Doing business using the cloud is now commonplace, but every business is different and needs to fit its IT infrastructure to its operational requirements. This is possible, but trying to fit a one-size-fits-all solution into a complicated operational structure will cause more harm than good. In this month’s newsletter, we wanted to give five general tips to consider when you want to deploy the cloud in your business.
Choose a Provider
The first thing you will need to do is choose a provider to use. If you have a lot of computing you need to host, you’re better off choosing a major provider such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. This is because these services are reliable and run by some of the largest companies in the world. The IT consultants at Coleman Technologies can help you iron out your cloud strategy to keep your costs down and provide you with the ultimate flexibility for your money.
Control Your Costs
All major cloud providers offer some type of cost control services to help businesses get the most out of their cloud investments. Using these services can help you avoid resource waste and significantly cut your costs should you rely on cloud services. Other than that, you can use third-party apps to control expenses or simply ensure you aren’t paying for unused SaaS applications.
Manage Storage
Storing data costs money, too. You should consider using different storage options for different data access needs and take advantage of providers’ lifecycle management policies, which move data to cheaper storage as it ages and becomes less integral to the organization’s operational needs.
Take Advantage of Discounted or Free Services
Most providers will offer discounts for long-term commitments, especially if your computing has predictable usage. This allows you to avoid the on-demand pricing. Some providers also offer free tier offerings if you agree to run some computing for the provider. Like any other computing provider, many cloud providers also offer rewards programs and promotions to help organizations save money.
Audit Your Services
The best way to ensure quality cost control and performance from your cloud-based systems is to conduct regular audits of your cloud services. This will tell you what you are getting for your money and it allows you to take advantage of situations that wouldn’t be possible without this regular review.
The IT professionals at Coleman Technologies know just how important cloud computing is for our clients and can help you best manage your IT budget and get the resources you need at the price you are comfortable with. Give our IT experts a call today at (604) 513-9428 to have a conversation about your business’ technology needs.
