Questions to Ask Your Prospective Cloud Services Provider

In today’s uber-connected world, companies are coming to rely more and more on their digital services to increase productivity, reduce overheads and improve efficiency. Modern cloud computing providers are opening a world of opportunities to firms big and small and are slowly transforming the commercial landscape - a process often referred to as the digitalization of business or Industry 4.0. 

The benefits of cloud networking
If you’re already at the point you’re reading an article about questions to ask a cloud provider, you likely already have a very clear idea of the substantial benefits that migrating to the cloud can bring. However, just as a quick recap, the common advantages of cloud services include:

• Cost-savings
• Business agility and adaptability
• Access to cutting-edge tech at an affordable price
• Mobile computing services
• Bulletproof security provision and backups
• 24/7/365 support

Not all cloud providers are created equal
While the benefits of cloud migration are clear to see, it’s still important to remember that not all cloud providers might fit with your firm and its particular requirements. Moreover, just as with so many other areas of life, not all cloud companies offer the same services - or, unfortunately, work to the same standards. Consequently, you should have a clear idea of what you’re looking for before engaging a provider to look after your precious data.

Key features and qualities to look for in your prospective cloud provider
If you’re still deliberating or are unsure about taking the plunge and entrusting your firm’s digital services to a cloud provider, below are a few key questions you should ask that should give you peace of mind that you’re contracting a trustworthy, professional firm:

How reliable is the company: Any reputable cloud services provider should be more than happy to show you examples of previous and existing clients - plus give you testimonials and recommendations on request. If they refuse to do so, you should steer well clear as this is a major tell-tale sign of a company that doesn’t take pride in its work.

Do they have experience in your sector with companies like yours: The services offered by cloud companies can vary greatly, and what fits one type of firm may not necessarily fit with your business model or your processes, specific software, etc. Ideally, a prospective provider should have knowledge and experience of your type of company and how you operate. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions pertaining to your business - for example, “what is kubernetes” - to get a better idea of their specific knowledge as it pertains to your business model.

Can the company scale as you grow? As mentioned above, one of the biggest advantages of cloud networking is the ability to scale and adapt quickly. You should ensure a prospective provider has the capacity to upgrade services and grow with you as your firm develops.

Security - and what happens in the event of a crash, security breach, etc: A professional cloud company should be able to outline in detail what security provisions they have in place and, crucially, what they do if the unthinkable happens and you suffer a security breach or system failure. In truth, no computer system is ever 100% safe or reliable, and errors/failures can and do happen. However, these types of problems will prove to be little more than temporary hiccups so long as the cloud firm has adequate precautions and security cover in place.

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