Accelerating Mobility and Security for Critical Applications With Cloud-Managed Services

In an era defined by remote work and the demand for mobile accessibility, the ability to access critical applications from various devices and locations is not just a convenience but a necessity.

Critical applications are the lifeblood of diverse industries like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and e-commerce. These include ERP systems, CRM platforms, and databases.

Ensuring continuous user access, regardless of location, is essential for these applications to run smoothly and this is where the profound significance of cloud-managed services becomes manifest. Let’s look at the following: As per a research report titled “Cloud Managed Services Market by Service Type (Managed Business, Managed Network, Managed Security, Managed Infrastructure, Managed Mobility), Organization Size, Vertical (BFSI, Telecom, Retail & Consumer Goods, IT), and Region – Global Forecast to 2027” released by MarketsandMarkets, the projected growth indicates that the Cloud Managed Services market is anticipated to expand from  $99.0 billion in the year 2022 to $164.0 billion by the year 2027.

These services have emerged as a transformative force in accelerating mobility and reinforcing the security of critical applications. The article is an attempt to delve into the key ways in which cloud-managed services are reshaping the landscape for these mission-critical tools. 

6 Ways Cloud-Managed Services Are Enhancing Mobility, Security, and More

Let’s delve into the key aspects of how cloud-managed services accelerate mobility and security for critical applications. 

1. Scalability and Flexibility:

When critical applications need to accommodate a growing user base or increased workloads, cloud services can effortlessly expand to meet these demands. For instance,  When popular e-commerce platforms experience a surge in online traffic during a holiday sale cloud services allow them to seamlessly expand the server capacity to handle the increased demand, ensuring that customers can access the website without slowdowns or crashes. An expanding insurance company experiences heightened traffic to its website. The surge in visitors leads to a slowdown in server performance, causing delays on the site and impacting customer service. In response, the company opts to vertically scale up by migrating its website to a larger virtual machine (VM) to enhance server performance.

Moreover, cloud solutions enable flexibility in accessing applications. Users can seamlessly access critical applications from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility empowers remote and mobile workers, ensuring they can access the applications they need from home,  on-the-go, or in the office.

2. Robust Security Measures:

Security is a top concern for critical applications, and cloud-managed services are well-equipped to provide comprehensive security solutions for businesses. Were you aware that a survey conducted in 2023 among board members of global organizations revealed that 36 percent of them harbor concerns about the potential exposure of their internal data due to a cyberattack? Cloud-managed services provide round-the-clock monitoring and threat detection, promptly addressing potential security issues. In case of a security breach or incident, these services enable swift response and recovery, reducing downtime and data loss.

Nowadays, numerous healthcare institutions depend on cloud-managed electronic health records (EHR) to securely store sensitive patient data. The cloud provider implements cutting-edge security measures, encompassing encryption, stringent access controls, multi-factor authentication, and advanced firewall configurations. These measures safeguard patient information against potential cyber threats, ensuring the privacy of medical records. 

3. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

As per a survey conducted in 2021, global organizations are foreseeing a shift to cloud-based data storage as an integral component of their business continuity and disaster recovery strategies. While approximately one-third of respondents indicated the use of cloud disaster recovery as a service solutions in 2022, more than half expect to adopt such solutions by 2023. Critical applications are, well, critical. Downtime can result in financial losses, damaged reputation, and compromised operations. As a solution cloud-managed services offer data replication, automated backup, and failover solutions that ensure critical applications remain available even in the face of hardware failures or natural disasters.

As an example, stock exchanges now depend on cloud-managed services to guarantee continuous trading operations. These services encompass data replication, automated backup, and failover solutions that guarantee the availability of critical trading applications, even in the face of hardware failures or unforeseen events.

This resilience contributes to the security of critical applications, assuring organizations that their data and operations are safeguarded against unforeseen disruptions.

4. Cost Efficiency:

Think of a medium-sized manufacturing company that used to manage its critical production data with its own expensive on-site servers. It meant significant upfront costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, and a dedicated IT team.

Currently, businesses have transitioned to cloud-managed services utilizing a pay-as-you-go model. This indicates they are charged solely for their actual usage, which aligns with their production needs. When demand is high, the cloud scales up, and when it’s low, it scales down, aligning costs with actual usage.

This change has resulted in substantial cost savings for the manufacturing company. Organizations no longer have to invest in costly hardware or employ a large IT team. These savings can be reinvested in essential operations, like enhancing product quality, expanding production capacity, or advancing research and development. Cloud-managed services demonstrate their cost-effectiveness, making them widely applicable across different industries.

5. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements:

Many industries, especially those dealing with sensitive data, have strict compliance and regulatory requirements. Cloud-managed services often have dedicated teams focused on ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations. This can be a significant relief for organizations that need to adhere to standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI DSS.

Consider the legal sector, where confidentiality and data protection are paramount. Law firms utilizing cloud-managed services can be confident that their systems align with regulations, such as GDPR, to safeguard sensitive client information and maintain the highest levels of privacy and security.

6. Collaborative Tools and Features:

In the post-pandemic environment with people working remotely, collaboration tools are more important than ever. Cloud-managed services often come with a suite of collaborative features, making it easier for teams to work together, share data, and access critical applications seamlessly.

To exemplify, multinational corporations with employees and partners spread across the globe have started relying on cloud-managed services to streamline collaboration. These services encompass secure file sharing, real-time document editing, video conferencing, and project management tools, facilitating seamless collaboration for remote teams. This boosts productivity and helps organizations efficiently achieve their goals as if they were working in the same office.

Strategies for Implementing Cloud-Managed Services for Critical Applications

Now that we understand the benefits, it’s time to explore some strategies for successfully implementing cloud-managed services for critical applications:

  • Assess Your Needs

Before making the transition to cloud-managed services, conduct a thorough assessment of your organization’s requirements. Understand the specific critical applications you need to migrate, the expected user volume, and your security and compliance needs. 

  • Choose the Right Cloud Service Provider

Select a cloud service provider that aligns with your organization’s goals and industry requirements. Consider factors such as data center locations, security features, scalability, and pricing models. Popular cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer a wide range of managed services to choose from.

  •  Data Migration and Testing

Migrating critical applications to the cloud should be a well-planned and executed process. Start with a pilot project to test the migration and ensure that all essential functionalities are preserved. Data migration tools and methodologies must be carefully chosen to minimize disruptions.

  • Regular Monitoring and Optimization

Continuously monitor the performance of your critical applications in the cloud. Utilize cloud management tools to identify areas for improvement and optimization. Scalability and cost efficiency are key benefits of cloud-managed services, so make sure to leverage these advantages.

Bottom Line

It is undeniable that cloud-managed services are the dynamic bridge to a future where critical applications can thrive, unburdened by the limitations of traditional operating models. They enable organizations to not only meet the demands of today but also embrace the possibilities of tomorrow, fostering a more agile and secure digital landscape.

https://synoptek.com/insights/it-blogs/benefits-of-engaging-a-cloud-managed-services-provider/

 

References

  1. https://synoptek.com/insights/it-blogs/benefits-of-engaging-a-cloud-managed-services-provider/ 

  2. https://appinventiv.com/blog/benefits-of-cloud-managed-services/ 

  3. https://www.veritis.com/blog/cloud-implementation-services-solutions-benefits/ 

  4. https://synoptek.com/insights/it-blogs/10-best-practices-for-successful-cloud-implementation/

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