An agile business is an adaptable business. And one of the best ways to achieve flexibility and maximize your growth potential is to use IT services that can easily grow or shrink with the needs of your business.

Cloud technologies are a go-to for companies that experience the swing of boom-or-bust sales cycles or are growing at a fast clip and need more server capacity NOW. With a phone call, it’s easy for businesses to bump up or scale back the load on their cloud servers without having to overspend on in-house equipment that aren’t used to capacity or shop to replace overloaded servers with bigger, more expensive models.

Similarly, managed IT services are a godsend for companies that need expertise in a hurry and are not yet prepared to foot the bill for experienced permanent staff members. The capability and flexibility that managed services provides is crucial for companies that need to scale up or down at the drop of a hat.

Make it rain with the cloud

Cloud computing is currently the most popular service you can outsource or get from an MSP. Switching to a cloud environment (or “going cloud”) typically means transitioning from hosting and operating IT resources locally to having a third party deliver those services instead. Typically, you only pay for what you use, which makes scalability easy as business cycles wax and wane. It also allows businesses to react quickly to its changing needs (instead of wasting time shopping for equipment) while also giving its operations increased efficiency and reliability.

Flexibility in and out of the workplace

Cloud technologies also make it easy for your employees to work whenever, wherever. With remote access to cloud file servers and applications, employees can access, upload, and download files using any internet-connected device whether they’re in Topeka or Tripoli. To maximize this benefit, many companies are starting to implement a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy, which not only keeps employees connected, but frees companies from individual computer purchases.

Easy upscaling and downscaling

Whenever you have an increase or decrease in IT requirements, making the necessary adjustments is as easy as calling your cloud or managed services provider. For example, you can double your cloud subscription during peak months or cut it in half during the stale season. By making sure you are supplied with the exact quantity of resources that you need, you are ensuring that you pay only for what you actually use. This minimizes waste and will help your enterprise grow more efficiently.

Three types of cloud environments to choose from

There are three types of cloud computing environments.

Private Cloud is the most secure since no other entity has access to it. The servers and equipment powering your private cloud are controlled by your IT department. It is, however, the most expensive type since it is owned and maintained by your business, and many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) might have trouble fitting a private cloud into their IT budget.

Public Cloud uses shared (but segmented) server space hosted in a provider’s data center. In this arrangement, you will be sharing the IT resources with the other users. Because multiple entities essentially “rent” server space, it is a more economical option than a public cloud. (Especially since you don’t have to buy the equipment!) There is a lot of potential for customization and many providers have different service tiers to suit the needs of their customers.

Hybrid Cloud is a very popular type of cloud computing that blends the best of public and private cloud capabilities. In this environment, the crucial and most sensitive IT resources are managed via private cloud while others are  delivered via public cloud.

Cloud computing soon to be standard

With the myriad of benefits a cloud infrastructure offers, it is projected to make traditional infrastructure obsolete. Recent studies claim that within the next five to ten years, more than 90% of businesses will have their data hosted in cloud environments.

We’ve seen a major shift over the last two years from exclusive private cloud or public cloud models to hybrid models, and leading industry reports are revealing that this trend isn’t exclusive to Dynamic Quest or the regions in which we operate. The obvious inherent benefits of hybrid cloud models – such as minimizing asset risk and hybrid cloud’s balance of cost and flexibility – are driving competitive agility across industry sectors and product and service offerings. Smart competitors are examining and leveraging cloud models to meet their unique needs and are driving the growing move to the cloud to sustain competitive advantage.

As you examine your own tech stack and infrastructure, consider cloud models among other IT and business solutions to allow your organization to strike the optimal balance between business scalability, risk, cost, security and complexity. If you are still not sure on what direction to take, let us help.  Click the “Ask an Expert” button below to contact us with any questions, or if you’d just like to talk through what might make sense for your unique needs.