The Cloud Brings Scalability, Flexibility, and Powers Digital Transformation

In a previous post, “Understanding Cloud Solutions,” we noted that among the core benefits of the cloud was that it helped with expense predictability and resiliency. Tom Jarry, manager of Project Services and Customer Relationships at Cooperative Systems offers insight into a few more key advantages.

Enhancing Scalability

With on-promise computing solutions, growth can sometimes be dictated by or even slowed by your legacy systems.

“One reason cloud solutions can enhance scalability is that you’re not limited to the infrastructure you’ve invested in,” says Jarry.

A simple example would be your personal computer. It has a certain amount of storage space. When you run out of that space, you have to buy either a new computer with more storage space or you have to buy components to add storage space. With the cloud, there is no limit.

“When it comes to scalability, cloud solution providers have already accounted for the growth of their clients,” he notes. “There’s a certain percentage of overhead that they include in the solutions, and they’re constantly monitoring the platforms to ensure they’re adding additional availability, so there are always resources available to the client.

“From a scalability perspective,” he continues, “the resources almost feel limitless and rapid growth is something that can be sustained in a cloud environment. In an on-premise environment or even in a private cloud where you own or lease your hardware, you can’t scale as quickly in the sense that you have to make an infrastructure investment to do so. So, there’s an additional expense, there’s going to be some time to implement a solution, and so on.”

Improving Flexibility (and Productivity)

“While there are a number of ways the cloud is flexible—it offers automated updates and redundancy—it really works to empower your staff,” Jarry points out. “Typically, a cloud solution is a lot easier to get connected to, so you’re moving away from the older technology, such as VPN, and having to connect to a VPN to your office. In that case, applications can run more slowly for those connecting remotely. The cloud is built for remote connection, meaning you and your team are able to do the same amount of work at the same speed and performance from virtually anywhere you have a high-quality internet connection.”

Supporting Digital Transformation

While digital transformation has been considered more of an enterprise function, the cloud can be part of it for companies of any size.

“Our work with customers on cloud solutions definitely plays a key role in digital transformation in the sense that we’re continuously helping our customers look for solutions to improve their organizations through technology,” explains Jarry. “It comes into play when they’re looking to improve processes or remove human interaction to streamline what they do.”

He offers the example of a financial services client.

“We have a credit union that we’re currently working with that wants to be able to allow electronic check deposits from their ATMs, so instead of having to go to a teller to make your deposit or use the mobile app, it will actually scan the check directly at the ATM,” he says. “That way the money gets in their customer’s account before anybody can even get the ATM to collect the stack of checks. That’s an example of digital transformation in the sense that we’re working with their vendors for the cloud-based applications they use to ensure that we can help them launch a forward-looking solution that helps enhance and grow their business.”

Connect with us today to learn more about how the cloud can benefit your business, and how Cooperative Systems can help you implement a solution tailored for your organization.