Moving to the cloud: 5 factors to consider
Making the move to cloud technology is incredibly tempting for any company that hasn’t already done so. No longer the intimidating and bewildering solution it once was, now the benefits of the cloud are there for all to see.
Reduced expenses, improved security , improved flexibility, increased IT solutions – the list goes on and on. However, before you start migrating your current IT system to the cloud, there are several things you need to consider. Here are five of the most important:
Contents
1. Your business goals
2. Audit your current IT resources
3. Your budget
4. A helping hand
5. Inform your employees
1. Your business goals
What do you hope to achieve by moving your business to the cloud? Maybe you want to use it to store your data? Perhaps the plan is to move to a virtual desktop infrastructure? Maybe you want to incorporate a disaster recovery system?
This is ultimately business by business. Some may have a singular focus on a cloud-based goal, while others might be hoping for an all-encompassing IT infrastructure.
Once you’ve established your fixed goals, you’ll be in a position to better understand your cloud requirements.
2. Audit your current IT resources
Before you go all-in on your move to the cloud, it’s important to do an audit of your current IT resources . In this way, you can know what currently works, areas where improvements can be made, and elements that need to be replaced by cloud services.
Just remember that there are many advantages to using a cloud infrastructure compared to a traditional one. A standard IT infrastructure provides full control, yes, but it’s also expensive and requires expertise. With cloud computing, you get all the resources you need and only pay for what is used.
3. Your budget
It’s true: using cloud services can save you a lot of money on your IT expenses. However, you may also experience something called bill shock. That’s because it’s easy to overspend on extra services and more storage.
You need to stay vigilant with your cloud-related expenses; otherwise, you may feel it’s more cost-effective to go back to your old IT infrastructure (note: it’s not).
4. A helping hand
Going to the cloud is not easy. It is a complicated process that incorporates all of the above and much more. Without the right strategy, it can also be a time-consuming and expensive undertaking, especially if it creates downtime for your business.
That is why it is recommended to get assistance from a cloud migration expert. With a company like bridgehampton.io on your side, for example, they’ll be able to craft a migration approach that best suits your business and goals. There will be no stress on your part, and you can rest assured that everything will go smoothly.
5. Inform your employees
It may seem like an obvious point, but it’s not uncommon for a company to shift its operations to the cloud and leave its employees in the dark. As a result, it’s important that you inform your employees about the change, as well as educate them on how processes will change once they’re in the cloud.
