--- title: Microsoft cloud in the retail industry - Auxilion description: The emergence of cloud computing both public and private has enabled businesses to be far more dynamic and flexible in the way they deliver ICT services. image: https://www.auxilion.com/hubfs/remote_access_thumb_550x550.jpg --- [![Auxilion Logo](https://www.auxilion.com/hubfs/Auxilion_Theme/logo-dark.svg "Auxilion Logo")](https://auxilion-5095261.hs-sites.com/) [![logo-dark](https://www.auxilion.com/hubfs/Auxilion_Theme/logo-dark.svg "logo-dark")](https://auxilion-5095261.hs-sites.com/) [Let's talk ](https://www.auxilion.com/) CLOSE MENU MENU MENU [back to all ](https://www.auxilion.com/insights) [scroll up ](https://www.auxilion.com/) share ![Microsoft Cloud for Retail ](https://www.auxilion.com/hubfs/remote_access_thumb_550x550.jpg "Microsoft Cloud for Retail ") [Blog](https://www.auxilion.com/insights/tag/blog) # Microsoft cloud in the retail industry 04 February 2017 We are in the midst of a ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, the emergence of [cloud computing](https://www.auxilion.com/business-and-technology-solutions/cloud-technology) both public and private has enabled businesses to be far more dynamic and flexible in the way they deliver [ICT services](https://www.auxilion.com/it-services-and-support/managed-ict-services). The ability to create platforms and infrastructure on-demand that scale to deliver the performance required in a pay as you go (burn) model have seen the procurement of these services move away from CapEx to an OpEx model. This change is also manifesting in other areas such as software, backup & DR as well as firewalls and other appliances all being delivered as a service, soon even Windows 10 will be available ‘as-a-service’. Is this a good or bad thing? To quote Paul Getty, who was once recorded as being the world’s wealthiest private citizen, “if it appreciates, buy it, if it depreciates, lease it”, as we all know technology is out of date before we’ve even purchased it, so in this industry that quote is very relevant. My personal opinion is that this is a good thing, no more suffering the depreciation of expensive hardware assets or funding of expensive solutions. Cash-flow is improved as smaller monthly payments are made rather than large lump sums every three or however many years. Featured blog ![azure_site_recovery_thumb_550x550](https://www.auxilion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/azure_site_recovery_thumb_550x550.jpg?width=531&height=577&name=azure_site_recovery_thumb_550x550.jpg) ### Nought to €6964 in 744 hours The adoption of public cloud computing has now become common place amongst digitally focused organisations both large and small. The ability to pay only for what you consume on a per minute basis means a welcome shift, for most people, away from the traditional CAPEX model to an OPEX monthly billing plan. 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