Due to rising bandwidth requirements and the shift toward wireless systems, the enterprise network equipment market is projected to hit $30.6 billion by 2020. The fact is, more and more businesses are making the transition to an almost completely cloud-based IT infrastructure. According to Upwork’s 2018 Future Workforce Report, 38% of hiring managers predict that their employees will work predominantly remotely in the next 10 years. A cloud-based network enables employees to work and participate in meetings from wherever they’re most productive, and cloud technology can help businesses in countless other ways.
Of course, before migrating to the cloud, there’s a lot you need to know about this technology. Here’s what you should keep in mind before transitioning to a new cloud software or cloud service provider.
Don’t choose the first option you look at.
This should be a given, but sometimes, a cloud service provider will appear to be a perfect fit for your business. But as you begin the migration process, you discover they can’t provide all of the capabilities you require. The bottom line is that it’s essential to take time to explore multiple options when it comes to cloud services. According to a 2011 report, 86% of consumers will pay more for a better customer experience, and in this case, paying more for a cloud service package usually means you’ll get an enhanced level of service and support. As with any new vendor, explore multiple options and never choose the first provider you find.
“There are so many apps and different software options on the market that it may be hard for people to tell which one is better for them. Most just go with the crowd and get the first one that pops up in their search engine results, but that leads them to choose something unsuitable for their specific needs. The best way to counter that is to simply look for alternative options to that app or piece of software. You’ll more than likely find better ones in the end,” writes the Forbes Technology Council.
Try to get in touch with current clients/users of the software.
If possible, try to get in touch with current clients or users of the software or cloud provider you’re considering. This gives you an up-close look at any shortcomings that may otherwise have been unclear until contracts have been signed. Any shortcomings in the wrong area, like security, could be seriously bad news for your business and customers.
Remember technology and compliance concerns.
Cyber security should be a major concern with any new piece of enterprise technology. However, certain businesses face unique regulatory and legal obstacles when migrating to the cloud. There are 1,315,561 lawyers in the United States, and all of them are required to maintain their clients’ confidentiality. Likewise, health care providers must ensure that their patients’ records are kept private and secure at all times. When this type of data is stored in the cloud, additional cybersecurity measures will be required to ensure your business meets all compliance standards. It’s always worthwhile to minimize the risk of security breaches, so work closely with your cloud services provider to ensure your data is safe.
Plan for company growth.
Finally, it’s important to choose a cloud provider or software that offers the ability to scale if needed. For instance, does your provider make it easy to upgrade the number of devices that are in the network? As your business grows, you need to make sure that your cloud system grows with it.
What devices are compatible with the technology?
As more and more businesses allow telecommuting, mobile devices are becoming more important in the day-to-day operations of many businesses. In addition, many retail environments and service industries now utilize mobile devices such as tablets. As you migrate to the cloud, make sure that your software will be compatible with all of your hardware.
“Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies are now the standard for many organizations. These typically increase staff productivity by ensuring that they are connected and productive wherever they are. However, you must anticipate the addition of these devices to your infrastructure and consider them in your strategy. Evaluate how well-equipped your IT team is to manage additional devices. Invest in the proper tools and technologies that would help them be more efficient in maintaining your infrastructure,” writes Yoav Vilner on Entrepreneur.
Ultimately, the sky is the limit when it comes to adopting a new and improved cloud software that’s more efficient and conducive to your business’s ever-changing goals. Don’t hesitate to take the process slowly and deliberately until you find the perfect cloud services provider.
