According to Gartner, by 2020 more computing power will be sold through the cloud than in on-site data centers.
The cloud is complex. There are over 25 million cloud configurations to choose from. Configurations that are always changing. There are likely new, improved ways you could manifest cloud services to your company’s advantage; you just don’t know what they are. And unless your IT person is an expert in the cloud, they probably don’t know what those are either.
The cloud is a new paradigm. It’s a way you can optimize your performance in a dynamic way. We’re not just talking about fancy new technology. We’re talking about the opportunity to change your business and change the market you’re in.
Here are 4 essential things to ease your shift into the cloud:
- Make sure you have the knowledge you need
There is an underlying knowledge base required of your IT partner that is different when you move to the cloud. They need to know how to design, architect, and manage a new environment that runs differently from a traditional on-premises infrastructure. If you don’t have the expertise, maximizing cloud services will be impossible.
- Take the cloud for a spin first
If you’re looking at the cloud, the almost endless cloud options available can feel overwhelming – almost paralyzing. On top of that, many people don’t even really grasp what the cloud actually is. A Customer Immersion Experience can help you get physically inside the cloud to understand how it can truly work your company, and define what specific cloud elements you need.
- Make sure you have the right infrastructure in place
An in-depth review of your infrastructure makes a huge difference for companies wanting an optimized cloud solution. Running a detailed performance analysis on computer, storage, and network resources that includes metrics such as observed peak CPU utilization, storage capacity, and IOPS is essential. The analysis allows you to then map to the right solutions in the cloud and size things correctly for the best performance and cost.
- Have your transition managed by a managed IT provider
This is where we go back to the paradigm shift. Cloud principles and architecture are unique compared to traditional on-premises practices. Traditional approaches often do not translate to cloud operating models. Internal IT resources may not necessarily have the understanding of the shifts and trends of today’s technology landscape. Businesses can (and do) suffer downtime by moving to the cloud without someone experienced in cloud designing and managing their transition.
The new paradigm of the cloud means you can’t rely on what’s worked in the past. Going forward into the cloud is navigating a foreign terrain that is easy to use, but can be complex to set up in way that maximizes the benefits for your company. Make sure you’re working with someone who understands how to navigate the change and can guide you in taking the right steps.
Nortec Communications is a leading managed service provider, specializing in cloud migrations and management, systems integration and infrastructure management. Find out how Nortec can revolutionize your IT experience. Contact us online or us at 866-531-1990.