Making the decision to migrate company data to the cloud is a big choice that requires a large amount of planning. To reduce the amount of potential downtime your customers are faced with, it’s important to only migrate one department within your organization at a time. By doing this, you can address issues that arise from the migration right away as opposed to letting them grow.
However, the first step in any migration to the cloud is identifying which cloud platform type you wish to set up on.
There are three primary options to consider when integrating cloud computing into your business, so learning everything there is to know about each can help you determine which is the best fit.
What is Cloud Computing?
Currently, 94% of enterprises use cloud services on a day-to-day basis, going to show just how widespread cloud computing has become. However, the actual definition of what cloud computing is can be confusing. As opposed to on-site computing, cloud computing refers to accessing a network of remote servers hosted through the Internet which allow a person to view, manipulate, and store data.
For example, when you upload a photo from a smartphone into the cloud, it isn’t being uploaded onto a physical server in the same room as you. That photo is being stored on a physical server elsewhere and, when you need to download the photo to your device again, you access that server remotely to get the photo. While this is a relatively simple example, the same concept applies to other forms of data and applications that exist within a company.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
When considering integrating cloud computing into your company, there are a variety of benefits and drawbacks to consider. Most notably, the benefits of using cloud computing in your organization include:
- Reduced operational costs stemming from not using physical IT hardware
- Data loss prevention through enhanced security measures
- High level of scalability and flexibility
- Increased level of collaboration between teams
Drawbacks of Cloud Computing
While these notable benefits of cloud computing can convince any organization to throw funds into a migration, it’s important to consider some of the potential drawbacks first:
- Cloud migration is not an overnight process and can take months to complete
- If not set up properly, cloud migration can cost organization money in the short term
- New technology inevitably comes with never before seen cybersecurity concerns
Different Types of Cloud Computing
With all of the above taken into account, there are three primary types of cloud computing a business can consider integrating:
1. Private Cloud Computing
Private cloud computing refers to an organization that uses only a single cloud platform that is either built on-site or externally. Only one organization has access to this cloud which is where the term private cloud comes from. The organization who the cloud is dedicated for is responsible for all management of the cloud, including integrating security countermeasures and applications among other things. Generally, private cloud computing setups are the most expensive and are used by larger organizations.
2. Public Cloud Computing
A public cloud computing setup is when an organization shares cloud server with other organizations. The data stored within those servers will not be muddled together, but the cloud is hosted over the public Internet. Public cloud providers handle the management of the cloud, including security features and the deployment of applications.
3. Hybrid Cloud Computing
Finally, a hybrid cloud computing setup involves a company who chooses to use both a private cloud and public cloud simultaneously. Applications on a hybrid cloud computing setup will be run using a combination of computing and storage components from both of the above cloud types, hence the name hybrid. In some cases, “edge” locations will also be used which refer to on-site data servers.
How to Choose the Right Cloud Computing for Your Business
Choosing the right cloud setup for your organization can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. After making a choice for your cloud setup, you will further have to adjust factors such as CapEx vs. OpEx cloud spend, applications hosted on the cloud, size of the cloud, and more. Use the following guidelines for determining which cloud computing setup is right for your needs:
- Consider whether your organization has the knowledge base to manage your own cloud platform.
- Think about the budget your organization has set for a cloud migration
- Take into account how long each cloud platform type will take to setup within your organization
- Consider the unique needs of your organization.
- Remember to account for potential business growth that your organization could have in the coming years.
- Think about whether or not you want another organization handling all of the security and management of your cloud data.
Tips for Migrating Data to the Cloud
As you go about selecting a cloud platform type that is right for your business, there are a few general tips to follow when migrating data to the cloud that can ensure the whole process goes smoother. Most notably:
- Only migrate one department or section of the business at a time to avoid widespread troubleshooting.
- Constantly test the new systems that are set up in order to ensure they are working how you would like.
- Create a migration plan before the first amount of data is even transferred.
- Establish performance baselines ahead of time.
- Work with an accredited cloud migration specialist who has a solid understanding of the cloud.
Bolster the success of your organization.
When it comes to creating success within your organization, ensuring you are on the cutting edge of technology, regardless of your field of business, will help. If you haven’t already considered migrating to cloud services, doing so can help you save both time and money while giving your employees and customers a better experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to an accredited cloud provider who can meet the needs of your organization.
