hybrid? Single- or multi-cloud? Hyperscalers or purpose-built cloud solutions?
When it comes to cloud architecture, companies have choices — in many cases, so many choices that it’s difficult to pinpoint which approach is the most efficient and cost effective.
Managed IT providers help navigate complex architectures with a complete analysis of your current IT environment. This allows service providers to suggest cloud adoption practices that minimize false starts and limit overspending.
Optimizing Cloud Infrastructure
Speaking of overspending, managed services can help discover opportunities for optimization.
For example, if a company is funneling data from multiple cloud services through a central, on-site database for analysis, managed providers may suggest consolidating clouds into a single, consistent architecture to reduce traffic volumes and latency.
Implementing Robust Cloud Cybersecurity and Compliance
Data in the cloud requires protection from cyber threats, and no matter where or how data is stored, companies are responsible for compliance with relevant regulations such as GDPR, PCI DSS and HIPAA.
Providers can help organizations implement and maintain robust security and compliance policies with comprehensive threat assessments and GDPR or HIPPA risk assessments that pinpoint key areas for improvement.
Making the Move with Managed IT: Three Big Benefits
Managed services help companies reduce the time between cloud transformation and return on investment (ROI) thanks to three big benefits:
- Accelerated adoption
Reduced complexity and improved compliance allow businesses to accelerate their cloud adoption. Managed providers help ensure that cloud frameworks are simple, stable and secure, meaning organizations can scale up transformation without worrying about potential breaches or data protection missteps.
Managed providers can also provide ongoing assistance to companies in the form of recommendations for new services or connected applications, increasing the efficacy of cloud deployments.
2. Reduced operational overhead
Making cloud transformation mistakes can be costly. Consider a company moving from on-site databases to public cloud storage options. With no experience in the cloud, they decide to shift all local data into the cloud. Almost immediately, security and performance issues emerge. Users are constantly waiting for data to be transferred and processed, and cloud access is poorly controlled, putting sensitive data at risk.
Within months, the business has moved data back on-site, forcing them to start their cloud search again and leaving them poorer for the experience. Managed service providers can reduce overspending and minimize operational overhead by identifying cost-effective cloud services that align with business practices.
3. Increased focus on core business objectives
IT teams have their hands full managing security, performance, and the changing culture of remote and hybrid work. Adding cloud transformation to their list means little (or no) time to focus on core business objectives, such as leveraging in-depth data analytics to discover new trends or deploying new technologies such as Generative AI.
Managed service providers can handle as much (or as little) of the cloud transformation process as needed, freeing up time for IT staff to maximize the ROI of existing technologies and explore the benefits of innovative solutions.
More Than Meets the Eye
Cloud transformation is a complex, multilayered process. What appears simple on the surface can lead to unexpected challenges and rising costs, in turn frustrating the shift to distributed computing frameworks.
Managed IT services can help companies adopt a purpose-driven approach to cloud transformation. By carrying out comprehensive infrastructure, operational, and risk assessments, trusted IT providers pave the way for accelerated adoption, reduced overhead and improved business value.
