Cloud computing provides countless benefits to businesses, such as economy, efficiency, and scalability, which allow them to ensure efficient business operations. Regardless of your company’s type or size, cloud computing services are available for all businesses that want to be more competitive and streamline their processes.
Suppose you’re planning to move your business to the cloud. In that case, it’s crucial to get help from professionals or a managed information technology (IT) services company, like https://www.isidoregroup.com/, to determine whether or not you’re ready to adopt cloud solutions.
Since adopting the cloud isn’t a simple process, you should prioritize proper planning and avoid rushing it. If possible, keep the following considerations before moving to the cloud:
1. Existing IT Resources
Perform an inventory of your company’s IT resources. Then, conduct an audit to know what currently works for your business, what should be improved, and what can be replaced by cloud solutions.
While your traditional IT infrastructure enables you to control your business data and apps, it requires effective in-house management by trained professionals. In addition, operating a traditional IT infrastructure can be pricey since you need to shoulder the costs of maintaining, buying, supporting, and upgrading your on-site hardware. However, for cloud-based storage, you’ll only rely on managed data centers to provide you with the required resources for fixed monthly fees.
2. Model Of Cloud Computing
Before migrating to the cloud, you also need to consider the model of computing that suits your business. The common models of cloud computing are as follows:
- Public Model – It shares resources across the business departments, making it the most affordable. It also reduces the expenses to a particular extent. However, a public model can be more vulnerable to cyber threats.
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Private Model – It’s more secure, and the infrastructure resources are typically restricted to one company only.
Depending on your needs or goals, ensure you know the different cloud computing models and services. This way, you’ll be able to get the most out of your investment.
3. Cloud Service Provider
Once you decide to move your business to the cloud, you’ll put your entire company in the hands of your preferred cloud service provider. While the price is a crucial consideration, you should also pay importance to the provider's reputation, age, and size.
Even if a new provider may offer you a great deal, it’s not a good time to take a risk just to enjoy savings. You might also want to check the cloud solutions they offer to ensure the security and safety of your data.
4. Business Goals
Before you opt for cloud migration, you must understand your goals. For example, you may need the cloud to improve your company’s operational resilience and security.
Never think of cloud migration as another experiment for your business, and take it seriously to enjoy its benefits. Besides, the advantages outweigh the risks of cloud migration. A successful cloud migration provides better agility, improved scalability, higher security, and increased efficiency. So, anticipate your needs first before you embrace cloud adoption.
5. Service Level Agreement (SLA)
As a business owner, you should avoid getting tied into a service that doesn’t benefit you. For this reason, check your provider’s terms and conditions thoroughly. Although most providers offer compensation, it’s useless if your business experiences downtime and causes disruption to your operations.
The best cloud service provider will allow you to terminate your preferred services if the SLA is breached. So, carefully read the SLA of every provider before you subscribe to any cloud service.
6. Budget
Although cloud services aren’t expensive, it’s easy to overspend on additional services and increased storage. If you’re not being careful with your spending, your business may suffer over time, making you leave the cloud and stick with the traditional IT infrastructures. Therefore, knowing your budget is vital before moving to the cloud.
7. Security
Another essential consideration that you should prioritize before moving your business to the cloud is security. Verify if your preferred cloud service provider has sufficient security measures in place. Other than that, in case of data security or regulation constraints, your provider must offer immediate support and assistance.
8. Disaster Recovery Solutions
A disaster recovery solution is another thing to consider before migrating to the cloud. During the cloud migration process, anything may happen, and your data can be at risk, causing disruptions to your daily operations. Due to this, you need a backup strategy in case you face a disaster or experience downtime. To ensure business continuity, your employees and clients should still have access to your company data.
Conclusion
You should remember that cloud migration is never easy, regardless of your resources. In fact, migration without proper planning and preparation may result in a disaster. However, by taking note of the above considerations, you can be sure that you’ll stay on the right track and enjoy a seamless migration experience.
Walter Guevara is a software engineer, startup founder and currently teaches programming for a coding bootcamp. He is currently building things that don't yet exist.
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