Why every executive is important when considering the cloud

by Xtium Research

Traditionally, discussions regarding a cloud conversion take place with CFOs when in reality the technology affects much more than operating budgets. While the cloud can cut costs across the board, there should also be a discussion about data and security. Incorporating other executives in the debate is vital to the project's success.

When discussing a public cloud approach, executives sometimes have secondary concerns that may muddle the technology's true impact. The cloud is able to revolutionize internal operations by promoting accessibility, scalability and creativity, but businesses often become apprehensive about reliability and access to internal data. A virtual private cloud can alleviate these worries, with companies like Xtium providing guaranteed 100 percent application availability while cutting costs by more than half.

While there is evidence that a private cloud approach would be much cheaper than public, focusing solely on dollars and cents may be the wrong plan of attack for cloud vendors, according to CMSWire. The overarching point of any new technology, after all, is to gain tangible work-related benefits

Will a company choose the cheaper option if all else remains equal? Absolutely. But the cloud is a game changer, and businesses should analyze its uses as well as how it will reduce monthly costs.

The cloud's opportunity
The cloud represents more than cost savings. CFOs are a vital part of the discussion and there are financial benefits available. However, decision makers in every department will see the effects of a cloud conversion.

"There's two personalities to cloud. There's the internal perspective, which is all about potential cost savings, risk assessments, and how you manage your portfolio apps. And there's also an external perspective, which is driven by the economics the cloud brings in," Ron Fraser of Microsoft told Tech World.

The cloud itself is also evolving thanks to advancements in hardware. Server markets are incredibly competitive, Gartner Vice President Jeffrey Hewitt said in a statement. As demand continues to rise and competition heats up, companies should expect to see the cost of new technology drop dramatically. Cloud providers could be better equipped to upgrade and install this hardware compared to a business that has to eat the cost directly.

In the end, a cloud game plan should be all-inclusive. Managed cloud hosting brings direct financial benefits that are appealing to CFOs and improves worker efficiency and output that CEOs crave, all while improving data security and retention that CIOs continue to strive for.