4 Questions to Ask Your Cloud Service Provider

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Assessment Dashboard - Cloud Migration (Excel workbook). The Cloud Migration Self-Assessment will make you a Cloud Migration domain expert by: 1. Reducing the effort in the Cloud Migration work to be done to get problems solved 2. Ensuring that plans of action include every Cloud Migration task and that every Cloud Migration outcome is in place 3. [read more]

Also, if you are interested in becoming an expert on Digital Transformation, take a look at Flevy's Digital Transformation Frameworks offering here. This is a curated collection of best practice frameworks based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. By learning and applying these concepts, you can you stay ahead of the curve. Full details here.

* * * *

Moving to the cloud is one of the most trending topics in the business world. It refers to transferring a company’s data and applications to a cloud computing environment. In other words, it is a practice of utilizing networks of dedicated server hosting online to create, store, share, and manage data.

There are several benefits to moving to the cloud. For instance, it offers flexibility because it has a vast storage capacity. You can store any amount of data.

Besides, the cloud is reliable because you can retrieve data from a different Dedicated Server. For that reason, you won’t be worried even when one of your business servers collapses. Aside from that, you can access your business information anywhere, anytime, with devices connected to the cloud.

While moving to the cloud has many benefits, you must ensure you partner with the right service provider. You can achieve that by posing the following questions to your preferred cloud service provider during the first consultative meeting.

1. Is Your Company Registered with the Government?

Registration is perhaps one of the most important questions you may want to ask any cloud computing company before signing a contract. It is vital since not all cloud service providers are registered with the government. Some offer cloud computing services illegally. Therefore, to ensure you hire a genuine or legally launched cloud computing firm, confirm their registration.

There are a lot of benefits of working with a registered cloud computing company. For instance, it can ensure your business remains compliant with the law. This point is crucial because a cloud service provider company must adhere to some set state’s data creation and sharing rules before being awarded the registration certificate.

Therefore, a registered cloud company can ensure your company handles online data according to the law. As a result, you won’t have to deal with expensive legal penalties.

Aside from that, working with a registered cloud service provider may help enhance your peace of mind so you can focus on managing your business. You can ensure that your company data is handled competently by a genuine service provider. If you’re looking for a registered cloud computing service provider for your business, you can consider Exigent IT solutions or any other similar agency.

2. How Secure Is Your Platform?

As noted earlier, moving to the cloud is one of the most effective approaches to streamlining your business operations. However, it may put your business at a high risk of online attacks. It is especially true if you use insecure platforms. That’s why you need to know how secure the system or software of a particular cloud service provider is before hiring them.

To help keep your data secure from online attackers, you may want to find a cloud computing service provider with the best cybersecurity services. These may include data encryption, adoption of two-factor authentication, provision of data backup and recovery plans, etc. In addition, you may want to hire a cloud computing company with a lot of experience in cybersecurity. You can only keep your business data safe by working with a service provider with a secure platform.

3. Where Are Your Cloud Servers Located?

Although ignored by some business owners, the location of dedicated servers is essential when selecting a service provider. It determines which legal jurisdictions you’ll follow when creating and sharing data.

Note that just creating and sharing documents without adhering to legal jurisdiction may negatively affect your business finances. For instance, you might get sued for breach of data. It’s, therefore, crucial to ask where cloud servers are located to familiarize yourself with the legal jurisdictions in that area.

4. Which Tools Do You Use for Communication?

Effective communication is essential to any business relationship. And that’s true when it comes to finding a suitable cloud service provider.

You indeed require data to make strategic decisions on your business. However, you might not achieve that if you can’t access data whenever you may need it.

Cloud computing enables you to access your business data at any time. However, sometimes you may need clarification about a few things from your service provider. Hence, you need to know the tools they use to share information.

The best cloud service provider to hire should utilize modern tools, allowing real-time communication. This approach enables you to get news about your concerns on time. As a result, you’ll likely run a successful company.

Takeaway

There are several cloud computing service providers out there. However, not every company you meet can be the best match for your business. But by asking the questions presented in this article, you can be guaranteed to find the right service provider.

Want to Achieve Excellence in Digital Transformation?

Gain the knowledge and develop the expertise to become an expert in Digital Transformation. Our frameworks are based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. Click here for full details.

Digital Transformation is being embraced by organizations of all sizes across most industries. In the Digital Age today, technology creates new opportunities and fundamentally transforms businesses in all aspects—operations, business models, strategies. It not only enables the business, but also drives its growth and can be a source of Competitive Advantage.

For many industries, COVID-19 has accelerated the timeline for Digital Transformation Programs by multiple years. Digital Transformation has become a necessity. Now, to survive in the Low Touch Economy—characterized by social distancing and a minimization of in-person activities—organizations must go digital. This includes offering digital solutions for both employees (e.g. Remote Work, Virtual Teams, Enterprise Cloud, etc.) and customers (e.g. E-commerce, Social Media, Mobile Apps, etc.).

Learn about our Digital Transformation Best Practice Frameworks here.