Information technology has undergone a dramatic shift during the past year. You’ve probably noticed investment in technology infrastructure like servers and personal computers has slackened as of late in a growing number of corners in the business world. Soon there will be nowhere for traditional IT departments can hide, as cloud computing alleviates many of the disruptions associated with maintaining computing systems, software upgrades and data storage capabilities.

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Creating a New Business Model
The New York Times technology blog Bits emphasized the manner in which companies that have invested in cloud technology have outpaced the traditional tech paragons like Microsoft and Dell, leaving these businesses playing a game of catch up with the likes of Amazon and Salesforce. Consequently, many IT departments are left questioning what their function will be as a growing number of businesses seek out cloud computing service providers instead of software and infrastructure. There are several reasons why companies should help transition their IT professionals into a more nuanced role of maintaining existing technology to allow for a more seamless integration of cloud technology.

1. Saving your company costs: Businesses are no longer restricted by the technology they’ve integrated into their operating systems, as cloud-based software and apps are commonly managed by the companies that produce them. As a result, enterprises don’t have to invest in the personnel necessary to maintain servers and software updates.
2. Creating a flexible working environment: Companies need to invest in employees that have the analytical skills required for segmenting and understanding big data. Software-as-a-service businesses give their clients the benefit of state-of-the-art technology with greater freedom to choose which services they need. A larger IT support staff can help ensure users of proprietary software and apps understand how to use the technology; yet most companies already have support personnel in place to help address any issues that employees might face in using cloud-based software. More to the point, CMSWire reported companies that invest in infrastructure-as-a-service technologies allows companies to choose what type of processing power they need to analyze data and when they need it. In this way, flexibility keeps costs lower.
3. Mapping a sustainable business path: While the cloud enables nearly all applications and software to be compatible with all Web browsers, according to The New York Times, IT professionals are no longer required to ensure software can be integrated into existing platforms. As a result, members of the IT department have the responsibility to make sure companies providing cloud-based technology have a common vision of where the business partner is headed. This means IT professionals must work in close collaboration with CEOs and COOs to discuss what their enterprise needs in terms of data storage and software.

Related: How to Increase Business Agility with Cloud Technology

Maximize Potential, but Understand Limits
By its nature, the cloud is limited by the data center’s capability for storage, according to the information management magazine. Because so many companies are interested in maximizing the potential for Big Data for marketing, advertising, customer relations and a number of other departments, data centers that support cloud computing are looking to improve on existing models for storing data and processing speed.

Related: Get help with cloud computing resources.

However, the benefits of the technology cannot be discounted for enterprises looking to remove roadblocks from their operations. In addition, The New York Times emphasized the importance of big data analytics for attracting customers. When an organization has a firm grasp on massive amounts of data and understands how to apply that information, customers will develop a greater level of trust. As the rate of development of new companies and software increases, IT professionals can serve as a conduit for businesses to understand how innovative cloud computing technology can benefit an organization, providing an elevated level of customer service .