Look before you leap: choosing a cloud solutions provider

Guest post from Cindy Bates, Vice President, US Small and Medium Sized Businesses (US SMB)

If you’ve ever moved, you know the hassle involved with choosing new doctors, dentists, mechanics and the like. Generally, just opening the phone book or doing a quick Internet search and going with the first names that pop up won’t net you the best results. Your best bet would be to ask for a referral from a friend or colleague who has had a positive experience.

Similarly, when it comes to selecting a cloud solutions provider, prudence pays off and will reap you better results than just signing on with the first cloud service you come across in your search. Whether you receive a referral or decide to conduct research on your own, consider devising questions to ask your new service provider to ensure you’ll receive the best service possible. Not sure which questions to ask? I recommend focusing on the following three areas of consideration when selecting a cloud solutions provider:

1. Cost and Value:  Cloud solutions certainly can save your business money, but don’t get swept away by cost-cutting promises; instead, carefully evaluate how much the solution will cost you in the long run and whether you’ll have access to all of the features you might need. Remember, you still can benefit from the cloud, even when using it in tandem with traditional software, so don’t feel pressured to move everything to the cloud in one fell swoop.
2. Security:  Being able to store sensitive data in the cloud safely comes up as a key concern whenever I talk with customers about cloud computing, and rightfully so since the cloud is still relatively new territory in the computing industry. Fortunately, your sensitive data can reside securely in the cloud when you’re using cloud-based technologies that have vigilant security measures in place.
   Be sure any cloud solution you select offers robust security features. Also, evaluate your provider’s track record when it comes to security and determine if it has a history of providing high levels of security to customers and a deep understanding of the latest security threats and measures for protection.
3. Reliability:  Investing in a cloud computing solution is a bit like renting an apartment, in that you become dependent on someone else should problems arise. Therefore, choose a well-staffed provider that can easily manage any issues that surface. Look for 24/7 support, a high-availability guarantee in the service-level agreement and a demonstration of the provider’s ability to respond quickly in emergency situations. Microsoft, for example, promises 99.9 percent uptime and will provide a reimbursement for anything short of that promise. 

 If you know what you want and are ready to subscribe to Office 365 today, take a look at the plans available and get a free trial here.

If you’re not sure what mix of cloud and on-premise solution would suit your business, we recommend you talk to a Microsoft Partner who can offer advice and expertise.