Many Enterprises today are making the switch over to “The Cloud” for a variety of applications. The most popular cloud based (business) applications include CRM software, email, project management, development & backup. It’s predicted that by 2015, end-user spending on cloud services could be more than $180 billion.

Some of you may be asking “Why the cloud?” or “is it really worth it?” The answer to these questions are both simple and compelling.

If an Enterprise decides to use a cloud based solution of any kind they’re going to see immediate benefits in 3 major areas:

• Cost savings
• Speed
• Flexibility

Cost saving

In the network monitoring space, all of the “big guys” require a hefty upfront fee for their software, and then an equally, if not more expensive fee for professional services to actually make the system operate and integrate with other platforms.

On the contrary, most cloud based systems are sold as yearly (or less) SaaS models. The removal of a huge upfront investment usually makes the CFO happy. They’re also happy when they don’t need to pay for server hardware, storage and other costs (like electricity, and space) associated with running a solution in house.

Flexibility

“Use what you need, when you need it and then turn it off when you don’t” – that is one of the most common (and powerful) sales pitches in the cloud world. But, unlike the sales pitch from your local used car salesperson, this one is true! Cloud based system are generally much more flexible in terms of deployment, usage, terms, and even support compared to “legacy” software deployments.

Most cloud based SaaS applications offer a free no-obligation evaluation period and can be upgraded, downgraded or cancelled with just a few clicks. This means that organizations are not completely “locked in” to any solution for many years that might not do the job they need. Try that with your behemoth on premise software!

Speed

In the IT world, speed comes in many forms. You might think of application performance or Internet download speeds, but in the cloud speed generally means how fast a new application or service can go from “I need it” to “I have it”.

One of the biggest advantages of cloud based systems is that they are already running. The front end, backend and associated applications are already installed. As a user all you have to do is raise your hand and say you want it and in most cases your service can be provisioned in a matter of hours (or less).

In the cloud world of SaaS this “lead time” has shrunk from weeks or months to hours or minutes. That means more productivity, less downtime and happier users.

In the end, all organizations are looking for ways to trim unnecessary costs and increase capabilities. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this today is to switch to a cloud based network monitoring application.

Thanks to NMSaaS for the article.