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The cloud, as we all know, is a virtual location on the internet to store files, applications, databases, servers, etc. Cloud computing has created an entirely new dimension of the internet and is a game-changer in the era of sharing and exchanging information. Cloud gives an agile, scalable, cost-effective solution to meet the current business requirements. So cloud is becoming the next big thing in the IT industry. Cloud brings flexibility to your business along with security, scalability, and accessibility, thus making it a viable business strategy having economic advantages. Therefore, many organizations consider cloud technology the first option to solve their business problems.
A cloud-first strategy is an approach in which you consider cloud computing solutions before anything else in addressing existing or new processes and problems. This strategy helps organizations explore the possibilities of what the cloud can do and thus get the most out of their investment. In a cloud-first approach, teams move most of their infrastructure to the cloud computing platforms like AWS, Azure, etc. The most mission-critical resources are transferred to the cloud instead of physical servers. Cloud-first strategies have many business benefits and benefits for operations teams also. It feels like a giant leap from the traditional setup when you adopt a cloud-first approach and feel like you are in control. You understand your security processes and can easily verify and follow them.
Cost and value are the driving forces behind the cloud-first strategy. You can build your system piece by piece, depending on your needs, with low equipment and maintenance costs than on-site server solutions. Organizations can upgrade as and when needed with cost-effective upgrade options. You also get access to powerful software and platform and skilled support for specific services. Another strength of the cloud-first strategy is its collaboration tools; by using them, you can increase the speed of delivery of updates, repairs, and other improvements. These are some reasons why many companies opt for cloud-first strategies.
However, a common misconception about cloud-first is that the cloud is the only answer to everything. It is commonly known as the cloud-only mentality, which can often lead to failure. Cloud-only strategy means that all computing is done via a cloud service provider and that traditional software is no longer an option. This approach is not correct. If the value is clear, other options are very much available. Some apps and processes are better suited for others than the cloud and vice-versa. Hence prioritization is necessary. In a cloud-first mindset, the first option you should consider is cloud, but that doesn't mean you have no other option. For some reason, organizations will continue their on-site infrastructure. Therefore, companies should consider their current and future technological needs and choose accordingly.
Scalability is the most publicized benefit of the cloud. With auto-scaling, the cloud provider can automatically scale the resources dedicated to an app. Your cloud service provider takes you to the following resource tier when your memory usage is too high. You can upgrade your servers when you experience a big traffic spike so your customers are not affected.
Financial savings is another critical point in a cloud-first strategy. Building, managing, and scaling legacy hardware and servers is costly and requires significant time. The cloud-first approach generally reduces hosting costs and equipment and license fees. The cost of entry in the cloud is much less than traditional solutions. Hardware in the cloud is also typically cheaper to manage than on-premises solutions.
Productivity is enhanced in a cloud-first strategy in various ways. The cloud-first approach enables remote working and streamlines business management systems across all departments. Data analysis accelerates in cloud-first businesses. Cloud provides seamless communication and collaboration between team members, whether in the same room or miles apart, and this boosts the productivity of your business.
Security and data protection are the top drivers of cloud migration. The risk of theft or damage is considerably reduced with the cloud. Your data is safely stored in the cloud and can quickly recover if a disaster strikes. This helps your business to get back to normal quickly and with ease. Accessing your data stored in the cloud from anywhere, 24/7, is highly beneficial for remote working. Thus adopting a cloud-first strategy is a big boost for your organization's security.
Someone has to service the hardware when there is a service outage or power-offs, leading to the failure of a critical server. No one likes doing this. In the cloud, the maintenance belongs to the cloud service provider. They maintain the hardware and make sure that there are uninterrupted power supplies. The providers configure automatic failover to back up the data center even when the entire data center goes offline. Lastly, it would help if you saw what your app is doing at a glance. Cloud makes this process much more accessible, thus giving you excellent visibility in your apps and operations.
