Cloud computing: the catalyst for innovation (Guest blog from Sopra Steria)

Author: Tom Staley, Technology Advisory and Innovation Lead, Sopra Steria

In a world where adaptability is king, embracing cloud technology isn’t just a choice, it’s a strategic imperative, offering organisations of all sizes the ability to scale, innovate and future proof their operations.

Gone are the days when cloud was merely an option for modernisation, it’s now the cornerstone of digital transformation. It’s not just about staying current, it’s the catalyst for unprecedented growth opportunities by leveraging data and cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Why Cloud computing?

The benefits of migrating to the cloud are vast and varied, including:

• Cost-efficiency. Instead of up-front costs, organisations pay for cloud resources on a subscription basis allowing greater financial flexibility to invest in other critical areas including innovation.
• Resource optimisation.  Cloud service providers manage and maintain hardware, software, and security, freeing up internal IT teams to focus on higher-value tasks.
• Scalability. Organisations can adjust their computing capacity in response to fluctuating demand, with cloud providing the elasticity to meet challenges head-on.
• Flexibility. Cloud services offer a menu of options, each catering to specific business needs. Organisations can pick and choose the services that align with their objectives, tailoring to suit their unique requirements and not be constrained by rigid infrastructure limitations.

As more and more organisations are gearing up to embrace the power of cloud computing, we’ve been right by their side, supporting a number of them from platform discovery through to delivery. In the UK business Data Survey 2022 while 83% of the businesses that use digital data use standalone devices to store and process their data, only 34% reported use of cloud providers. So, there’s still a lot of untapped opportunity out there for organisations.

Leveling the playing field for organisations

Cloud computing is a catalyst for innovation, wherein the democratisation of computing power levels the playing field, granting even small businesses access to cutting-edge technologies that were once the exclusive domain of large enterprises. Startups, in particular, benefit from the cloud's ability to remove barriers to entry.

Entrepreneurs can quickly set up their operations, develop and test new ideas, and scale as demand grows—all without the significant upfront costs and time delays associated with traditional infrastructure setup. This agility and speed to market fosters a fertile ground for creative thinking and rapid prototyping, accelerating the innovation cycle.

Migration to the cloud can feel daunting but with the right support it can be done quickly, securely and with limited (or no) downtime. We had an eight-month window for a large-scale movement of digital assets where failure would stop business operations and lead to a loss of data and application. After a rapid analysis of the existing infrastructure, a migration approach was drawn up with the key objective to migrate, through lifting and shifting to the chosen provider as quickly as possible while operating under tight security requirements.  We completed this in six months with virtually zero downtime for end users, and as a mark of success the project was nominated for APM Technology Project of the Year Award 2023.

Unleashing innovation with Artificial Intelligence

Cloud computing serves as a catalyst for innovation in various fields, none more so than in the realm of AI. The fusion of these two technological paradigms has unlocked unprecedented opportunities.

The availability of existing AI tools, libraries, and frameworks through cloud platforms accelerates foundational capability.  Platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure offer pre-built AI services, including natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and speech recognition. This accelerates AI development, as developers and data scientists can leverage these tools to build and deploy AI solutions more quickly and cost-effectively.

AI algorithms thrive on data, and managing massive datasets can be challenging. Cloud computing platforms provide robust data storage and management solutions, making it easier to collect, store, and analyse large volumes of data. This data infrastructure, combined with cloud-based AI tools, streamlines the development of AI applications that rely on data-driven insights.

The synergy between cloud computing and AI is driving breakthroughs across industries, from healthcare and finance to entertainment and agriculture. As we continue to harness the power of cloud-based AI, we can expect further innovations that will reshape the way we work, live, and solve some of the world's most pressing challenges. Cloud computing's role as an enabler of AI innovation will only continue to grow, making the future of technology and business even more exciting and dynamic.

Empowering growth through expert cloud advisory

As organisations navigate the future, harnessing the power of the cloud is essential for unlocking their full growth potential. However, the journey to the cloud is intricate, requiring careful planning, technical expertise, and strategic guidance.

Our cloud advisory capability plays a vital role in helping organisations navigate this intricate landscape; from crafting a tailored cloud strategy to executing seamless migration pathways and optimising ongoing operations. To find out more reach out to [email protected].