Taking your business to the cloud is a big decision. It's a major shift in how you operate and store data. But it can also be a very rewarding move for your company, providing greater flexibility, productivity, and security.
Before making the switch, here are six things to consider that will help you choose the right cloud solution for your business.
1. Security
Security is the number one priority for any business thinking of moving to the cloud. After all, you're trusting a third-party provider to keep your data safe and secure. You must ensure you work with a verified cloud service provider.
Understand the mechanism your provider will use to preserve your data. Ask specific questions related to your business needs, industry, and required regulations.
When evaluating security features, look for a provider that offers data encryption, role-based access control, and activity monitoring. You'll also want to ensure that they have a robust disaster recovery plan in case of any security lapse incident.
2. Data Location
Be sure to ask your provider where your data will be physically located. Depending on your business and industry, you may have regulations that dictate where your data can reside. For example, if you're in the healthcare industry, there are strict regulations surrounding patient data (HIPAA). Make sure your provider can meet any compliance requirements.
Choose a cloud station that will allow you to move data freely and easily between different geographies. This will come in handy if you have customers or employees in different parts of the world. It will also be helpful if you ever need to comply with data regulations in multiple jurisdictions.
3. Compliance
Your provider should help you understand and meet compliance standards within your industry. In some cases, this might mean that your data is stored in a specific country or region. In other cases, it might mean that your provider needs to meet certain security standards.
Understand what you're responsible for and what the provider is responsible for when it comes to compliance. Have a plan in place for how you will meet compliance standards.
4. Reliability
How reliable is your cloud service provider regarding uptime and availability? Look for a provider that offers a 99.9% or higher uptime guarantee. This means that your data should be available almost all of the time.
Don't forget to check other finer details such as power outage frequency and margin of error. Remember, you also want to grow your customers by increasing inbound call center performance. You won’t be able to do this if your cloud solution is not reliable.
5. Service Level Agreement (SLA)
When considering a cloud service provider, read the fine print in their service level agreement (SLA). This document outlines the terms of your relationship with the provider and sets expectations for uptime, support, and more.
Check the terms and conditions for material breaches, consequences, and remedies. In the event of an issue, you'll want to know what kind of customer support they offer and how responsive they are.
6. Cost
Cloud service providers charge differently depending on the type of service, how you use it, and how much you use it.
Consider the long-term cost of a cloud service provider rather than just the upfront price. Auto-scaling and pay-as-you-go billing can help save money in the long run. However, you still have to consider your business model, budget, and timeline when choosing the pricing structure.
Also, check if there are any data migration fees, egress fees, or other added costs.
Final Thought
You need to choose a cloud solution that aligns with your business needs. There is no single “right” answer, but there are wrong answers.
Do your homework and carefully consider all the factors before making a decision. You can also consult an expert to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
