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Implementing cloud computing saves businesses from heavily investing in building and maintaining computer servers. Furthermore, it also reduces the need to buy or build alternate means of information storage. Cloud services also enable you to communicate and access your information from any physical location, regardless of where your office may be. Shifting to the cloud can thus help increase your company’s profitability while decreasing costs.
Business owners cannot harness these benefits by blindly making the shift to the cloud, as a mistake might prove to be very costly for your company. Here are five tips for moving your business to the cloud successfully.
1. Assess what you want to accomplish from moving to the cloud
There are numerous variations of cloud services. Review and research the pros and cons for each one once you shortlist the models that you feel fit your business needs. Cloud features vary from the ability to work offline, to the number and type of software and apps, to different ways in which you can access your company’s data.
2. Take your existing IT system into account
Before migrating to the cloud, take stock of your existing IT capabilities. Evaluate your processes and survey your requirements. This also means checking the needs of your business operations and the needs and capabilities of your staff. What is the arrangement you have with your employees? Do you need them to access information irrespective of their location??
In addition, if yours is a business actively engaged in client deliverables, etc., you may need to ensure that your system’s move to the cloud does not disrupt daily operations.
3. Choose a reliable vendor
If your business is just starting out, you need to be careful you do not end up spending money needlessly. Conduct research thoroughly before proceeding with contracting a cloud services provider. Check reviews if they are available, and ask for referrals from fellow business owners that are in a similar situation. If you have access to expertise from engineers and other IT professionals, ask them for their opinions.
When deciding upon the vendor, check whether or not they also provide other services such as tech support and troubleshooting.
4. Check security features
Information that resides on the cloud can be accessed remotely from anyplace. This also means it is more vulnerable to disclosure. When you review vendors, also review safety measures. You need active and robust security features in place, including access control, authorized access, spam filters, antivirus programs, and surveillance.
Security at the vendor site may also need review. Do they have restricted access to their servers? How do they secure their own facility? Do they conduct regular audits and testing, etc.? All of this will have a direct impact on the services you are provided.
5. Check the legalese
As with any other contract, there is bound to be some fine print. Make sure you read through and check for any hidden costs. You may need to review details, such as Service Level Agreements (SLA). If needed, bring in an expert who can help you. The chances of an outage always exists with any technical service. However, with a Service Level Agreement, you know exactly what to expect.
The experts at Analytix Solutions have helped many small to midsized businesses migrate successfully to the cloud, enhancing their security and operations in the process, while adhering to budget. For more information on our services, please visit us at www.analytixaccounting.com or email us at sales@analytix.com.
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