Deciding between public cloud services can be a daunting task. The sheer number of cloud providers and the varying features offered by each can make it difficult to determine which provider will best fulfill your needs. The main benefit of using a public cloud service is its easy accessibility and flexibility. Public cloud services allow you to scale up or down as needed, with minimal downtime, without installing additional hardware or increasing the number of I.T. support staff required. Here are some tips for evaluating whether a given public cloud service is right for your business.
Understand What You’re Getting Into
When looking at cloud offerings, understand exactly what they offer. For example, if you’re looking at a solution for file sharing, does it offer version control? If so, does it handle large files or just text documents? Does it require extra software or only a browser? You should understand what sets one solution apart from another to determine which will work best for your organization.
Check the Compatibility
You must know exactly what type of functionality you need and ensure that the proposed cloud provider supports the software you use. For example, if you run e-commerce applications that require Microsoft SQL Server, ensure that the provider offers SQL Server hosting services.
Examine Security Concerns
Because all data in the public cloud is stored on a third party’s servers, there is potential for security breaches. Check that any potential provider employs industry-standard protocols to ensure data integrity and customer privacy. Check reviews on web forums from customers who have used the service in question to see if there are any issues with its reliability or security practices.
Look for Industry Experience
When evaluating providers, look at their portfolios and check out the clients they’ve worked with within your industry. It’s also important to find out if they have any certifications or accreditations specific to your industry — like healthcare I.T. or HIPAA compliance — because depending on your business’s needs, these may be required.
Decide a Budget
The cost must be considered when choosing a cloud provider. Some providers offer discounts if you pay annually instead of monthly or if you commit to a certain amount of storage or processing power. Be sure to ask about any discounts or special offers that might be available at the time of purchase.
