Encouraging businesses to go digital including migrating to the cloud and overcoming the challenges brought about by this move, was the main aim of the business breakfast organised by the Malta Communications Authority in its role as Chair of the Malta Cloud Forum, last week.

Back in 2016, government tasked the MCA with the promotion of cloud computing as a viable information system model for micro enterprises and SMEs. This widened the MCA's responsibilities in its ongoing promotion of eCommerce, which the MCA believes is one way via which enterprises can improve their turnover and customer reach capabilities.

This also triggered the foundation of the Malta Cloud Forum, a multi-stakeholder group of government and private entities who share a common interest in the adoption of cloud computing in Malta.

Opening the event via a recorded speech, the Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, Silvio Schembri, highlighted the benefits and transformational opportunities in operations that are brought about by cloud computing technologies.

"Cloud computing will enable new ideas to come to life overnight by speeding time-to-market. Whereas new businesses, which were once constrained by physical demands, facing months in procuring, installing and configuring hardware and software, will with cloud services be able to establish operations in days or even minutes. Your efforts can shift to higher-value activities, such as creating new products or services for your customers rather than focusing on the technology," Schembri said.

The benefits and challenges posed by cloud computing were further explored throughout the sessions delivered by representatives from EY, RSM and the MCA, as members of the MCF.

A fireside chat between Michael Azzopardi, senior manager at EY IT Advisory and Christopher Busuttil Delbridge, managing director of Evolve Ltd, delved into an SME's experience when adopting the cloud. Evolve Ltd identified the need for more real-time access to information, having a highly connected workforce and supporting an agile and fast growing company. Azzopardi, who has extensive international experience in assisting companies in defining their cloud strategy, discussed with Busuttil the experience of migrating to the cloud, the key decisions that had to be made, the impact on the staff and the key challenges experienced throughout the whole process, that resulted in the growth of Evolve Ltd from a traditional local trading company to an international solution provider.

Gordon Micallef on behalf of RSM presented the various paths available for SMEs to exploit cloud-based services that translate into business benefits. This graphical journey to the cloud is not the same for every organisation, however, it reflects the reality that every organisation can benefit from one or more cloud-based services. The journey depicted the challenges that SMEs face, as they are dealing with different nodes on their path to digital and the expected benefits in relation to digital communications, data, customers, finances and human resources.

Practical options for each of these nodes were discussed together with aspects such as simplification, automation opportunities, security and the relevant challenges involved.

Caryl McKay on behalf of the MCA stressed the Authority's commitment to raise cloud awareness and the take-up of new technologies among businesses.

A survey conducted by the MCA in 2017 found that among the 71% of small businesses that indicated that they seek to adopt new technology in order to save money, only 51% believed that they are sufficiently knowledgeable on cloud computing technologies.

Moreover, the vast majority of the businesses that were interviewed (64%) do not use cloud computing and do not plan to make use of cloud computing technologies in the near future.

In order to address this, the MCA, in collaboration with the MCF, will next year be undertaking a project called Excelerate, which aims to encourage businesses to go digital and invest in cloud technologies among others.

Through various information sessions, the project will delve into topics such as: Cloud Computing, Web Design, Security and much more. The project will be launched early next year with sessions planned to kickstart in March. Different sessions are planned to be scheduled every month and participants will be able to choose the sessions they follow depending on their topic preferences and needs.

For more information about Excelerate one may contact the MCA on [email protected]