Cloud computing is heavily used in the business world. A survey back in 2014 showed that about 70% of enterprise-level companies are using some type of IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS cloud platform solution to improve their mobility, collaborative capacities, and overall flexibility. Now small business owners are starting to ask us if the cloud is right for them.
Here are four suggestions:
1. Assess Your IT Infrastructure
Start by doing a cost-benefit analysis. A cloud computing solution may state that they only need an Internet connection to transform your organization. However, do you currently have the bandwidth to implement a solution properly?
Talk to your cloud representative about your organization’s IT infrastructure. If you don’t have the right connectivity, a cloud solution might require additions to work properly.
2. Don’t Jump Right In
Cloud computing gives your organization all the dynamic capabilities of a full-scale IT infrastructure with very little overhead cost. You may be tempted to immediately commit to an overhaul of the computing infrastructure. However, if you have years of information to virtualize, this can be difficult. Instead, consider implementing just one function to the cloud, like email or backup. Implementing one solution at a time gives you a better feel for how the cloud works for your organization.
3. Security is Always Important
Many organizations delay implementing a cloud solution because they think cloud platforms aren’t as secure as the traditional IT delivery methods. How can computing systems which are managed by a third party be as secure? However, the cloud does have scalable and very secure computing platforms. Many cloud platforms are safer than your in-office IT systems. Talk to your cloud provider about it.
4. Who Maintains the IT?
One of the advantages of moving your computing resources to the cloud is that maintenance is no longer your responsibility. Almost. Yes, many issues have been taken off your plate, but IT problems are not entirely eliminated. Before you switch to the cloud, assess what IT needs you will still have and plan how you are going to take care of them. If something happens and your cloud provider doesn’t have great customer service, you may have major problems. Processor magazine recommends:
Beyond considering technical requirements, consider longer-term management and maintenance issues, including who in the organization will own the cloud service relationship and what will happen during emergencies.
Cloud computing will continue to see exponential growth. If your business is considering a comprehensive cloud solution, consider these four suggestions before committing full-scale. For questions about IT and how to use new technology to improve business operations, call Quikteks today at (973) 882-4644. We can help.