Cloud computing uses hosted resources to house your applications or infrastructure, freeing you from worries about hardware, cooling, power, and other IT infrastructure concerns, as well as the costs that go with them. Most networks are built to handle the peak requests times yet sit idle more than 80% of the time.
What does the Cloud Offer?
- There are no servers to worry about—no cables, and no problems. If your requirements change, the cloud provider just leverages their infrastructure to accommodate the changes without capital expense or downtime.
Is Moving to the Cloud Right for You?
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Identify your goals for moving to the cloud and any barriers that might stand in your way.
Cost Barriers
- Does it make sense for your infrastructure? Custom-built or very complex systems may be better off on the ground—hosted, managed, and supported internally. With a cost analysis you can determine if your hardware should be outsourced. Also, consider which costs are fixed versus variable. If your user counts fluctuate, you may opt to use and just pay for what you need—that’s possible with the cloud.
Availability and Performance
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Do you have enough Internet bandwidth to connect to cloud servers and applications? Can you purchase more? Also think about uptime. Will your systems be available when you need them to be? You’ll need a qualified vendor to provide support and maintenance if you host your own hardware solution.
Data Security and Protection:
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Always ensure that you control access to your data and protect the physical systems that store it. It’s essential to also have a backup and disaster recovery plan in the event of a crash or data loss.
Standards and regulations
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Make sure that you’re upholding compliance requirements and that your cloud provider has a suitable confidentiality clause. Update organizational policies and procedures like staff permissions and individual access rights.