The journey to the cloud is a process which requires careful consideration and analysis in order to make the transition as efficient as possible. Without substantial preparation, a cloud migration is almost certain to fail – draining time, money and resources.
Before enterprises even begin to determine how they will go about the adoption and implementation of a cloud computing strategy, they need to conclude what their aims and objectives are for actually transitioning to the cloud. Once these are established and agreed as an overall business decision, it is then important to analyse each step to the cloud.
1) IMPLEMENTATION
During this stage, businesses should highlight why they are considering cloud computing and how they intend to use it. They should consider the capabilities their enterprise can offer, i.e. the office internet. Enterprises need to be sure that their local internet is able to support the increased bandwidth that comes along with running applications in the cloud to a productive standard in terms of speed and minimal interruptions. When analysing this, it’s important that businesses consider the issues that would arise if internet connectivity was to fail and to then structure a plan to handle this.
Another essential part of the implementation stage is to determine the length of an agreement to influence the success of moving to the cloud. Cloud computing is the most scalable IT model out there that allows businesses to sculpt their technology around their needs in terms of both staff and budget. This will give businesses an indication of the level of scalability they will experience during this time period.
However, enterprises need to consider the most suitable time period for their cloud delivery – going from a traditional IT set-up to a 10-year contract with a cloud service provider may not be the most suitable approach to adoption. Businesses should agree on a suitable timescale which allows them to truly see the benefits of the cloud without being overwhelmed.
Internal communication is essential in successfully transitioning to the cloud as it allows employees to understand what changes are being made, why they are important and how to integrate the new system into the way they work.
2) MIGRATION
With a strategic implementation plan devised – it’s then time to move to the cloud. Cloud migration involves moving data, applications or other business files from on-site storage devices to cloud servers.
There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when planning for a smooth cloud migration, which includes:
Application Management
The cloud service provider has the responsibility of taking care of service-level agreements, customer billings, and application monitoring and managing costs.
Application Compatibility
Applications being taken into the cloud need to be modified slightly to be suitable for cloud hosting.
Database Compatibility
Enterprises need to ensure that their database requirements conform to the cloud service providers offerings.
Data Security
When businesses are deciding which cloud service provider they should opt for, they should consider the security measures they have in place in terms of accessing data from the cloud. These include configuring the Security Token Options and defining access options.
At this point in the cloud journey, enterprises should feel reassured by the analysing that has been put in place and have enough confidence to go forward.
3) CHOOSING YOUR PROVIDER
The final step of a successful adoption of cloud computing is actually choosing your cloud service provider. There are many options out there in terms of cloud delivery and cloud models, which is why it can be hard to make a vital decision. Each cloud is developed and maintained by its own provider who establishes what their cloud offers.
At Atlas Cloud, we specialise in high-intensity graphics that are accessible on any device even with low bandwidth connectivity, we can offer tailored packages that are tailored to the needs of your business and employees.
The considerations you need to assess when deciding on a cloud service provider include:
Flexibility
A major reason why businesses make the transition to the cloud is due to the demands of their employees. The desire for flexible working hours can be fulfilled by opting for a cloud computing method to working.
It’s essential to question “can the cloud provider supply seamless mobile working to optimise productivity and make the most of adoption?”
Security
When an enterprise moves to the cloud they are trusting a third-party provider with crucial data, do they have registered security standards? At Atlas we were the first UK managed services company to become ISO 27001:2013 certified.
Experience
It is essential that your cloud service provider has enough experience to perform efficiently with zero errors. Atlas Cloud has a proven track record in managing enterprise data centres.
Technical expertise
Be sure your provider offers the levels of customer service you are accustomed to. Atlas Cloud was awarded the ‘Services Award’ at this year’s regional North East Business Awards for our tech team who combine reliable professional support with friendly, approachable customer service.
If you would like more information on how to adopt cloud computing and transform the current way you are working, do not hesitate to contact us.
