When reading cloud computing surveys I constantly bump into the same arguments why companies hold back from investing in it; evidence of cost savings, assurances regarding reliability, security and potential loss of control. These arguments and concerns reflect earlier concerns when email, the Internet and instant messaging entered the workplace, for example.

Confusion all over

Although the majority of companies have heard about cloud computing, there is still much confusion about the definition of it. Perhaps this confusion – in combination with ignorance – is responsible for not investing in cloud computing. Cloud computing touches many different technologies, thus organizations should invest time in understanding how the cloud will affect network security, access control and infrastructure costs. If I don’t have much knowledge about a specific subject (yet), how can I have an objective opinion about it and take a thought-out decision?

Those that took the plunge

Those companies that have overcome skepticism or resistance with cloud computing report business benefits and accelerating use of cloud-based technologies. By turning to cloud computing, companies are able to free up resources to focus on their core business; increasing customer satisfaction, improve profits, win market share, etc.

A nice example

If your core business is not IT, why should you invest resources, time and money in owning and managing an infrastructure? Your infrastructure should be supportive in meeting your business initiatives. A good, recent example is Recovery.gov – the first US government-wide-system that moved to the cloud. The Board expects savings of about USD 700,000 during its current budget cycle, is able to free up resources to focus on its core mission of delivering rich content for its users without worrying about managing the website’s underlying data center, improve computer security and has the opportunity to redirect more than USD 1 million in computer hardware and software to oversight operations.

Moving to the cloud allows companies provide better service at lower costs. Isn’t that something we are all looking for in the end?

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