The future of the cloud: key trends in focus

The future of the cloud: key trends in focus

October 5th, 2020

With IT departments facing budget pressures, we might have expected cloud adoption plans to be put on ice. But in fact, the opposite has been the case. Recent trends have shown that financial constraints actually strengthen the case in favour of cloud migration.

Here’s a closer look at why, despite a challenging business landscape, cloud-based digital transformation has continued apace…

The cloud and business survival
Business continuity was the big priority in the first half of the year. As lockdowns took hold, firms needed new solutions for communication, collaboration, as well as remote access to business data and applications. Cloud-based services proved pivotal in ensuring operational continuity.

In its global cloud services overview, Canalys found that spending on cloud infrastructure services jumped 11 percent in Q2 2020 compared to the previous three months, and was up 30 percent year-on-year.

Fast forward to the autumn, and most firms have already covered the basics to adjust to remote working. So does this mean we are about to witness a dampening down on cloud adoption? It seems not.

COVID-19 has forced organisations to reassess their strategic priorities. KPMG, in its recent Enterprise Reboot report found that whereas the emphasis back in March was on continuity, “the immediate focus is now on survival”. Companies are investing in the areas where their cash is likely to have the biggest positive impact.

This includes investment in technologies that help companies maintain customer and stakeholder trust, to keep remote workforces connected, and to ensure that businesses are prepared for further disruptions.

Business decision making is another priority area. To compete, businesses need the ability to react quickly to changing circumstances, which means the ability to query data at speed is essential. On top of this, IT architecture must be compatible with increasingly demanding data analytics methods.

It means that more than ever, organisations need data warehousing solutions that are powerful, scalable, flexible and secure. This is precisely the type of environment that the cloud can offer. 38% of companies plan to increase their cloud spend this year (up from 31% last year). Small wonder that cloud adoption is continuing apace.

Slow adopters change their attitude
Some sectors have been markedly more reluctant than others to embrace the cloud. Factors holding organisations back include regulatory compliance rules (especially over data storage), nervousness over data security, and fears over reliability and data availability.

The banking sector was traditionally seen more cautious than most when it came to the cloud. Now though, things are changing. As a couple of high profile examples, AWS has recently agreed a multi-year partnership with HSBC, while Google Cloud has linked up with Deutsche Bank. For the banks, the emphasis is on modernising their architecture, increasing their data analytics capabilities and creating a more personalised customer experience.

So what is driving the change of mind? Money plays a big part. Whether you’re a global bank or an SME, it’s often the case that switching to the cloud is a cheaper way to scale up your capacity and capabilities, compared to trying to overhaul your on-premise legacy architecture.

It’s also the case that the cloud itself has evolved. For instance, improved container technology makes it much easier to deploy multiple cloud providers as back up, significantly reducing the chances of an outage. On the security front, there’s also the realisation that tapping into the cyber security expertise of the likes of AWS, Google and Microsoft is likely to be a safer bet than relying solely on in-house security capabilities. As fears over reliability and security are reduced, the case in favour of the cloud becomes impossible to ignore.

Achieving success and managing expectations in 2020 and beyond
The cloud promises a lot. But organisations need to realise that cloud migration is not necessarily a quick fix for whatever challenges they happen to be facing.

A reminder of this came in a recent survey of 350 companies by security vendors Fortinet and supply chain specialists, IHS Markit. Of the respondents, 74% had migrated at least one asset into the cloud, only to later move it back into their on-premise infrastructure. The two top reasons for the reversal, cited by 52% of respondents, were performance and security.

Organisations migrate their data and applications to the cloud for a wide variety of reasons. For instance, it could be to support wider business transformation initiatives, to boost your storage capacity, to facilitate wider systems access, to reduce your IT spend – or a combination of all of these and more.

These days, with resources under pressure, it’s going to be more important than ever for businesses to take a planned, measured approach to cloud adoption. What do we expect from the cloud – and what do we want to do when we get there? Only once you have articulated this can you define the performance levels you need – and hone in on the specific cloud solutions you need in order to reach them.

Why Millennium Consulting?

Our cloud migration expertise – combined with innovative tools for data cleansing, mapping and reconciliation – ensure that your move to the cloud is as efficient and effective as possible.


Contact us for further details

If you would like any further information on this subject, please submit your details and one of our experts will be in touch.

Contact us

Millennium Million Step Challenge

Millennium Million Step Challenge

October 1st, 2020

Please support us with this worthwhile initiative! You are invited to take part in the Millennium Million Step Challenge to help us reach our combined overall target of 100 million steps by the end of the year whilst raising £10,000 for UK charity Shelter UK.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced funds raised by most charities this year and we expect that UK homeless people will be particularly affected this coming winter. We are now asking volunteers to support us by taking part in the Million Step Challenge to raise funds at the Millennium Million Step Challenge “Shelter” Just Giving page.

Download the ‘Move Spring’ app and join our challenge using this link: https://app.movespring.com/signup/confirm-organization and connect your fitness tracking device.

We have set a deadline of Sunday 13th December 2020 – join us today and you’ll need to walk an average of 13,700 steps per day to reach 1 million (73 days!) Walking 20,000 steps per day will take 50 days. The app will record yours and overall group steps so progress can be tracked towards the overall target of 100 million steps.

Ask your friends and families to sponsor you at our Just Giving page and/or also take part.


Millennium Raising Futures Kenya Golf Day 2020

 Millennium Raising Futures Kenya Golf Day

September 29th, 2020

Following postponement in June on account of COVID-19, the annual Millennium Consulting Raising Futures Kenya Golf Day finally got underway last Friday at Surrey National Golf Club.

Millennium has supported Raising Futures Kenya (formerly Vision Africa) for over 15 years and thanks are due for the support of our corporate sponsors and the players who took part including special guest, former World Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion John Conteh.

The players faced cold weather, high winds but thankfully no rain. It was a Ryder Cup style Europe v USA team competition with the US team captained by Clive Hunt emerging as winners. The 4 ball team prize was won by Jono Hill’s team whilst Matt Sutton won the individual stableford prize with a creditworthy 41 points. Closest to the flag was Tom Edmonds whilst the longest drive was achieved by James Conteh who clearly packs a punch in common with his father John Conteh.

Following the golf and post round dinner, a short presentation was provided by Andy King, Board of Trustees Chair at Raising Futures Kenya, who shared an update about how the funds raised in 2019 have been spent. He explained that with lockdown forcing the closure of all Seed of Hope centres, the team has adapted their education programmes to provide young Kenyans with distance learning via smartphones. This has been a successful initiative although additional smart phones (costing £43 each) are needed so that the program can be extended to a larger number of students.

£3,000 was raised for the charity and we look forward to hearing how the funds are being used when we meet again next year. If you are interested in taking part in 2021 then please refer to www.millenniumconsulting.com for details and registration.


The Millennium Consulting Unit4 Financials Global Conference 2020 ONLINE

The Millennium Consulting Unit4 Financials Global Conference 2020 ONLINE


Millennium’s biggest event of the year goes virtual! Hear from Unit4 Financials leaders all in your browser and on-demand.

Below you will find interesting presentations relating to Unit4 Financials, associated products and tools and Project/Change Management.

Unit4 CEO Mike Ettling

Unit4 CEO Mike Ettling speaking at the Millennium Consulting Unit4 Financials Conference 2020.


The best new features introduced in Unit4 Coda Financials Versions 13 and 14

The best new features introduced in Unit4 Coda Financials Versions 13 and 14. Presented by Millennium Consulting's US Consulting Manager Mike Robinson.


Unit4 Financials February 2020 release and future plans

Unit4 Product Director Craig Bass presenting - Unit4 Financials 2020 Q2 and the Unit4 Roadmap - At the Millennium Consulting Unit4 Financials (Lockdown - Online) Conference 2020.


Tips on how to best maintain your Unit4 Financials system if hosted on premise

Tips on how to best maintain your Unit4 Financials system if hosted on premise. Presented by Millennium Principal Technical Consultant Jawaid Maqbool.


Unit4 Financials 2020 Q2 (previously known as version 15)

The new features of Unit4 Financials 2020 Q2 (previously known as version 15) at the Millennium Consulting Unit4 Financials Conference 2020. Presented by Millennium's Principal Consultant Phil Leaf.


Unit4 Prevero Integrated Financial Planning Model

Unit4 Financial Planning & Analysis makes it faster and easier for your people ... Unit4 Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is the new name for Unit4 Prevero. Presented Oliver Sullivin Principal Solution Consultant at Unit4.


Life after Coronavirus, longer term impact on global trends, business and your wider world

The keynote speech - Life after Coronavirus, longer term impact on global trends, business and your wider world. Presented by Patrick Dixon - Europe's leading futurist.


Millennium MBilling Powered by Icorp

If you are looking for a powerful invoicing solution that easily integrates with various source systems as well as with your financial system, we invite you to join this presentation of Millennium MBilling - Brought to you by Icorp.


The current tax landscape - Brexit, MTD, COVID from Avalara: Automated Tax Software

Join tax compliance experts from Avalara as they take a look at the impact of recent events on businesses when it comes to tax compliance.



The Five Elements to Project Success

The Five Elements to Project Success


We live in unprecedented times. Rapid changes in business requirements and technological capabilities have made it more challenging for firms to keep pace and stay ahead of the competition.

Now, more than ever, they need expert help to meet the shifting needs of today’s customers, suppliers, employees and regulators.

Here are the five principles firms need to focus on to find the right partner for their finance transformation and business change projects:

  1. Be Ready for Constant Change
  2. The Best Consultants are Mentors
  3. Long-Term Relationships Yield Stronger Results
  4. Keep your Stakeholders Engaged
  5. Look for a Track Record of Delivery Success

Download Brochure to read more

Millennium Brochure

Millennium Consulting: Experience the Difference


At Millennium Consulting, we are experts in financial transformation, accounting, regulation, software design and development, and the impact of business and technology change.

For 25 years, we have built a reputation for quality, value and delivery. We provide global solutions and services across the world’s most demanding industries, with customers in areas as diverse as finance, logistics, construction and manufacturing.

Our customers share a common objective – solving their complex business-critical problems with no margin for error.

Consulting

Our Consulting practitioners are experts in delivering financial transformation advice and insights built on decades of industry experience.

Solutions

Our best-in-class software Solutions solve complex problems and deliver strategic, long-lasting investments. They are robust, reliable, and delivered on time and to budget.

Services

Our Services provide customers with dedicated support, expertise and ongoing management. We are your partner for growth.

Download Brochure to read more

Millennium Consulting Recognised as Unit4 Financials Top Partner

Millennium Consulting Recognised as Unit4 Financials Top Partner

August 5th, 2020

Last month (June 2020) Unit4 announced a partnership with Raven Intel, an independent review site allowing customers to share feedback and experience.

Millennium Consulting are delighted to report we have been recognised as the top Financials Partner; receiving the most reviews – twenty one positive reviews to date, with a near-perfect score of 4.8/5.

For 25 years, we have built a reputation for quality, value and delivery. We provide global solutions and services across the world’s most demanding industries, with customers in finance, logistics, construction and manufacturing.

We call it the Millennium advantage…

Read our reviews

Creating a Successful Platform for Finance Transformation

Solutions brochure


A general ledger system is an important element in operating a successful finance function. However, there are still many processes around this system that rely on manual, resource intensive-tasks. From data quality to auditability, you can’t streamline your wider finance function without the ability to effectively manage the data flowing through your organisation.

In this brochure, we outline the five steps to augment your ledger, keep your data flowing and create a platform for wider digital transformation.

Read the solutions brochure