Recent years have seen more and more companies expedite their move to the cloud to support security, agility, innovation, cost-efficiency and improved collaboration. And while regions across the globe are approaching cloud migration differently, the growth of these services is expected to continue worldwide.  

We’re taking a closer look at what cloud migration is, why it’s trending globally and how your team can foster a smooth transition to the cloud.  

Cloud migration: The global landscape  

By moving a company’s databases, applications, IT resources (e.g. software, storage, analytics, networking and intelligence) and other digital assets into the cloud, or from one cloud to another, organisations can efficiently run operations online, instead of a remote server. This strategic transition aims to help teams boost security, streamline processes and host data and applications in the most effective IT environment possible — and it’s quickly taking hold across the globe.

The use of cloud technology around the world 

While the overall outlook is significantly positive, its use and foothold vary from region to region. As of today, the United States remains the leader in cloud usage, with adoption happening the quickest in Australia, Canada, the U.K., Poland and Brazil, according to Gartner. This faster-paced adoption — compared to lagging countries like India and South Korea — can be attributed to ample regional coverage and support from national governments, not to mention the adequate internet connectivity and broadband that are needed to support these services.  

But, adoption is still anticipated to pick up worldwide: A report from Gartner projects that more than 85% of organisations will embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025, at which time over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms. As businesses transition to cloud operating models, here are the top drivers that are compelling them to make the move: 

1. Accelerated digital transformation. 

1. The gradual consolidation of information, documents and data centres. 

1. Valuable long-term cost-savings. 

1. Boosting organisational agility and workforce productivity.  

1. The adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things).  

1. Improved security and operational resilience.
   

Taking a closer look at cloud technology in Australia  

The AU region continues to be a major leader in organisational transitions to cloud-based solutions, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting that 55% of all businesses indicated using cloud solutions in 2019-2020 — up from 42% in 2017-2018. 

What’s behind these considerable investments? This is often attributed to several reasons, including: 

• Security. 

• Customer engagement. 

• Lower costs (compared to on-premise solutions). 

• The rise of remote work. 

• Reliability and scalability.  

For example, a cloud-first approach has been long adopted by the Australian government, with initial efforts to increase investments in cloud services beginning as early as 2015. Authorities in this region have taken deliberate steps to leverage the full use of technology, increasing cloud use across departments and agencies — while ensuring that this sensitive data is highly protected.  

Teams are increasingly partnering with cloud service providers to help them ultimately reduce costs, upgrade operations, manage technological change and better serve customers and employees. According to Deloitte, 78% of users have reported improvements in productivity since adopting the cloud. What’s more 48% have seen an increase in IT staff and 41% in non-IT staff since using cloud services.  

With the rapid adoption of the cloud in Australia, the region will serve as a benchmark for other countries to evaluate their development moving forward.

Boosting your data security 

One of the largest benefits of cloud migration today is security. 

Oracle found that 60% of C-Suite executives say security is the top benefit of cloud operating models, ahead of cost savings, scalability, ease of maintenance and speed. Migrating to the cloud helps modernise your team’s IT infrastructure and ensure encryption to protect your systems from data breaches and malicious cyberattacks. This involves providing advanced security protocols that make the information considerably difficult to access.  

Fortunately, the cloud is designed for maximum security to support teams as they work to minimise these challenges. Centralised information and data storage in combination with high levels of encryption and other security layers reduces the risks of cyber incidents that could derail your business. And, reliable cloud hosting providers actively monitor and update security features, so you can rest assured sensitive data is always safe while relieving the burden on your teams. 

It’s important to remember that the cloud itself isn’t what makes an organisation secure: Instead, it empowers teams to introduce and maintain the security and compliance best practices needed to support improved operations long-term.

The other key benefits of cloud migration 

As the global movement to cloud-based solutions continues, organisations stand to reap a host of other valuable benefits as well. Here are some of the major advantages of cloud migration to keep in mind: 

• Cost savings: Cloud operating models allow organisations to eliminate the costs associated with purchasing hardware and software — effectively ridding the company of related operational, maintenance and upgrade costs.  

• Increased scalability: Instead of spending hours or days installing physical hardware, cloud-based systems are easily scalable to meet your needs amidst economic uncertainty, labour shortages and fluctuating demand — providing flexibility and speed that save precious time for IT staff.  

• Enhanced collaboration: Cloud applications successfully enable team collaboration for both local and remote workforces with real-time communication and improved file-sharing capabilities: Establish transparency and accountability with secure records of activity and data (e.g. timestamps). 
  
  

Introducing cloud-based solutions to support your teams 

When it’s time for your organisation to make the shift to the cloud, you need solutions from providers that can effectively support your business goals and operations. With Amazon as our dependable and highly secure cloud partner, ReadyTech can help you manage the employment and workforce lifecycle end-to-end — from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and HR.  

Robust cloud-based solutions like Ready Pay are equipping workplace leaders with an adaptable payroll system and sophisticated employee management that are reliable and easy to use. Trusted by professionals in Australia for over 30 years, our cloud software intuitively and powerfully streamlines your processes while improving compliance and security.  

With comprehensive cloud services at your disposal, you can take advantage of customised business solutions and tools that boost the employee experience. 

Learn more about how Ready Pay can support your team.