The Cloud has become a true miracle in the world of Internet Technology, allowing users the ability to store large amounts of data off-site. Plus, many businesses continue to be saved by the Cloud when disruptions strike. With easy accessibility on any mobile device, the Cloud has simply become a must for companies around the world.
If you’re realizing you need the Cloud for scalability and business continuity preparation you will need to shop wisely. Not all Cloud services are alike, and it’s easy to make mistakes if you don’t choose carefully,
Many providers give you features you may not even need, which only wastes resources. Or you may not get enough features you absolutely need to keep your business running efficiently.
The more knowledge you have about how the Cloud works and what the potential pitfalls are, the more you can make an educated decision.
Here’s the top five mistakes to avoid when moving to the Cloud:
#1: Not Knowing Your Cloud Deployment Options
Perhaps you’re not aware the Cloud comes in three different forms that matter depending on your business structure. You have four basic deployment options, with the first being the public Cloud where the provider gives you applications and storage options available to everyone.
The second is private Cloud, which gives you exclusive use just for your business. This can come in a third variation, otherwise known as virtual private Cloud. Through this option, you’ll have a multi-tenant Cloud-hosting platform with separate resources for data security.
Then you have hybrid Cloud options integrating on-premise and outside Cloud services.
It’s important to talk with a knowledgeable IT expert to avoid making changes that might make your operations more complicated.
#2: Not Understanding Your Cloud Services
Once you’ve figured out what your Cloud deployment options are, you’ll need to know what Cloud services you really need. Many services provide numerous variations like Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, or Infrastructure as a Service.
For SaaS, you’ll place all your software in the Cloud for easy retrieval wherever you go. PaaS allows you to have application interface, database development, and storage all in one. IaaS lets you move your entire server into the Cloud where you have immediate accessibility to all your hardware.
#3: Not Asking Questions About Your Service Level
Your Service Level Agreement (or the SLA) is basically your contract showing exactly what you’re getting with your Cloud services. You need to read this before committing to a plan. It tells you about the platform’s system performance and what your uptime percentage will be.
An SLA at 99 percent means you could have up to 44 minutes of downtime every month. This might not seem like a lot. Yet, when it occurs during a high-volume sales day, it could prove devastating in customer service and profits.
#4: Not Finding Out What Security You Have
The Cloud is only as good as what kind of monitoring it has. Make sure to find out what security tools your provider uses and how long monitoring occurs. The best ones monitor 24/7 since anything could happen during off-hours. Private Clouds are far more assured of keeping your data safe than a public Cloud system.
#5: Not Asking if the Cloud Provider Can Scale With Your Growth
It’s possible you’re still in the early stages of your business, though expect to grow in another year or two. Not asking your Cloud provider if they can scale with your growth goals could create considerable downtime later when you get a sudden influx of business.
Be sure to communicate your growth goals to your provider and see if they can accommodate this when you expect to scale. The trouble is, growth can happen unexpectedly, so having a solid Cloud provider already in place is vital to keep your business running smoothly.
Contact us at CompuData to learn more about our Cloud services and solutions.