Cloud computing solutions for business in 2026

The three service models

• SaaS - ready-made applications such as Microsoft 365, your CRM or finance system
• PaaS - a platform for developers to build and run applications without managing servers
• IaaS - virtual servers, storage and networking you configure yourself, replacing a physical data centre

What businesses actually buy first

Most UK SMEs start with SaaS for email, productivity and line-of-business applications, then add cloud backup and disaster recovery, then move remaining on-premise servers to IaaS or a hosted private cloud once the appetite for managing physical hardware runs out.

Cost, done properly

• Cloud replaces capital spend on servers with predictable operating cost
• Costs scale with usage, so unmanaged sprawl can erode the saving without governance
• Right-sizing and reserved pricing typically cut cloud infrastructure bills by a meaningful margin
• Factor in bandwidth: cloud-heavy operations need reliable, adequately sized connectivity

Security and compliance are not automatic

Cloud providers secure the platform; you remain responsible for identity, access control, configuration and data. Multi-factor authentication, conditional access, encryption and a tested backup separate from your production environment are still your job, whichever provider you use.

Choosing a partner rather than just a platform

• Look for integrated support across technology services and clear data residency commitments
• Confirm SLAs for uptime and support response, not just marketing claims
• Check migration methodology and rollback plans before signing anything
• Ask how backup, security monitoring and patching are handled, not assumed

A sensible order of operations

Audit what you run today and where it sits, agree what genuinely needs to move first, pilot with a lower-risk workload, then migrate in phases with tested rollback points. Businesses that migrate everything in one weekend tend to be the ones firefighting for the next month.