| dc.description.abstract | This master’s thesis delves into the comprehensive assessment of transitioning from on- premises infrastructure to cloud services, focusing on the impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). With the rapidly evolving technological landscape, a shift towards cloud services is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, the implications, primarily in terms of costs and operations, are not thoroughly understood. This research seeks to bridge this knowledge gap through an in-depth exploration of the associated benefits, both direct and indirect, and operational improvements resulting from this transition.
The research employs a combination of extensive literature review and comprehensive simulations to evaluate the cost implications of this transition, considering both direct costs, such as infrastructure and staff expenses, and indirect costs, such as operational inefficiencies. Additionally, it investigates operational benefits, primarily enhanced resource allocation and server efficiency.
The findings reveal a significant reduction in both direct and indirect costs resulting from the transition, with staff expenses and operational inefficiencies emerging as substantial contributors. Notably, the research demonstrates an increase in worker utilization and a reduction in service time, suggesting improvements in operational efficiency. Moreover, the cost-benefit analysis indicates a robust ROI, increased NPV, and decreased TCO, thereby establishing the economic viability of the transition.
The study's implications are twofold, offering significant insights for SMEs contemplating cloud migration and contributing to the academic discourse on cloud services. The research underscores the need for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis capturing both financial and operational implications and highlights the potential for cloud services to enhance business operations. This thesis represents a critical step towards a comprehensive understanding of the transition from on-premises infrastructure to cloud services, illuminating the potential benefits for SMEs and guiding informed decision-making. Future research should delve deeper into the identification of the most influential benefits, conducting sensitivity analyses, and broadening the investigation to various industry sectors and different cloud models. | |