Move-to-cloud : The pros and cons

To cloud or not to cloud, that is the question

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In favor of cloud migration

1. Flexibility and scalability: The cloud allows you to adjust the IT resources you need according to your actual needs. This provides operational flexibility and the ability to scale quickly in the event of growth, spikes, or fluctuating demands.
2. Reduced operating costs: By migrating to the cloud, you reduce the costs associated with the purchase, maintenance,and updating of physical infrastructure and software. You switch from a capital expenditure (CapEx) model to an operating expenditure (OpEx) model, you only pay for what you use. Indeed, the average cost reduction is estimated to be around 20%.
3. Access to cutting-edge technologies: Cloud providers offer cutting-edge technologies and services, enabling businesses to quickly access new capabilities without having to bear the costs or heavy R&D investments.
4. Business continuity and disaster recovery: Cloud solutions offer robust tools for data backup and disaster recovery,improving business resilience in the face of interruptions, attacks or failures.
5. Improved collaborative work: The cloud facilitates remote work and real-time collaboration, with secure access to data and applications from any device connected to the internet.

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Against cloud migration

1. Vendor dependency: By choosing a cloud provider, you may find yourself in a situation of strong dependency on that provider, which can complicate future migrations or access to other competitive services. More than half of companies identify dependency as a major concern. It is essential to plan for a possible transition or coexistence with other cloud services to avoid vendor lock-in.
2. Security and compliance issues: While cloud providers generally offer high levels of security, managing data privacy and compliance in the cloud can be complex, especially in highly regulated industries.
3. Unexpected costs: Despite the potential for cost savings, poor cloud resource management can lead to unforeseen expenses, particularly due to usage-based pricing. Indeed, it is estimated that a third of cloud spending is wasted due to poor resource management.
4. Migration complexity: The migration process can be complex and expensive, requiring careful planning and sometimes application refactoring to optimize performance in the cloud. Indeed, it is estimated that a cloud migration can take between 6 months to more than a year, depending on the complexity and scope of the operations to be carried out.
5. Performance and availability risks: Reliance on cloud services means that any interruption of service from the provider can have a direct impact on the company’s operations and activities.

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So, to migrate or not?

Considering all these arguments aims to help you weigh the pros and cons based on the specificities of your business,your industry, your constraints and your priorities. You must first carry out a thorough analysis of your needs and surround yourself with cloud migration experts who will help you make the right decision.

Harington also supports you in your FinOps strategy in order to achieve the right balance between performance, cost and value of your cloud investments.

What is the interest of FinOps

• Savings of 20 to 30% of cloud expenses through fine-grained and proactive cost management.
• Better planning of cloud expenses through increased readability of providers’ often complex pricing models.

In other words, thanks to FinOps, you can fine-tune how, where and when you use cloud services so as not to spend more than necessary. But FinOps is not just about avoiding overpaying. It also helps identify cloud investment opportunities so that every euro spent contributes to your business’s growth and innovation.

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