Tech experts want firms to adopt cloud technology

Experts in the technology sector have asked local enterprises to opt for advanced systems to match the demands of the evolving business environment.

Farouk Semambya, an Information Technology (IT) Architect at MTN Uganda said cloud computing technology allows enterprises to introduce new ways of working, and cost saving while eliminating the inefficiencies created by traditional automation.

He made the remarks during a roundtable discussion held by Liquid Intelligent Technologies and The Innovation Village under the theme: "What Next: Technology’s response through cloud and cybersecurity?"

"All businesses need to be connected to the internet because it is now a necessity. With internet, you access everything. You need to be cloud-ready by surrounding yourself with tools that do the work," said Semambya.

Enterprises that embrace cloud computing services lower the cost of doing business as regards IT costs especially at a time when startups are rising out of the distress caused by the pandemic.

"You bring in value by associating your enterprise with cloud. The biggest challenges startups face is capital and for them to grow, they need to make sure the cash flow is there and can be managed. One of the solutions is to have some of their innovations being hosted around the cloud environment. The opportunities are there. As an enterprise, you can easily scale with a cloud offering, you can easily manage cash flow when you pay for what you need rather than what you think you may need," Grace Kamulegeya, a software solutions architect and consultant at Makerere University, said.

This discussion comes against the backdrop of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on companies.

Dennis Keko Kahindi, chief executive officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Uganda said the roundtable discussion intends to explore the major changes within the cloud economy and demystify factors driving today’s private cloud valuations, the new cloud frameworks, and emerging strategies to help entrepreneurs measure growth and drive go-to-market momentum.

"To enhance our value proposition on technology development, we have partnered with entities like Microsoft through the Go-Cloud initiative to raise awareness, adoption and usage of Azure Cloud across Africa. This programme provides connectivity and cloud-based services tailored to start-ups at different gestation stages, enabling them to grow and scale their businesses," Kahindi said.