Because it touches on every aspect of operations, digital transformation is more of an ethos than just an IT project. However, three key factors are crucial to enabling the business agility you need.
1. Data platform simplification
Although hybrid IT allows businesses to build truly flexible systems, it also dramatically increases operational complexity. With virtual machines, containerised applications and SaaS platforms to contend with, achieving complete data visibility is harder than ever.
Choosing a single, integrated platform like Oracle Cloud can help to simplify the data platform and blur boundaries between on- and off-premise systems. Smart management tools then provide line-of-sight across the entire estate – and facilitate new ways of working – to make operations simpler, faster and more effective.
2. Intelligent automation and AI
Your data estate continues to grow exponentially, adding to management overheads. Managing the balance between cost, speed of access and availability is a full-time job.
Again, the smart tools included with the Oracle Cloud can help to streamline management, automatically placing workloads where they offer the best price-performance potential. Artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities ensure that the platform continues to learn what your business needs – and to make it happen. This will be particularly important as demand changes; AI will be better able to manage short-term surges in resource demand for instance.
Using automated management tools frees your infrastructure team to focus on the strategic projects which will carry your organisation forwards, rather than diverting resources to keep the lights on.
3. Lower operating costs
A smart data platform in the cloud has the potential to significantly reduce costs – some estimates suggest 55%-100% improvements in price/performance. Service costs also fall by 30%-50% as you outsource responsibility for keeping the hosted platform running.
The savings made can then be re-invested in other activities. From developing next-generation apps to purchasing additional infrastructure that will allow you to achieve your digital transformation goals, the cloud will be an invaluable asset. Assuming you choose the right platform for your current and future needs.
Faster, smarter, cheaper
Cloud investments continue to rise year-on-year – but IT departments also face potential budget reductions in the face of a challenging economic climate. Now more than ever C-suite stakeholders are demanding greater value from investments. This means that IT decision-makers will need to demonstrate operational performance improvements whilst maximising return on investment – or even cost reductions.
The cloud remains the only viable option for achieving these contradictory demands. With the right operating platform, it becomes possible to improve access to data and operational agility and reduce costs too.
To learn more about Oracle Cloud and how it will help your business achieve its digital transformation aspirations, please get in touch.