Over the past decade, the evolution of technology infrastructure has seen significant changes. In the mid-2010s, a business's technology infrastructure was a key differentiator, showcasing the firm’s breadth and depth of maturity. Deals were often won based on demonstrating superior technology capabilities. However, as cloud adoption grew, particularly in data-sensitive industries like financial services, firms realized the advantages of outsourcing their technology infrastructure. This shift transformed infrastructure from a differentiator into a commodity, leveling the playing field for firms regardless of their in-house technology capabilities. Today, infrastructure choices are abundant, including multi-vendor cloud providers, in-house data centers, colocation and SaaS solutions. This hybrid approach, while reducing vendor risk, introduces complexity and potential security threats. So, what’s the answer?
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The Shift to Managed IT Services
As the landscape of IT infrastructure continues to evolve, the need for a streamlined, secure and efficient approach becomes paramount. This is where managed IT services come into play. Managed IT services, such as those offered by SS&C, provide a comprehensive solution that enables businesses to focus on their core activities while leaving the complexities of technology infrastructure to experts. Here are three key advantages of rationalizing your infrastructure environment through managed IT services:
- Improved Security and Threat Reduction
When data is dispersed across multiple providers, the risk of data breaches and security threats increases. The transmission of data between various data centers and the involvement of multiple personnel across different organizations expose sensitive information to potential bad actors. By consolidating sensitive data into fewer data centers and adopting a more centralized infrastructure strategy, businesses can significantly reduce these risks. A unified approach to data management ensures better control, monitoring and protection of critical information, mitigating the threat vectors associated with a dispersed infrastructure.
- Enhanced Focus on Processing
Managing data across multiple locations with varying security standards can lead to processing complexities. Businesses that have grown through acquisitions often deal with data scattered across numerous sites. This dispersion not only complicates data management but also increases the risk of security breaches. By rationalizing the infrastructure and reducing the number of processing endpoints, businesses can streamline operations, enhance processing efficiency and simplify data management. A more focused approach allows for better resource allocation and quicker response times in the event of an incident.
- Reduced Cost of Processing
Connecting to multiple sites incurs significant network costs. By consolidating infrastructure and reducing the need for extensive data transmission between disparate data centers, businesses can achieve substantial cost savings. A centralized approach to IT infrastructure minimizes network expenses and optimizes resource utilization. Furthermore, leveraging virtual desktops and centralized data centers reduces the need for spreading data across various environments, further lowering operational costs.
The Benefits of Data Localization
Data localization, often viewed as a regulatory requirement, can also serve as a strategic approach to enhance security. By limiting the movement of data in and out of data centers, businesses can reduce the exposure of sensitive information to potential threats. This is another reason why centralizing data within fewer, well-secured data centers minimizes the risk associated with data transmission and enhances overall data security. Virtual desktops and centralized infrastructure solutions offer a secure and efficient way to manage data without the need for extensive data movement across multiple environments.
The Future of IT Infrastructure
The trend towards digital transformation continues. In 2019, Gartner predicted that 80% of enterprises will have closed their traditional data centers by 2025, opting for a mix of colocation, cloud, on-premises and edge delivery options. While the full 80% change predicted may not have been fully realized yet, the shift reflects the growing recognition of the benefits of a hybrid approach to IT infrastructure.
Consolidating data and infrastructure into fewer, more secure data centers allows businesses to better monitor and protect their information. Managed IT Service Providers, such as SS&C, offer in-house data security experts and advanced security measures to safeguard data effectively. Combining clients’ existing technology needs with the technology provided by SS&C’s business services means the amount of movement of sensitive data and cost is significantly reduced. Businesses must consider their specific needs, including data sensitivity, compliance requirements, scalability and budget, when choosing the right infrastructure strategy. Public clouds promise cost-effectiveness and scalability, private clouds provide control and security, and hybrid clouds deliver a balance of both.
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, businesses must adapt to stay competitive. Managed IT services offer a strategic solution to streamline infrastructure, enhance security and reduce costs. By consolidating data and rationalizing infrastructure, businesses can focus on their core activities while ensuring their technology needs are expertly managed. As the trend towards rationalized hybrid infrastructure models continues, the time to start your digital transformation is now, and SS&C can help. Download our "IT Solutions to Support Growth" brochure to learn more about the future of IT infrastructure with SS&C's Managed IT Services and unlock the full potential of your business.
