Connected worker solutions have enabled industrial and asset-intensive companies to surf the cutting edge of digital transformation. Such platforms alter the status quo within organizations by integrating technology into all aspects of an enterprise. Operational models have become more agile. Frontline workers are more empowered. Organizations now approach issues and problem solving in new and better ways.
A large number of connected worker solution clients have hosted their vendor’s platform on-premise. That is, the software resided on the client’s server at their headquarters or the industrial plant or facility. The arrangement proved satisfactory for all concerned for many years. Now, however, a big change looms just over the horizon. This change may prompt – or even force – on-premise customers to switch to cloud-based connected worker solution hosting. If your vendor has contacted you about changing your hosting arrangement, it may just be a matter of time.
This blog is the first in a three-part series on moving from on-premise hosting to the cloud. Today we’ll examine why vendors are ending their on-premise arrangements and how that will impact your organization. Part II will discuss the general advantages cloud-based hosting provides over on-premise. Finally, Part III will introduce what makes Innovapptive the right choice for you when you switch to a cloud-based solution.
Is On-Premise Connected Worker Solution Hosting Going Away?
The answer looks to be yes. Cloud-based computing has exploded over the last decade. This is due to a long list of reasons. But the primary factor is that Cloud computing enables users to better virtualize and consolidate computer resources without a large investment of money and equipment. Cloud computing lets companies better utilize Big Data analytics versus on-premise systems. Cloud computing’s service-based architecture enables simultaneous use of multiple applications, regardless of the vendor, product, or technology. We’ll cover more of these in Part II. The idea here is that cloud computing is growing in the marketplace while on-premise is shrinking.
Vendors have noticed this movement and are focusing their efforts in cloud-based computing’s direction. As the number of on-premise clients shrinks, vendors naturally begin to question the wisdom of continuing to offer such a service that more and more appears to be doomed. Many vendors are now actively pushing their existing clients to abandon their on-premise arrangement and move to cloud hosting. Others aren’t giving a choice and are sunsetting their existing on-premise products, take it or leave it. The future of on-premise-hosted connected worker solutions is dim at best.
Now’s the Time to Move to the Cloud
If you’re currently an on-premise connected worker solution client, it’s the perfect time for you to consider a switch to cloud-based hosting. Cloud-based systems are not new. They’ve been on the market for several years now and have a proven track record of success. You won’t be someone’s guinea pig as they work out the bugs in a new, untested system.
If your current vendor hasn’t announced a sunset date for on-premise, you have time to perform careful due diligence and search for a vendor that will work with you, answer your questions, and give you trustworthy advice on the right direction for your company. Even if your present vendor has announced an on-premise end date, generally they give several months' notice before ending on-premise service. But don’t wait until the last minute to begin a search. Rushed searches often lead to expensive mistakes, unrealized returns on investment and unhappy frontline workers.
In Part II, we’ll examine the reasons why you should consider a cloud-based connected worker solution, the advantages they offer and what to look for in a vendor.
Curious? Here’s How to Learn More … Today
Innovapptive, a cloud-based connected worker solution pioneer, specializes in SAP- and IBM Maximo-compatible mobile plant maintenance systems that improve technician productivity, transform reactive processes and cut downtime costs. We understand switching from on-premise to the cloud can cause stress. Let us show you there’s nothing to be concerned about in such a move. Schedule a free demo of a world-class, cloud-based connected worker platform or call 888-464-6668 to speak to our industry experts. They’ll be happy to answer your questions, help you calculate return on investments, identify opportunities for efficiencies and savings, and explain how a cloud-based connected worker solution can benefit you.
