How Cloud First shapes the IT future of your company

The move to the cloud is no longer just a trend but a necessity for companies that want to remain agile, innovative, and competitive. But what does 'Cloud First' actually mean? Why are more and more companies opting for a cloud-first strategy? And how can your organization make a successful transition? In this blog post, we will guide you through the world of Cloud First, including its benefits, challenges, and practical steps for a successful implementation.

What does Cloud First mean?

At home, your loved one (or pet!) comes first, but in your company? The cloud! 😁 Cloud First simply means that as an organization, you prioritize cloud-based solutions over on-premises or traditional IT systems.

With every new IT decision, you first look at available cloud options before considering other solutions. In short, Cloud First ensures your organization is future-proof, with an IT infrastructure that grows alongside your ambitions.

Startups, in particular, are drawn to a cloud-first strategy. New businesses often don’t have (or have fewer) legacy servers that have been sitting in the office for years.

Thinking Cloud First isn’t just about preferring cloud solutions—it’s about developing a strategic vision where the cloud drives digital transformation.

Consider leveraging cloud-first technology for scalable, secure, and innovative IT solutions.

Businesses adopt this approach because it offers flexibility, reduces costs, and enables rapid innovation. With a cloud-first policy, you define how and when cloud technologies are deployed within your organization.

Managed Services

A crucial component of a cloud-first strategy is the use of Software as a Service (SaaS). SaaS solutions allow companies to use software applications via the cloud without the need for local installation or maintenance. This reduces operational costs, ensures continuous updates, and enables seamless scaling.

With a local cloud partner like Combell, you can rely on various Managed Services, such as Managed Kubernetes or Managed Odoo hosting. Clients always have access to the latest software and can collaborate easily from anywhere—all with expert support from setup to ongoing assistance.

Why do companies choose a Cloud-First strategy?

A well-implemented cloud-first environment offers businesses significant flexibility and scalability. Cloud infrastructure allows companies to quickly scale up or down based on their evolving needs.

Cost savings also play a key role: no more heavy investments in expensive servers and infrastructure. Businesses must constantly innovate, and cloud partners like Combell ensure access to the latest technologies and tools.

In addition, in the cloud you also have something like Capex vs Opex. The difference between Capex (capital expenditure) and Opex (operating expenditure) is important in the tech world. Capex includes large, one-off investments such as servers, while Opex refers to ongoing costs such as subscriptions.

The Opex model of Combell’s Cloud Services is particularly beneficial because you only pay for what you use. This provides flexibility, lowers upfront costs, and ensures predictable monthly expenses, making budgeting and scaling much easier.

Better collaboration and AI integration

Companies embrace a cloud-first strategy not just for its flexibility, scalability, and cost savings, but also for its continuous innovation and enhanced security.

With cloud-based data, businesses can quickly adapt to market changes, deploy new applications efficiently, and manage IT resources seamlessly.

Additionally, a cloud-first approach enhances global collaboration, providing instant access to data and applications from anywhere. It also enables the use of advanced tools like AI and machine learning.

Combell’s Managed Cloud Services empower businesses to fully leverage these benefits without worrying about technical complexity or system management.

Companies already experiencing these advantages include planning software provider Yesplan and Benerail, a key player in international train travel.

"What makes Combell unique for us is the direct accessibility of the people managing the cloud servers. They’ve essentially become part of our team."

Advantages of a Cloud-First approach

Types of cloud solutions: Public, Private, Hybrid

Companies implementing a cloud-first strategy can choose from three main types of cloud solutions:

• Public Cloud: Shared infrastructure, ideal for scalability and cost savings—often used by startups and growing businesses. More about public cloud.
• Private Cloud: A dedicated environment exclusively for one organization, ideal for businesses with strict security or regulatory requirements. More about private cloud.
• Hybrid Cloud: A combination of both, offering businesses flexibility—storing sensitive data in a private cloud while running less critical processes in the public cloud. Some infrastructure can also remain on-premise. More about hybrid cloud.

Combell offers tailored solutions within each of these models. Expect expert guidance, migration support, and continuous optimization for a future-proof IT environment.

Implementing successfull Cloud-First strategy

A successful cloud-first strategy requires careful planning and execution.

1️⃣ Start with a comprehensive analysis: Assess your current IT infrastructure, applications, and business needs. Identify which workloads are cloud-ready and prioritize them.

2️⃣ Choose the right cloud partner: Collaborate with an experienced provider like Combell, which has the expertise to guide you through the entire migration process.

3️⃣ Develop a phased implementation plan: Migrate step by step to minimize risks. Begin with less critical systems and gradually scale up.

4️⃣ Train your employees thoroughly: Provide training sessions, workshops, and continuous support to help your team become familiar with cloud technologies and new workflows.

5️⃣ Monitor and continuously optimize: Use monitoring tools and services to enhance security and performance. Adapt your cloud environment as your business needs evolve. By following these key steps, with the support of an experienced cloud provider, you’ll build a strong foundation for a successful cloud-first strategy.

Challenges of transitioning to Cloud First

Shifting to a cloud-first strategy comes with challenges. At Combell, we help businesses navigate the following key obstacles:

• Managing legacy systems: Many companies operate on older systems that are difficult to migrate. Combell provides expert support with custom migration services to ensure a smooth transition.
• Data security & compliance: Moving to the cloud means complying with strict security regulations like GDPR. You need advanced security measures to protect sensitive data and meet industry standards.
• Employee training: A cloud-first approach requires employees to learn new cloud tools and processes. Organizing training sessions and ongoing support helps teams adapt more efficiently. A local cloud provider like Combell can accelerate your internal learning curve, making the transition smoother and more effective. From startup to full implementation, expert guidance is key to a successful cloud-first transformation.

Combell's Managed Cloud Services

Combell offers extensive Managed Cloud Services, including 24/7 support, proactive monitoring, automatic updates and robust security.

Whether you are a start-up that wants to scale up quickly or a large company with complex IT needs, Combell provides a customised solution. With a focus on reliability and flexibility, Combell offers, among other things:

• Managed public cloud for scalable and cost-efficient solutions.
• Private cloud for maximum control and security.
• Hybrid cloud (or multi-cloud) for an optimal mix of flexibility and customisation.

Combell also uses migration services, disaster recovery solutions and continuous optimisation of your cloud environment.

Frequently asked questions about Cloud First