Intelligent CIO LATAM Issue 29 | Page 41

CIO OPINION value-add tasks rather than maintaining and growing infrastructure . Instead , they can outsource work to a software-as-a-service ( SaaS ) provider , and keep teams focused on developing the business .
Flexible functionality
Using SaaS services doesn ’ t just make it easier to scale IT capacity as businesses grow ; they also make it simpler and quicker to upgrade and add new applications and functionalities to IT infrastructure . As businesses grow , their needs shift and it is vital they review their current systems to ensure they are optimal to driving their growth plans .
CIOs need to stay on top of the latest new technology and how it can be leveraged to make the business more streamlined , as well as staying abreast of the latest updates and patches so they don ’ t lose performance and functionality from their investments . This can be a large expense to businesses and if CIOs are juggling several balls that mean this is deprioritised – it can at best impede growth , as the business is simply not set up for success without the right technology , and at worse open the system up to security vulnerabilities .
The cloud simplifies the process , as new solutions do not require new hardware upgrades – something that can often be a barrier to innovation and growth . Instead , new patches and solutions can be easily rolled out to all relevant users over the cloud . This means CIOs can ensure they have access to and are implementing the latest functionality , with optimal performance , while maintaining critical security .
Cloud solutions are typically far more secure than their on-site counterparts .
Enhanced security
Cloud solutions are typically far more secure than their on-site counterparts . If mission-critical data is stored on a local network and a virus is encountered , there is a real risk that this can later be lost or stolen . With your data in the cloud , these types of threats are significantly reduced .
Many firms struggle with meeting security standards due to a lack of adequate IT resources . Ultimately , at times of growth , this can be resolved by migration to the cloud . Best-practice cloud hosting providers offer dedicated teams of security experts that monitor data 24 hours a day , 7 days a week , 52 weeks a year with security safeguards that typically exceed any onpremises solution .
To futureproof and position business for growth , moving to the cloud is necessary . Cloud solutions will always facilitate growth over legacy , on-premise solutions . With the world moving ever faster , your technology needs to be ready to scale with projected growth – and the cloud can help alleviate this potential business challenge . With frequent audits and performance testing , cloud servers are prepared to meet the needs of evolving firms and deliver optimal performance at a business-critical time . p www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO LATAM INTELLIGENTCIO LATAM 41