Blog

December 21st, 2022

In this article we reflect on why cloud computing is the new norm and how remote working in lockdown was part of this digital transition for businesses. We also look at the specifics of how cloud computing can transform your business. Let’s dig in!

How 2020 Changed Remote Working

In 2020 remote working became the new status quo out of sheer necessity with a world in lockdown. A PWC 2020 Survey reported that 86% of UK CEOs believed the shift towards remote collaboration would endure compared to 78% globally. However, the challenge was not only pivoting to virtual working, it was also how IT leaders would provide adaptable, secure remote working solutions scalable at speed. 

Digital Transformation To Face Risk

The transition for organisations to implement robust digital transformation and remote working strategies was essential in 2020 due to the increased risk to their business resilience during a pandemic. However, it was clear that this was no temporary fix and would need to prevail in the long term for future uncertainties.

Work Life Balance Improved By Remote Working

Research from the UK’s Office for National Statistics showed in February 2022 that hybrid and remote working  had a positive impact on the lives of staff, “ONS data show that in February 2022 more than three-quarters (78%) of those who worked from home in some capacity said that being able to work from home gave them an improved work-life balance.”

The Impact Of Remote Working On Organisations

UK Parliament research in October 2022 indicated that organisations had seen both benefits and disadvantages to flexible working. The benefits included ‘increased staff wellbeing, reduced overhead costs, productivity gains, reduced sickness absence levels and more efficient allocation of labour’. On the flipside, it negatively affected the mental wellbeing of staff, staff interaction, collaboration, connection, engagement, working culture and led to a loss in productivity.

The Urgency Of Digital Transition For Businesses

The digital transition also brought the pressing need for businesses to adopt cloud services. In July 2020, an article from McKinsey recommended that, ‘leaders need to accelerate their journey to the cloud in order to digitize quickly and effectively in the wake of COVID-19.’ The article cited the importance of digital customer experiences which could be deployed in days rather than months on cloud platforms. 

Finding The Optimal Solutions For Businesses

The McKinsey article highlighted that IT leaders have to find the optimal solution for their business while navigating the daily obstacles of a global situation with geographical restrictions. Successful transition for office-based teams to virtual working and migrating IT infrastructure can be extensive, complex and specific to each business. Clearly, implementing responsive cloud transformation strategies, high-performance connectivity, secure voice and resilient hosted IT applications requires specialist expertise and knowledge.

Future-Proof Cloud Transformation

A World Economic Forum report in October 2020 revealed that business leaders highlighted cloud computing, big data and e-commerce as their top priorities: 

• 84% were quickly digitalising work processes
• 83% planned to provide more opportunities to work remotely in response to COVID-19, a figure which rose to 91.4% within the UK. 
• Chief Human Resource Officers surveyed stated that on average, 44% of workers were able to work remotely during the COVID-19 crisis while 24% of workers were unable to perform their current role, indicating an aspiration to expand the availability of remote work. 

The WEF report highlighted a core barrier: ‘the adoption of new technologies and the skills gap’. Currently, this is an ongoing issue affecting all industries with increased reliance on virtual business since the pandemic.

Gaining The Maximum Value From Cloud Computing

Gartner highlighted in July 2020 that one of the essential questions CIOs should be asking to gain maximum value from cloud computing to make their businesses more resilient and prepared for unplanned events is: 

‘Who are our key resources inside and outside of IT for execution of technology strategy?’ 

The article cited utilising employees outside IT who customise or build technology solutions as “force multipliers”. However, in light of the skills gap prevalent within the digital sector, not every organisation has the depth of skills and experience in-house to deliver. It is this skills gap that IP House has tailored its services to, to help businesses in their digital transition to cloud computing. Let’s find out how…

How does IP Cloud Connect help businesses?

At the heart of business is the requirement for people to connect and communicate effectively. Virtually, this requires secure, ultra-fast, resilient connectivity and data – in unison with an in-depth understanding of how to deliver best in class services for customers. 

Each set of business requirements are unique, therefore bringing together trusted specialists adept at delivering bespoke or hybrid cloud solutions gives businesses the power to overcome any complexities or issues associated with remote working, accessing IT infrastructure, critical applications and unified communications.

Bespoke Cloud Solutions for businesses

IP Cloud Connect delivers high-level resiliency for remote working and operational continuity through our bespoke cloud solutions. Today, businesses are made up of teams who require the secure, ultra-fast connectivity to collaborate and communicate virtually. The more effective each person can be remotely ultimately benefits employee wellbeing, customer service and reputation, which positively impacts business success.

Combined Experience To Serve Companies

IP Cloud Connect is an independent consortium with the combined experience of many larger players. This allows an inherently agile and extremely flexible approach in delivering secure, scalable long-term solutions for future uncertainties. In addition, IP House is also a unique partnership of companies, each with distinguished skills, expertise and experience virtually on-hand to complement your in-house team, a force multiplier to accelerate your cloud transformation journey. 

What Does IP Cloud Connect Consist Of?

• IP House – An independent colocation data centre in the heart of London’s financial district, offering secure, resilient and accessible hosted IT solutions.
• Cloud Systems – Offering data storage and cyber security through bespoke, trusted and secure public and private cloud services.
• IP Office – Business voice and telecommunications specialists offering secure hosted and managed cloud services alongside traditional telephony.
• CXS – Offering diverse and high-performance connectivity through 

data-driven platforms.

Secure & Resilient Cloud Connectivity

The IP House data centre is situated close to Europe’s largest data centre hub, with the additional benefit of being completely independent. With IP Cloud Connect your business can operate from anywhere, securely with ultra-fast connectivity and unified communications. Plus, IP House provides bespoke end-to-end cloud and hosting services from our secure data centre, serving London, the rest of the UK and internationally.

Bespoke and Managed Cloud Services

IP Cloud Connect owns, manages and delivers every aspect of our bespoke services for seamless cloud transformation. From physical and cyber data security to resilient infrastructure, public and private cloud solutions to diverse connectivity and secure professional voice services essential to your business.

Peace Of Mind For Your Business 24/7

IP Cloud Connect keeps you connected, providing peace of mind by ensuring 100% uptime for critical IT systems. Your data is accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week, with no compromise to security and monitored with next-generation software. Our software provides real-time alerts directly to your mobile device, all fully supported by our in-house smart-hands technical team.

Specialist Knowledge You Can Trust

Our combined specialist knowledge imparts trusted advice and delivers the correct bespoke solutions for responsive cloud transformation strategies to maximise remote working, operational resilience and disaster recovery. Moreover, our IT support is continuous with the flexibility to scale your IT infrastructure bespoke to your needs. 

Optimising The Customer Journey

We are dedicated to establishing long-term customer relationships built on prioritising service excellence, honesty and trust. This is the key to mutually beneficial and long lasting business relationships with all of our customers. 

Cloud Spending Will Reach $600 million Worldwide By 2023

On October 31st, 2022 a Gartner Inc press release headline revealed that “Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Reach Nearly $600 Billion in 2023.” 

It predicted that worldwide public cloud spending will increase by 20.7% in 2023 which is a jump from $490.3 billion in 2022 to $591.8 billion in 2023. Furthermore, Gartner announced that by 2025 businesses ‘will spend more on public cloud services than traditional IT solutions’. 

Cloud computing is the new frontier…

Get In Touch

For more information on IP Cloud Connect, visit the website. To book a virtual tour of the IP House data centre or book a call with our IP Cloud Connect team to gain further insights into our bespoke cloud solutions, please click here.