“Cloud” is a buzzword that has been around for a while now, and while many have taken advantage of cloud computing, others still aren’t convinced that it is the future. Though it can be intimidating to move to new technology, the cloud provides undeniable benefits that can no longer be ignored. Cloud computing is the future of business, and as 2014 quickly approaches, we want to share why the cloud makes sense for the New Year.
How the Cloud has Helped Others
In a case study on the Target Corporation, they analyzed how the national retail chain saved a substantial amount of money by moving its servers to an on-premises cloud. At the time, Target had around 1755 retail stores that each ran on seven servers to track inventory, run the cashier terminals and support various other workflows. 1755×7? That adds up to a lot of servers. So Target chose a Virtualization solution to solve these issues for its stores in the United States. It experimented with a two-server private cloud appliance and found that it easily ran the seven application and database servers. This large-scale implementation offered major cost savings in the form of reduction in hardware, energy and labor costs. Due to fewer physical machines, its monthly maintenance costs also decreased. Target reduced spending by millions of dollars a year, money that instead could be focused on improving the overall business and differentiating the shopping experience offered to guests.
While cloud computing can help save money, it also improves other essential areas of businesses, including overall efficiency. UK in-flight caterer Alpha LSG serves 16 airports, providing not only catering, but also in-flight retail and logistics services. The company was facing issues with productivity, development and cost when it decided to modernize its infrastructure by moving to the cloud. The two companies faced an ambitious migration project that included moving all business data, applications and employees to the cloud and replacing more than 500 desktops with thin clients and virtual desktops, all in a matter of three months. While they have saved a significant amount of money, it also saw multiple additional improvements. They were able to scale up to tackle seasonal peaks, overcome licensing issues, experience flexibility, optimize business processes and improve business continuity and disaster recovery. Alpha LSG IT director, Charlie Goakes, explained how the move “dramatically [increased] efficiency and [gave them] the flexibility [needed] to compete in a constantly evolving and competitive marketplace.”
Making the Cloud a Reality for Your Business
Wouldn’t you like to say that about your business? These aren’t rare cases. The massive benefits Target and Alphsa LSG experienced can be a reality for any business. Making the move to cloud computing can completely revolutionize the way companies run, saving time, money and stress for all. RapidScale is focused on changing the world of business by providing multiple leading cloud solutions and superior customer support to businesses of all sizes. As a leading and rapidly growing cloud company, we enable our customers to simplify their IT operations and provide multiple benefits including cost savings, improved efficiency, scalability, flexibility and security. The cloud is here to stay, and it will only continue to grow as we move into the New Year. That’s why RapidScale constantly looks to the future, changing the way we do business today by providing the next generation of computing.
