If your small business has been around for a while, there’s a good chance that you have a technology framework already in place, whether it be based on a local server or scattered amongst individual devices and drives. When you and your employees have gotten used to this service, doing something like “moving to the cloud” can sound intimidating. The potential downtime, risks, costs…

In reality, cloud migration doesn’t have to be a scary endeavor. When a cloud migration is done right, it’s one of the smartest decisions that a small or mid-sized business can make. The cloud simplifies operations, improves security, and frees your team from the limits of old, outdated hardware and infrastructures.

In fact, you’ve probably already used the cloud.

If you or your employees use Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Quickbooks Online, or Dropbox, you’re already utilizing the cloud! These services allow data and information to live securely online instead of on a single local server or computer. With these services, you and your team can work remotely from anywhere and you aren’t stuck relying on technology that may be outdated and need to be replaced!

Not only does productivity get unlocked, but your data actually gets more locked down and secure when you migrate to the cloud.

Business owners and decision makers often fear that cloud systems are less secure than on-site server solutions, but that’s just a myth. Reputable cloud platforms utilize enterprise-grade security measures that small and medium-sized businesses can afford. More so, these cloud providers constantly monitor for threats and take care of the maintenance, updating, and replacements of equipment. Talk about taking the pressure off!

Remember, the cloud migration isn’t an overnight switch of everything in one go. A smart cloud migration takes time and occurs in phases, starting with the most important data and moving gradually on from there. Depending on what email or collaboration tools your business uses, these are great places to begin your cloud migration. After this, migrate shared files or backups to the cloud. Once that’s done, consider cloud-based applications for accounting or CRMs that will help your business unlock productivity anywhere, anytime. With this slow approach, there is less risk and disruptions for your team, making it a smooth transition.

Once your business has moved to the cloud, you’ll begin to see the benefits that you were missing out on, especially when it comes to cost. When you were responsible for the costs of a physical server—be it hardware, maintenance, power, cooling, or repair—costs fluctuate and can be astronomical in the case of an emergency. With the cloud, you pay for what you use, giving your business the peace of mind with predictable costs, consistent service, and scalable pricing as your business grows.

Ready to take on the world of the cloud? It’s easy when you have an experienced IT partner who can help you manage the process. At Marvel IT Services, we can assist your business through a cloud migration, including:

• Assessing what needs to move to the cloud.
• Planning a migration schedule to minimize downtime.
• Handling data transfer and ensuring that users are properly set up.
• Providing post-migration IT support and training.

If you’re ready to position your business for flexibility, security, and growth, reach out to us at Marvel IT Services! Let’s make a migration strategy and plan that makes sense for your business.