How to Maximize the Value of Your Cloud Services

By Dr. Sangeeta Chhabra

Cloud adoption has become the new norm in the modern corporate world. A majority of organizations are looking to migrate to the cloud for obvious perks like scalability, adaptability, data security, and low capital costs. However, challenges arise when an organization just jumps on the bandwagon without a proper strategy.

Moving to the cloud shouldn’t be a hasty decision. Before deciding to migrate to the cloud, you need to understand its challenges and risks.

Once you decide to opt for cloud services, you must evaluate the service providers thoroughly. A proactive approach by your IT team can ensure you maximize the output of your cloud services before and after you have started using it.   

Here are some aspects you can factor in to maximize the value of your cloud service.

1. Create a roadmap

Before migrating to the cloud, organizations must design a roadmap for it. They need to set clear objectives for migration (what they intend to achieve). Moving to the cloud may be a wise decision, but you must analyze the right time to do it. For instance, an organization has recently deployed IT equipment on its premises. In such cases, the organization can start small and host only a particular process to the cloud instead of migrating entirely.

Moreover, organizations should analyze the challenges they are currently facing and whether cloud service is the solution. Before migrating to the cloud, you must involve leaders from each department. Involving only the CTO will not give you a 360-degree view of the scenario.    

2. Check the pricing plans

Cloud computing is a pay-per-use platform. Cloud service providers offer multiple pricing plans depending on parameters such as type of hosting, server specification, storage, customer support, and backup requirements. Some providers also charge you depending on the number of active users.

Therefore, carefully review their pricing plans before opting for a cloud service provider. You need to choose the most cost-efficient one. Moreover, ask the provider if they customize the plan according to your requirements. Some providers also include hidden charges in their pricing plan. Ask the provider about hidden charges to avoid any surprises later. 

3. Choosing the best cloud features

Once you have decided to migrate to the cloud, choosing the best cloud provider is vital. You must choose the provider that caters to your specific requirements. However, some cloud features are non-negotiable. These are:

• Security: The cloud provider must deploy an advanced security infrastructure at all levels—physical, network, and endpoint. Some of the security safeguards you can look for are multifactor authentication, access controls, antivirus, antimalware, and intrusion detection and prevention, among others.
• Data center specifications: The data centers used by the cloud providers must be Tier 4+. The Tier 4+ data centers offer power and infrastructure redundancy, ensuring total data protection.
• 24/7 customer support: The cloud provider must offer round-the-clock customer support via multiple channels, like call, chat, or email.
• Business continuity: The cloud provider must implement a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) system, ensuring continuous operations, even in the case of a natural disaster.    

Choosing the right cloud provider means half the battle won.

4. Type of hosting services

The cloud hosting providers in the market offer various hosting services depending on the customer’s budget and requirements. These include:

• Public cloud: In a public cloud setup, the server resources are shared by multiple users simultaneously. These users can be anyone using your cloud provider’s service. The public cloud providers charge you according to your usage.
• Private cloud: Private cloud service, contrary to the public cloud, offers dedicated resources to users. Opting for a private cloud is like owning your server on the cloud. However, you must pay a definite amount for the private cloud service irrespective of usage. Private cloud services are more secure than public cloud services as a single entity owns them. However, it is more expensive.
• Hybrid cloud: A hybrid cloud setup is a combination of both private and public cloud. Hence, if an organization wants the best of both worlds (i.e., a cost-effective option with more security and performance), they opt for a hybrid cloud. For instance, an organization can use private cloud services for critical processes like accounting and public cloud for public company information.

Choosing the right hosting service depends on the industry and process in which you are involved. Consult your CTO before selecting the right service. Choosing the right hosting service ensures you get the best performance at the best price.

5. Choose industry-specific hosting

There are various cloud service providers available in the market today. However, only some providers would offer hosting specific to your industry. Let’s assume a CPA firm using QuickBooks plans to migrate their accounting process to the cloud; they would prefer an Intuit Authorized service provider.

The cloud provider that offers industry-specific hosting is well-equipped to handle any challenges that may arise in the future.

6. Read the SLA carefully

It is imperative to read the service level agreement (SLA) carefully before entering into a contract with the cloud service provider. An SLA contains intricate details about the partnership that must be interpreted correctly. The IT team must vet all the terms and conditions regarding availability, compensation, support, etc.  

Get the best out of your cloud services

Most organizations that migrate to the cloud reap a plethora of benefits. However, cloud migration also comes with its challenges if implemented without proper planning. Moreover, if the SLA is not vetted in detail, you could find yourself paying for more than you use.  

So, take your time before migrating to the cloud and finding the right cloud service provider. Your partnership with the cloud provider is for the long term. Ticking all the boxes during migration will ensure you utilize the full potential of cloud services.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Sangeeta Chhabra, co-founder and director of Ace Cloud Hosting, is a leader and innovative entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in the IT sector. She has positioned the company as a leading global provider of IT and managed cloud services, celebrated for its QuickBooks hosting tailored for the accounting sector, as well as its Managed Security Services and Public Cloud offerings for SMBs and enterprises. Under her leadership, Ace Cloud was honored as the Best Outsourced Technology Provider at the CPA Practice Advisor Readers’ Choice Awards 2023, among other accolades. Beyond her professional successes, Dr. Chhabra is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment at Ace Cloud.