The hype around cloud services can make it difficult to know where to start and to understand the real benefits.
This is the view of consultancy firm, Accenture, which notes that determining the value of cloud computing to an organisation - and how to realise this value - is at the heart of creating a cloud strategy.
In an interview with ITWeb, Craig Albertson, cloud lead for Accenture, noted that cloud computing can do more than reduce the existing cost of technology.
"A cloud strategy can help an organisation to identify ways to improve the way the business runs and also propel top-line growth through new business opportunities."
According to Accenture, a properly defined cloud strategy can help deliver a variety of benefits that will affect how the business uses and interacts with technology. Cloud has an impact on the technology architecture, as well as IT operations and its relationship with the business, it notes.
The firm also points out that having a cloud strategy is important as it provides a clear roadmap for what could be a complex journey. It requires deep insight into the IT landscape, organisational capabilities, operational impact and, above all, business drivers.
Albertson added that a cloud strategy can empower organisations to tackle fundamental issues like the increasing cost of ageing IT, changing inefficient and rigid business processes, while also providing faster, more agile technology to support business growth.
The nature of cloud services makes it increasingly simple for organisations to open new channels, expand into new geographies and target new customers, he added.
Accenture is targeting the local financial services industry with its cloud offerings, despite being a late entrant into the market.
Albertson noted that the company's cloud strategy provides clarity on how to start the cloud journey and how to become a cloud-enabled organisation.
He also explained that the Accenture cloud platform provides management and control over cloud services that are being delivered to financial services institutes, whether by Accenture or from a third-party provider such as Microsoft or SAP.
The platform can be accessed on-demand with services managed remotely, or can be installed on-site, allowing businesses to bridge legacy and next-generation cloud technologies, he added.
Among the services the company offers are public and virtual private cloud infrastructure, data decommissioning, software systems testing and big data analytics solutions in the cloud.
According to Albertson, Accenture's business model focuses more on large enterprises than on SMEs. Should Accenture make a breakthrough in the financial services sector, it will move into other sectors, like mining.
Albertson notes that, in terms of cloud maturity, SA is still behind most countries, with many organisations still experimenting with the technology.
Among the factors hindering cloud adoption in SA, Albertson cited complexity, risk and financial modelling.
He also noted that, with laws like the Protection of Personal Information Bill still to be finalised, a lot of organisations are reluctant to jump onto the cloud bandwagon, as they do not have the confidence to do so.
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