Cloud computing technologies have seen an impressive surge in uptake in recent years, thanks to their remote working potential. In fact, the global cloud professional services market size is expected to surpass £30 billion by 2026. As the Cloud expands, the productivity, scalability and accessibility benefits are becoming undeniable, but one question still weighs heavy on business owners’ minds: is Cloud computing cheaper for businesses in professional services?

While it is unrealistic to claim that Cloud computing is automatically cheaper than on-premises solutions, with the right set up and implementation, there can be significant cost saving benefits. In particular, Microsoft offers a variety of Cloud solutions that allow you to reduce expenditure.

Microsoft Azure

Azure is Microsoft’s public Cloud platform. Virtualising your hardware in the Azure Cloud helps you to save on long term hardware investments. You are no longer responsible for the upkeep, monitoring and maintenance of on-premises hardware, freeing resources financially and operationally.

Azure also operates on a pay as you go model, meaning that you only ever pay for what you are using. You can configure autoscaling, which will allow you to allocate and deallocate resources depending on your specific performance needs. You can also identify and shut down idle or unused Virtual Machines, saving on underutilised resources. With no long-term commitments or up-front purchases, and impressive scalability and tracking capabilities, migrating to Azure helps you to reduce costs significantly.

Azure Virtual Desktop

As suggested by its name, Azure Virtual Desktop is a Desktop as a Service solution that runs on the Azure Cloud and provides a plethora of benefits to professional services business like yours. It permits access to your Windows desktop, operating systems and connected applications from anywhere with an internet connection as well as offering a range of cost saving opportunities. You can leverage your existing Microsoft licenses to reduce the cost of Azure Virtual Desktop significantly. You only pay for your virtual servers when your virtual desktop is in use, ensuring that you never face unexpected extra costs. A fantastic remote work facilitator and productivity promotor, Azure Virtual Desktop adds value not only to your Microsoft Cloud stack, but to your business as a whole.

Windows 365

Windows 365 is a Cloud-based service from Microsoft that automatically creates new Windows virtual machines – or Cloud PCs – for users. Windows 365 allows you to experience their complete Windows environment on any device of their choosing, by mirroring the data, setting and applications from other Microsoft devices. So, how does Windows 365 answer the question of ‘is Cloud computing cheaper for professional services businesses?’. Windows 365 eliminates the need to source, pay for and install multiple Windows operating systems. A scalable and simple solution, deliverable to any device, Windows 365 also allows you to minimise hardware costs. As users only need a physical device to log into their Cloud PC, typical concerns about memory, storage, computing power and performance are minimised. Like Azure, Windows 365 is scalable according to the needs of the user, meaning that you never have to pay for more than you use.

Is Cloud Computing Cheaper for Your Business?

Simply put, if configured and utilised correctly, then yes, Cloud computing is cheaper for your professional services business. In addition to its extensive productivity, accessibility and efficiency boosting benefits, the Microsoft Cloud has a range of cost-saving advantages. Harness the power of these innovative Cloud solutions to reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs, minimise wastage and optimise performance.

To find out more about the near infinite capabilities of the Microsoft Cloud, download our eBook, Migrate and Modernise: Embracing the Microsoft Cloud.