Organizations have been adopting networking and cloud solutions for years, but the pandemic — and the subsequent shift in many sectors to remote work — accelerated that transition. But what does that mean going forward? As options proliferate, how do decision makers find a solution that fits?
Networks and cloud are the future. Many everyday business applications have already transitioned to the cloud — or are headed there rapidly. Telephone, voice, video, email and business applications are all cloud-based. And networks are the critical path to reaching them securely and privately.
“By 2023, Gartner predicts that the number of enterprises that have 100% of their applications and data in the cloud will be double that of 2020.”
The pandemic has forced organizations of all sizes, in all verticals, to think about the applications they depend on to operate, sell, service and report. Where are they? How easily — and more importantly, how securely — can they be accessed by staff working remotely?
“The ‘big names’ make the big news — so they’re always top of mind. Planning a move to the cloud involves more than a big name though.”
If you’re a business or agency considering new cloud or networking solutions, big names might feel like the obvious choice. But they’re not right for everyone. Sometimes selecting a smaller, more focused vendor can be the right choice. Smaller vendors often serve you better, and negotiating with a company that isn’t a “big name” often gives you more power.
Make sure any cloud or networking decision you make considers the skills and resources you have (and need), the level of support you expect, your budget and requirements, and how much flexibility you’ll expect for your provider.
Watch Geoff Hultin’s Ticker News interview for more insight into the future of networking and cloud.