13 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Cloud Solution
Cloud technology has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and cloud software and platforms are becoming the norm for organizations of all sizes. And the market for cloud software is just getting bigger—IDC predicts that cloud spending (including cloud services and IT products) will exceed $500 billion (USD) by 2020. With the latest reports from Forrester indicating that cloud is “cannibalizing” traditional on-premises technology, there’s no looking back—the cloud is here to stay.
1. Delivery model flexibility
With the many varieties of cloud delivery models out there, there are more choices but also more flexibility. Some cloud vendors offer the flexibility to change delivery models as business needs change—without modifications to configuration or the user interface.
First you must decide which type of cloud your company is best suited for, public or private, or a hybrid option offering private features in a public cloud. The public cloud offers a shared environment, where hardware, network, and storage are hosted in the provider’s data center and the control of each company’s data is handled by the public cloud provider. By contrast, with a private cloud, services and infrastructure are maintained on a private network behind a firewall. They offer more control but at a significantly higher cost than a public network. With a hybrid cloud a company can use both private and public options for different parts of its business. There is also sometimes the possibility to switch between private and public cloud modes as needed.
Which service model to use is another decision companies have to make when selecting a cloud solution. Cloud computing architecture relies on three main parts, or layers: technology, application, and information. These layers of architecture are delivered via three main service models: software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS), listed in order of increasing external hosting level.
2. Ability to use the application on trial
Trial use is a feature unique to cloud deployment. The beauty of it is you can try an application before you even contact the vendor. Trying the application (with no strings attached) can give you valuable insight into the application’s usability and interface, as well as a sense of how quickly and easily tasks can be performed.
3. Integration with other applications
If you have an understanding of the number of required integration points, and how the cloud vendor will integrate (whether through APIs or an integration server), this will give you an understanding of the likely length of the implementation process.
4. Business process remodeling
If using a public cloud, understand what kind of customization may be required based on desired internal business processes and see what possibilities are available with the cloud platforms you’re considering. For example, on screen adjustments, non-source code customizations, or a certain level of business processes accommodation flexibility via pre-designed system logic may be possible but the source code can’t be modified. Make sure you understand how workflows are created (point-and-click versus technical programming) with the various platforms being considered, and what kind of system integration and technical services are provided with the pricing model.
5. Security
Determine the layers of security that exist within the application and the data center. How will the cloud vendor protect your data from viruses, hackers, and theft? Another important question to ask is whether or not a vendor has its own data center and cloud technology or uses one of the large providers, such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. The advantage of going with one of the big providers is that other packages are also developed on these platforms, so companies may find it easier to integrate systems with each other, for example an ERP with a CRM application. But using an in-house data center has its perks too, such as keeping company data close and being in control of updates and changes.
6. Platform/mobile compatibility
Make sure the cloud application is fully functional on the multiple operating systems and Web browsers that are likely in use at your organization. Also verify its accessibility via mobile devices if needed. It’s important to think about the future when it comes to compatibility as well. Is a mobile strategy included in the company’s IT strategy? How do the cloud applications under consideration match with your organization’s future IT, web, and mobile needs?
7. Backups and Recovery
When evaluating a cloud provider, learn about its contingency, backup, and recovery plans and liabilities for both the platform and the data. Obviously these are important as with a cloud solution your data will more than likely be hosted off-site, and you want to be sure that your company’s data is safe and backed up with a reliable recovery plan in place.
8. Upgrades
Cloud vendors typically provide quicker response to innovation and new features, since deployment cycles are shorter than for on-premises applications. However, before signing on the dotted line you should ensure that these upgrades are indeed applied regularly and free of charge. Assess the vendor’s roadmap of product upgrades and determine how often they are expected.
Also, a test system or database should allow for playing with data, setup, and new upgrades/updates so the IT team is able to test new features or processes and detect any errors. Sufficient testing time should be granted to customers to test and adjust business processes along with the capabilities of the new version.
9. Service level agreements
Clear service level expectations must be documented within the service level agreement (SLA), including penalty clauses and conditions for undelivered services or unmet expectations. Make sure that the cloud vendor provides services beyond application delivery (e.g., business issues resolution, training, implementation support, and customer service).
Useful matters to also have addressed in the agreement are who owns the data (the vendor or the customer), the procedure of getting the customer’s data back to the customer in the case of a subscription contract termination or expiration, and how fast customer’s data change requests can be processed by the vendor.
10. Training and Support
In order for the cloud software to be used by users to its fullest potential, training is required. Make sure the cloud provider has well-developed training programs. Along these lines, determine what kind of training is provided for new users, as well as for system upgrades. Also, ensure that the cloud provider can handle support enquiries if your organization runs into problems or has specific questions.
11. Scalability
Evaluate the cloud provider’s scalability through such infrastructure points as bandwidth, load balancers, servers, data warehouses, etc. Analyze its long- and short-term growth strategy and level of service. Will the cloud provider be able to maintain and improve service levels with the growth of its business and clients? The vendor’s preliminary testing of the customer’s existing hardware and bandwidth along with providing technical recommendations on improving these are typically included in cloud software implementation projects.
12. Reference checks with existing customers
To evaluate a cloud provider’s ability to handle your organizational requirements, conduct reference checks with established clients that have been with the cloud provider for longer than contracted by initial terms. This will demonstrate whether the provider is effectively able to maintain its customer base. If you can, do on-site visits, as these will also help you see the technology in action, and get direct user feedback about the system and its provider.
13. Vendor viability
As many cloud vendors are relatively new players in the market, you should consider a cloud provider’s financial robustness. Focus on revenue streams (since pay-as-you-go revenues need to be maintained) and venture capital (investors backing the company) to assess whether the vendor will be around and able to grow as your organizational needs grow.
Source: 13 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Cloud Solution