If your organization is considering a move to cloud computing, but you are worried about signing up for the proper services for your company, consider test driving the offerings before you make the switch. A well-researched and properly planned cloud deployment is the best strategy for companies seeking to take advantage of this new technology to take, but IT pros may be concerned about potential speed bumps and setbacks.
Why Move to the Cloud?
Why should your organization even consider moving to the cloud in the first place? Your legacy systems are functioning properly, right? First consider SalesForce’s 10 benefits of cloud computing:
- Increased Flexibility: The ever changing demands of the workload demand a flexible IT environment where bandwidth is forgiving of fluctuating data needs.
- Robust Disaster Recovery: Cloud-based backup systems can help organizations save on recovery costs; successful data recovery can often happen in a fraction of the time.
- Automatic Software Updates: Servers are not on premise, so IT managers no longer need to patch and download software updates manually.
- Ability to Collaborate across Geographic Barriers: Workplace barriers break down because the cloud allows for team members to collaborate on the same files in different locations, or even at different companies.
- Eliminate Cap-Ex Expenditures: Using cloud services removes the need to purchase expensive infrastructure and hardware to store on premise.
- Ability to Work from Anywhere: Employees can log onto company files and access the system from anywhere in the world; they don’t have to remain in the office.
- Streamlined Control of Documents: Instead of confusing attachments and multiple files, the cloud allows all collaborative parties to work from the same document, eliminating confusion and headaches.
- Higher Security Potential: Instead of losing all company information if your office is broken into or an employee loses a laptop, cloud vendors have their own set of security standards and protocols; they can often remotely remove data off of stolen work equipment.
- Competitive Pricing Models: The pay-as-you-go approach allows businesses to pay for only what they need; cloud vendors compete for lowest prices.
- Environmentally Sustainable: America’s data centers are getting much more efficient; they used the same amount of energy in the past five years, despite massive workload increase.
3 Tips for Test Driving Cloud Services
- Find Available Services
Many cloud vendors, such as VMware and Microsoft, offer free trials and test drive options for companies who are not sure which cloud services they’ll need to use. It can be helpful to speak with our team of experienced engineers to get a look into what’s offered and what could be right for your organization. - Begin to Test Drive Before You Need the Cloud
It’s not a good idea to begin to search and test drive cloud services at the time you need to make the transition. Instead, a deployment should be extended to include time to research, troubleshoot and explore all available cloud service options. - Test the Service’s Elasticity and Vulnerability
Elasticity is one of the major benefits cloud services can offer your benefit; it’s the ability for software to gain or lose resources based on the current needs of the workload. This can help your company adjust well to growth and avoid instances of unplanned downtime due to system crash or failure.
Vulnerability is another important aspect to analyze during a test drive; you’ll want to know if your organization will be vulnerable to a security breach should you choose to employ the cloud service. Run a test that identifies weak points of entry as well as areas where data is unencrypted and security could be compromised.
If you’ve identified a need for your organization to move to the cloud, we’d love to help out every step of the way. As a trusted technology advisor and partner, WEI can help you determine which cloud services and offerings are right for your company; contact us today.
