In particular, we encourage companies seeking to implement AI to adopt cloud computing before doing so. The cloud is crucial to the long-term sustainability of AI in business software. In this blog, we’ll show you four reasons why—and showcase the benefits of using the cloud and AI together.

#1: Scalability 

The first and most important reason the cloud is crucial to sustainable AI is scalability. AI is an incredibly resource-intensive technology, both in terms of physical and computational needs. The computing power needed to operate a Large Language Model (LLM) is extensive. Running an AI tool on an ever-increasing set of data in an on-premises system can overtax your software, leading to glitches, outages, or reduced speed. On the cloud, however, AI tools can scale with your business, taking advantage of the elastic infrastructure of the cloud.

#2: Cost-Efficiency 

By avoiding the resource drain that on-premises AI tools create, the cloud becomes the most cost-effective option as a foundation for AI. No need to purchase, maintain, or replace expensive on-premises hardware. Using AI in the cloud also translates to shorter, less expensive upgrades to the system. AI technology is evolving almost daily, and successful companies will take advantage of new tools as they emerge. Ultimately, using the cloud as the foundation for AI will result in the highest ROI for your company.

#3: Security 

As technology develops and improves, so too does malware. As long as there is valuable data on a computer, hackers and other bad actors will be attempting to access, steal, or hold hostage that data. Security risks can be especially acute with AI, as many AI tools have access to large quantities of business data. In most cases, the cloud provides much stronger security features than on-premises software since cloud providers work constantly to improve their security. Instead of putting the burden of security on your (probably already overworked!) IT team, you can entrust your data to a company who puts security at the very top of their priorities. In fact, some companies actually use AI tools of their own to detect emerging threats.

#4: Collaboration 

With a cloud foundation, it’s much easier for your employees to collaborate—no matter where in the world they may be. The best AI initiatives often require collaboration, and the cloud can enable real-time data flow across different devices. For the many businesses that still allow for remote or hybrid work, cloud collaboration is essential to everyday operations. AI tools can enhance this collaborative experience for everyone, no matter their distance from the office.

The Cloud Keeps You Current 

There’s one more reason you should ensure that your business’s foundation is in the cloud: that’s where all the business software development is heading. Software companies like M-Files and Epicor are investing heavily in their cloud-based products, not their on-premises solutions. In fact, they will often integrate AI tools only into their cloud-based products. In order to gain access to the most updated software versions, it’s important to upgrade to the cloud.

Here at Laminin, we can help move your company from an on-premises solution to the cloud. In fact, one of our clients recently saved $25,000 by switching from an on-premises M-Files implementation to the cloud version!

If you’re ready to save money and access innovation by transitioning your business software to the cloud, contact us today.