Finding the right cloud solution for your business takes some effort, but it’s worth it. You can’t choose at random, or you’ll end up with something that’s a waste of your time and money because it doesn’t suit your organization. It takes knowing your personal requirements and creating a list of what you want and need from your provider. Here are four steps to help you find the right cloud:
1. Know your business and its requirements.
This may sound a little obvious, but it’s important to do some self reflection before moving to the cloud. Determine what your existing platforms are, as well as your data, traffic and budget. Additionally, consider the compliance requirements you face, and any potential future needs. By evaluating your business, you know exactly where your strengths and weaknesses are, and where the cloud can fit into it all.
2. Know why you’re moving to the cloud in the first place.
Again, a little obvious, but you don’t just want to get caught up in the hype. What are the business benefits you’ll gain from the move? Testing and development opportunities? The ability to react quickly to changes? Scalability? Increased flexibility? Cost efficiency? Security? Cloud solutions are all different, and address different needs. Do research to get familiar with the different cloud services, and figure out what you want. That way, you’ll know exactly what to ask for.
3. Make a checklist of what you’re looking for in a provider.
Not all providers are the same! Many specialize in different areas, and you want one that can meet ALL of your specific needs. This is a situation in which you can and should be picky! After all, it’s affecting your business. Make sure you’re getting everything you want out of a cloud solution. Some things to consider are:
- Availability
- Performance
- Security
- Business continuity
- Support
- Flexibility
- Cost efficiency
- Enterprise-grade infrastructure
Don’t worry if your list is getting too long – the perfect provider should be able to accommodate your wants and needs.
4. Ask the right questions when looking for a provider.
First, to make sure that you’re getting everything you want. Second, to make sure the provider is transparent and willing to answer your questions. It’s not nosy to ask for this information! Rather, it’s quite important. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
- What cloud services do you provide?
- How does pricing work?
- How secure are your services?
- What is your customer support like?
- Does your cloud scale?
- What is your downtime history?
- What is the set-up process like?
- How do I access my solution?
- What is the Service Level Agreement?
- Can you meet my compliance requirements?
Hopefully, the answers will help you determine if you’ve found the right match.
Following at least these four steps ensures that you’ve done your due diligence to make a smart cloud decision. Looking for a provider now? RapidScale can answer all of your questions about moving to the cloud, and works with each customer to ensure you’re getting the perfect cloud solution for your business.
