How Satellite-cloud Integration Enables Successful Remote Working

How Satellite-cloud Integration Enables Successful Remote Working
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The Covid-19 global health crisis has changed – and continues to change – the working world as we know it. With many industries screeching to a halt in the wake of the virus, the importance of satellite connectivity cannot be overstated. SES’ Director of Fixed Data Sales for Europe, Antonio Bove recently shared his perspective on the future of satellite technologies in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a recent GVF webinar entitled “The Satellite Integral Factor II: Will Working From Home Render the Cloud a Different Animal?”, Antonio explored the intricacies of working from home and its impact on cloud-based technologies. Antonio said, “What SES is doing is embracing the cloud in order to make sure that we are able to integrate the advantages of this technology into our services”. The combination of satellite, cloud, and terrestrial infrastructures enables increased distribution of data, allowing SES to stay at the forefront of uninterrupted service delivery, thereby empowering millions of individuals who are working from home during the pandemic.

SES has also been embracing the cloud for internal company processes. By making use of Microsoft cloud-based applications, SES ensures that existing business processes are further streamlined. Shifting to the cloud is strategically imperative because of its potential to deliver unparalleled business agility; that is, the ability of a business to respond quickly to opportunities and risks, with IT flexibility being a key facet.

Furthermore, SES believes that the cloud will be a revenue-generating driver with the announcement of direct partnerships with Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute and IBM Direct Link. These partnerships will allow increased quality of experience for the end-users, with direct cloud connectivity providing increased reliability and security, with less latency and fewer potential points of failure (for example, the average latency between Sydney and Paris is 240-310ms); as well as overall increased market reach. Moreover, SES has been collaborating with Amdocs and Microsoft to make it easier for telcos, ISPs, and MNOs to use our connectivity just as they would any other extension of their own network.

Satellite-cloud technologies enable flexible, agile, and more cost-effective modes of connection, both during the pandemic and into the future. Antonio stressed that leveraging cloud operations for a better end-user experience ultimately provided those working from home with better overall value and service. According to Antonio, the pandemic served to confirm the trend of cloud services electing to use satellite infrastructure to guarantee revenue growth and high-quality service for clients whilst reducing initial operational investiture.

Antonio and his fellow panelists essentially agreed that the exacting demands of working from home have demonstrated the strength and adaptability of satellite-cloud operations. This resilience is evident both in terms of how the industry has continued to successfully fulfill its mission to maintain service to clients, and in terms of how to achieve this, companies have maintained seamless operations involving remote-working employees.

Recent data outlines the dramatic growth of the SE (Subscription Economy). IDC predicts that in 2020, 50% of the world’s largest enterprises will see that the majority of their business depends on their ability to create digitally-enhanced products, services, and experiences. Similarly, Gartner predicts that 80% of software vendors will shift to subscription-based models by the end of this year.

The pandemic has made evident just how crucial (satellite) connection truly is to the functioning of a plethora of industries. As we adjust to the pandemic and ready ourselves for the post-pandemic digital landscape, Antonio has made evident just how indispensable satellite networks are to our connection and growth, as well as to the maintenance of industries’ ease of operation as employees continue to work from home.

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