5 Tips for First-Time Cloud Services Adopters
by Alvaro Vasquez // TeleSwitch
Businesses are in an ongoing digital transformation process, and Cloud adoption is now at the center of this trend. Organizations realize the many advantages of using cloud services, but numerous still have questions and concerns.
There are best practices and considerations to follow in your digital transformation and cloud adoption journey. Understanding these solutions and their options will help you make the best decision for your team and business.
The Basics
What we know as the cloud can be described as a virtual hub where you can host and store applications, files, data, and more, offering consistent accessibility from anywhere. Users simply need a connection to the internet and credentials to access these services.
The cloud is a set of off-site servers in one or multiple data centers. These are the three types of clouds: public, private, and hybrid.
Public cloud:
Built with lots of storage, cost-effective and scalable. You may access many services and applications through a wide array of providers. The provider manages updates and maintenance of the infrastructure and takes care of all security measures.Private cloud:
A similar approach to the public cloud, although you don’t share the cloud space. You own it and have more control, but you’ll pay a higher price. Your organization is in charge of maintaining and updating the infrastructure and keeping it secure.Hybrid cloud:
A hybrid cloud mixes the two previous types, allowing you to decide what goes where.
Advantages of Cloud Computing
The main benefit of the cloud is flexibility. You can experience a more secure and redundant architecture and reduce technology costs.
Forbes reported that 74 percent of technical CFOs convey that the cloud has a measurable impact on their business operations.
IDG reports that 57 percent of companies using cloud solutions report that it is improving customer support and business continuity.
Salesforce states that 94 percent of new cloud users experience security and compliance improvements.
Tips for First-Time Cloud Migrations
Within any large-scale technology project, there are many moving pieces to consider. Here are some tips from our cloud experts.
1.- Build a List of Goals for your Cloud Migration Project
An excellent first step is to create a list of goals to make sure that they are aligned with your business objectives. This list will become your guide during the process, so there is no deviation. Cloud services may be charged with enhanced features that you may want to implement after the migration is completed, which can be distracting during the migration project. Possible goals could include:
Enabling easier remote work
Reducing costs
Improving security
Growing your business
Enhance scalability process
Be sure the goals represent all involved parties, and everyone is on the same page.
2.- Assess Your Current Infrastructure
Evaluate your current status and document how users interact with their applications. Some may already use cloud services, such as SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms.
Documenting current use cases will allow you to learn how employees use their applications and identify the challenges in their current practices.
3.- Define the Type of Cloud you need and the services living there
Determine what type of clouds you’ll use for your organization. After defining your architecture, you’ll need to review which solutions will migrate there.
Think about the applications or data your team most uses and needs access to, whether in the office or working remotely. Consulting with department managers can help you make decisions.
One of the most common Cloud projects is migrating phone systems to Cloud Unified Communications solutions or UCaaS. A Cloud UC solution offers communication tools (phone, video conferencing, instant messaging, etc.) that all users may want to access from anywhere. It also provides secure document collaboration and sharing so teams can be productive as they work in various locations.
4.- Choose Your Model
There are different cloud service models, but the main three are:
SaaS (Solutions as a Service): Vendor auto-updates software with little visibility for end users.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Provides complete control over the application configuration, requiring a tailored infrastructure.
PaaS (Platform as a Service): This requires coding work with all application facets on the web.
Most SMBs use a SaaS model since they don’t have an in-house IT staff to implement or support the other models.
5.- Develop a Migration Plan
Planning your migration should be something you document. Your migration plan may include different cloud projects that may end up with fully integrated solutions. You want this to be seamless and not cause any services downtime. You’ll want to collaborate with your consultants and services providers to ensure this occurs as efficiently and securely. In this plan, you should detail your deployment, review any areas of risk, and craft communications to your end-users.
Blog Post:
Controlling the UCaaS Spend Explosion
Ready to Learn More About the Cloud for UC?
TeleSwitch is here to help you migrate and implement your cloud UC solution. TeleSwitch partners with all leading UCaaS providers and will help you develop your migration plan, including identifying your main goals. We will also assist in discovering the provider that best fits your business objectives. You’ll experience near-perfect uptime, access from wherever, and robust security.
Connect with our consultants today!
TeleSwitch partners with all leading UCaaS providers in the market today.
Our recommendation is always focused on what is best for our customers.
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