While we acknowledge that many small- to medium-sized organizations find it relevant to have data storage on-site, we equally recognize that for many other firms, shifting data to the cloud is frequently the next natural step in computing. By reducing workload and capital equipment expenses, this move may result in cost savings. The rationale begins to make sense when you add unlimited scalability, the opportunity for your staff to access data from any location, at home, on the go, even while on vacation along with improved network security.
However, taking the step isn’t always the simplest thing in the world. We think you should at least investigate cloud migration because it offers numerous advantages for businesses, but planning is necessary to ensure a seamless deployment. Here are our suggestions for achieving this:
Cloud Infrastructure
In broad terms, there are three types of cloud infrastructure that can be examined.
Public: These include well-known businesses like Google Cloud Compute, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure. All three are quite scalable, but they also give their clients less control—you have to go by their guidelines. This could be a problem if you have to cope with stringent government restrictions.
Private: Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Compute are among them. All three offer incredible scalability, but they also provide their clients less control…you must follow their rules. This could be troublesome if you have to cope with stringent government rules.
Hybrid: Hybrid systems, in which certain data and functions live in the cloud and some in your own facility, are also popular. A certified managed IT support firm can assist you in making this decision.
Data Backup & Disaster Recovery
Nothing is more important in the IT sector than proper, professional data backup and recovery planning. Things happen. Brilliant cyber criminals are working around the clock to figure out ways to steal, damage, and/or lockout your computer files. The equipment fails. Fires occur. Floods occur. Tornadoes and hurricanes do occur. Employee theft and destruction are common occurrences. When these things happen, your customers may be empathetic to your troubles, but they completely and correctly want you to be back up and running as quickly as possible. Your service providers’ service level agreements (SLAs) must be reviewed and understood. Set adequate recovery point objectives (RPOs) and recovery time objectives (RTOs) with your managed IT support provider or in-house IT team, and explain how they will be reached.
Data Governance & Security
Cloud migration is an upheaval process. Please don’t believe you can completely eliminate the disruption. You simply cannot. But you’ll be OK. You’ll also have to realize that giving up some control over your data isn’t always a negative thing. If you work for a major corporation with a large in-house IT staff, you most likely have a lot of people on whom you can rely for network security. A small to medium-sized business, even with a modest in-house IT team, cannot afford the degree of assistance and security that the right IT support provider, combined with the appropriate level of cloud storage and data backup, can deliver. If you thoroughly investigate and select the right partners, you will quickly feel at ease with the services they provide.
Cost
Many businesses put off investigating cloud options or managed IT services because they feel they would increase their costs. At Cogni Consulting, we frequently discover that our clients’ prices are lower than what they were previously paying, plus they receive all the advantages mentioned above in addition to having a large operational weight eliminated.
