This document contains general information, may be based on authorities that are subject to change, and is not a substitute for professional advice or services. This document does not constitute audit, tax, consulting, business, financial, investment, legal or other professional advice, and you should consult a qualified professional advisor before taking any action based on the information herein. RSM US LLP, its affiliates and related entities are not responsible for any loss resulting from or relating to reliance on this document by any person. Internal Revenue Service rules require us to inform you that this communication may be deemed a solicitation to provide tax services. This communication is being sent to individuals who have subscribed to receive it or who we believe would have an interest in the topics discussed. RSM US LLP is a limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms. The member firms of RSM International collaborate to provide services to global clients, but are separate and distinct legal entities that cannot obligate each other. Each member firm is responsible only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of any other party. Visit rsmus.com/aboutus for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International. RSM, the RSM logo and the power of being understood are registered trademarks of RSM International Association. © 2022 RSM US LLP. All Rights Reserved.
+1 800 274 3978 | Contact us rsmus.com
6 ways IT helps you play in the big leagues
Leveraging the cloud for middle market business success
Middle market companies have different reasons for wanting to move to the cloud. The motivation may be to modernize IT operations or lower IT costs or gain more flexibility or security than a traditional IT infrastructure can offer. Whatever your company’s reasons, here are six key advantages the cloud can provide.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Lower costs, increase cash flow, scale quickly
Moving infrastructure and workloads to the cloud helps you reduce hardware purchases and lower capital investments, along with the accompanying labor and maintenance costs. And that means increased cash flow. With an OpEx model, you pay only for the capacity you need, when you need it, and gain the ability to scale quickly and easily as business demands fluctuate.
1.
The cloud enables your organization to consolidate all your systems and data. It also makes these resources more accessible, accurate and consistent across your company. With cloud provider safeguards in place, you’ll also ensure business continuity, better systems and application resilience, and reliable disaster recovery.
Streamline IT and enhance resilience
2.
Middle market companies today have offices all over the world and a mix of remote and on-site workers. Your employees need to be able to access applications and data anytime, anywhere and from any device. The cloud removes your geographical barriers and empowers employees to deliver their best work. When you move to an “as-a-Service” model, your organization can consume just about anything through a pay-as-you-go model. This allows you to meet your specific business need at a cost tolerance that makes sense to your business, be it Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) or Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).
Shift to a modern way of working and an “as-a-Service” model
3.
Cloud providers typically have powerful tools integrated within their platforms that your team can use to monitor and manage all your systems through a single portal. Not only can these tools provide your company with visibility into your IT operations, but they also greatly simplify IT management while ensuring that your IT staff can focus on more strategic activities.
Enhance IT operations visibility and simplify IT management
4.
Most middle market organizations don’t have the security infrastructure and staff necessary to protect their systems, software and data effectively—or keep up with changing government and industry regulations. Thankfully, most cloud providers have world-class security infrastructures that provide greater access to tools and capabilities that visualize, monitor, classify and remediate threats. And they offer compliance controls that allow you to easily establish guardrails, policies, frameworks, baselines and blueprints.
Enhance security and compliance
5.
With the cloud, you have access to the same world-class enterprise software applications and IT resources that larger companies use—without all the up-front costs. These resources help you:
Level the playing field with big league agility and innovation
• Scale resources on demand
• Expand to new markets
• Enable collaboration for faster innovation
• Accelerate time to market
• Adapt to changing internal and external business dynamics quickly
6.
After a merger or acquisition, the cloud enables your company to consolidate multiple instances of applications more easily. Or, in emerging acquisition deals, where your company must exit a transition services agreement (TSA) within a specific timeframe, the cloud allows you to make that transition quickly.
Bonus Benefit
When done right, your cloud strategy can transform your company’s IT operations as well as how your business operates—for the better.
