Cloud Computing is changing the way businesses work in the modern times. While we have all experienced and seen how cloud computing lowers down the cost of Information Technology infrastructure, its becoming increasingly prevalent for the Small and Medium Enterprise businesses. What many a small business are confused about is choosing the right vendor for leveraging the power of cloud computing. There are many technology players like Microsoft, IBM which are in the cloud computing space and are investing heavily in innovation and R&D, but for small and emerging players its another story. Choosing the right vendor is a critical decision.
What is cloud computing: a flashback!
Cloud computing promises that it can help businesses quickly increase their information technology capability and capacity, without being bogged down by the weight of buying new infrastructure or licensing software. The emerging technology has dramatically improved upon how emerging businesses are using IT increasingly.
Before we go ahead and help you find the best suited vendor, the basic step that needs to be in place is, understanding the suitability of cloud computing for your business. For many small and mid-sized businesses, managing information technology and networks can distract from other more fundamental aspects of the business.
Cloud computing providers other than offering emerging businesses lower prices for access to emerging sophisticated technology because the same resources are shared with other users, thereby reducing the overhead costs to the vendor of licensing software or buying servers.
What are the different types of Cloud Computing offerings?
What is cloud computing: a flashback!
Cloud computing promises that it can help businesses quickly increase their information technology capability and capacity, without being bogged down by the weight of buying new infrastructure or licensing software. The emerging technology has dramatically improved upon how emerging businesses are using IT increasingly.
Before we go ahead and help you find the best suited vendor, the basic step that needs to be in place is, understanding the suitability of cloud computing for your business. For many small and mid-sized businesses, managing information technology and networks can distract from other more fundamental aspects of the business.
Cloud computing providers other than offering emerging businesses lower prices for access to emerging sophisticated technology because the same resources are shared with other users, thereby reducing the overhead costs to the vendor of licensing software or buying servers.
What are the different types of Cloud Computing offerings?
- Software as a Service
- Infrastructure as a Service
- Platform as a Service
Once you determine which type of service suits your business requirements and needs (while keeping in mind the scalability), you must now essentially determine how much computing power does your business need. For determining this, you may hire external consultants or networking technology freelancers who are experienced with the technology.
Source: http://bluemilecloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/cloudstration.jpg
Great, but how should I land onto a good vendor now?
Before you go ahead and sign up a cloud computing vendor, you must keep in mind the following basic principles:
- Provider
Is the service provider a trusted source. Is the company reputable in the market. What sort of implementations has the company done before which are relevant to your business needs. This analysis will help you analyze if the service the cloud partner is providing suits your business needs.
- Product
How stable is the product ans is it easy to use? Does the product make your systems dependent on its use or can it be replaced in future. Can the produt help you better meet your business goals. Eg: if you are looking to reduce down time to fetch information OR make information access online 24/7, can the product help you do it both while you are a 5 member company and when you will be a 500 member organization.
- Technology transition
You need to understand what does it take for you to make the transition from the current technology you are using to where you would like to be in future, while keeping your business interests in mind.
- Security
Cloud services mean your data is being saved on virtual servers on the cloud which are shared. Security is a major concern, which is being taken care of by service providers. As a business you need to understand this criticality and ensure, the service provider you are assigning your contract to is highly reliable and secure. Eg: you must know how data backup is done and what happens in case of an emergency.
- Up Time
The cloud services must be up and running when you needs them the most and hence you must know the up time and the down time of your service provider. This you must verify and check from the various clients your service provider boasts of.
- Performance and Metrics
You must get these questions answered for yourself. How does your service provider define performance? What metrics do they use? How does their definition of performance satisfy OR fall in line with your business objectives.
- Customer Service
In case of cloud computing you are buying not just a product but essentially a productized service. Your service provider must be able to serve you well and provide complete technology support. One of the critical things here is does your vendor reveal which servers they are using and where are they installed. Answering this question instills the confidence and transparency in the vendor.
Team IndiaMART Knowledge Services is always committed to be a support for SMEs in their growth. We advice that before you sign up your cloud computing vendor, you must sign up with defined SLA's (Service Level Agreements) which define in a detailed manner everything which you as a business expect from the product and the service provider as well as how your service provider will provide the service. Also detail your expectations from the service and keep a window of change and evolution open for both parties as the technology evolves, you will have to adopt to change.
For more, drop in a comment and our team of experts will be happy to extend all possible help and support!
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