The adoption of cloud-based strategies is today an urgent necessity for any company in Brazil that wants to remain competitive in the medium and long term. This is because a cloud strategy is not just an operational option for IT infrastructure: the choice of technology can be a catalyst for business transformation, given the agility the company gains in both daily processes and the development of innovations.
Data from the Brazilian Association of Information and Communication Technology Companies (Brasscom) indicate that the national cloud services market is expected to record average annual growth above 20% this year, reaching significant values in investments and financial transactions. This scenario clearly reveals the strategic importance of prioritizing cloud-first solutions, especially for companies that were not born digital.
However, many traditional organizations still face considerable obstacles to fully migrating to the cloud. Unlike startups, which are born in this environment, established companies face more complex challenges, ranging from the integration of legacy technologies to the cultural resistance of teams accustomed to conventional processes.
Benefits of the cloud-first strategy
A recent survey by consultancy Gartner revealed that Brazilian companies that implemented the cloud-first approach recorded an increase in operational efficiency, reaching rates 35% higher compared to less digitized competitors. Additionally, these companies significantly reduced their operational costs, with savings of up to 30% in IT infrastructure-related expenses, clearly showing the positive financial impact of this strategy.
For companies that still rely on a fully on-premises structure, there are several challenges to this migration. The main one is tied to organizational culture: there may be cultural resistance from teams accustomed to conventional processes, as well as initial uncertainty about regulatory issues, such as compliance with the General Data Protection Law (LGPD), and concerns about cloud data security. Additionally, there is the challenge of aligning considerable initial investments with internal expectations for quick results, especially in more conservative corporate contexts.
Those who overcome the initial barriers have a journey ahead to ensure the transition is relatively successful. The first step is conducting a detailed analysis of the organization’s technological maturity. This mapping should include the systems in use, existing technical limitations, and which areas need to be prioritized for migration. This initial diagnosis serves as a starting point for detailed planning.
Next, the strategic selection of cloud service providers is another decisive step. In the Brazilian market, offerings are broad and diversified, allowing companies to select providers that best align with their technical, operational, and security needs. A recent report by IDC Brazil revealed that about 62% of organizations that successfully adopted cloud opted for hybrid or multicloud strategies, precisely due to the enhanced flexibility and security provided by different providers.
The planning and migration phase is especially sensitive. The migration roadmap needs to be clear, detailed, and gradual. It should include well-defined stages, from migrating less critical systems to those requiring greater stability and operational control. Good planning ensures not only efficiency in the technological transition but also avoids serious operational failures that could compromise business results.
Information security is another aspect that needs to be prioritized in this change. Data from cybersecurity company Fortinet indicate that 54% of Brazilian organizations adopting cloud-first environments intensify their security policies, incorporating advanced solutions such as end-to-end encryption, real-time monitoring, and predictive threat analysis. These investments significantly increase information security and meet legal requirements, such as those imposed by the LGPD, ensuring full compliance.
Financial aspect is a strong point of the cloud
Another point to emphasize in the cloud-first transformation is the financial aspect. Although there is a considerable initial investment, studies show that the financial return is quickly achieved through reduced expenses in maintaining physical infrastructure and significant efficiency gains. A recent study by consultancy McKinsey in Brazil indicated that companies that fully adopted the cloud-first model achieved a return on their initial investment in less than two years, a result considered extremely positive by national market standards.
Moreover, the scalability provided by the cloud allows companies to quickly adjust their technological resources according to market demand. This means not only reducing costs but also ensuring greater agility and speed in responding to customers, a decisive factor for competing in a highly dynamic and volatile market like Brazil’s.
In conclusion, adopting a cloud-first strategy represents a strategic competitive advantage for Brazilian companies, especially those that were not born digital. By combining structured planning, careful selection of providers, intense focus on digital security, and robust investment in team training, these organizations will be prepared not only to survive but to lead in an increasingly competitive and demanding digital landscape.
