Cloud service providers will often list off a whole series of benefits that a move to the cloud will bring companies, but the cost savings from making the switch was in fact thought of as the most motivating factor for the majority of businesses.
Cloud computing can be useful for many reasons, but a recent survey conducted by Cloud Cruiser has confirmed what most in the industry already believed; businesses are moving to the cloud mainly to save money.
The survey, which took place during Microsoft Ignite 2015 in Chicago, saw a whopping 92 percent of respondents claim they are looking to implement a cloud adoption strategy. When asked to identify some motivating factors behind the move, 50 percent of respondents said they hoped to reduce costs and improve their IT efficiency through cloud computing.
While the the technical improvements and flexibility of moving to the cloud are substantial benefits that have also played an important role in the tremendous growth of cloud usage. The most important benefit is the ability to reduce costs and improve organizational efficiency.
Additionally, it seems companies planning to make the move want to keep a sharp long-term focus on cost savings. When asked, 72 percent of respondents said that continually tracking cloud usage and costs is either extremely important or very important for their business. It’s not just the immediate savings that companies get from moving to the cloud that is attracting businesses to adopt; it is the long-term cost-saving benefits that they get from carefully tracking cloud usage that’s attractive as well.
That being said, when a company makes a firm decision to move to the cloud they may run into problems of accurately tracking usage and gaining full control of IT forecasts.
There is still a long way to go in cloud computing visibility. Easily and accurately tracking cloud metrics is still a work in progress. This can be a big hurdle in cloud adoption. Although businesses are beginning to take advantage of the opportunity to track usage, the capability to execute it well requires very complex and careful management of cloud apps.
Many businesses are not currently tracking their usage in a way that will let them take actionable steps to see long-term improvements in operational efficiency. This is not because they lack the will, but because accurate and consistent tracking is simply difficult to do at this stage.
Tracking cloud usage can be one of the most powerful benefits of cloud adoption, but it’s not yet an inherent feature. In order to implement a cloud strategy well, it’s necessary to find a quality Managed Service Provider (MSP) that has the appropriate tools, processes, and expert people in place to help a business do just that.
Consider a vendor’s approach to IT Service Management
If a vendor can offer you a comprehensive ITSM platform with the right processes in place to leverage these tools for your business, it’s likely they will guide you to long-term cloud computing benefits. Businesses need to look for a vendor that will be a trusted advisor, not just a short-term resource. Finding an MSP with the qualities for long-term success can make a move to the cloud a worthwhile investment.
Evaluate the different processes vendors have in place to solve critical issues— are these methods unusual or lacking in key areas? All managed service providers will claim to offer similar ‘standard’ services, but the teams that excel are those that have intelligent, detailed, and forward-thinking SOPs in place which are executed with consistency.
All providers say they will have monitoring and ticketing systems, but look deeper into the SOPs within each process. Do vendors simply provide these tools, or do they actively leverage them for your long-term benefit? Evaluate your Service Level Agreements (SLAs) requirements and make sure the MSP has the proper resources to service your specific needs dependably.
When evaluating vendors, look at the operational intricacies and experience of the resources you’ll be working with. Think in terms of long-term benefits rather than immediate cost savings when planning a cloud adoption strategy.
A move to the cloud requires the complex integration of various tools and apps within traditional databases. Apps should be integrated innovatively to maximize the ability to track usage and improve efficiency. It’s not easy. It is a daunting task to do well. If the vendor you choose has broad database knowledge and a clear understanding of the nuts, bolts, and finer details of your environment they can get you long-term benefits.
Managing a move to the cloud is not a simple project. MSPs that can help you do it successfully will have a program management platform in place with experienced talent on their teams who can advise on ways to reach both short-term and long-term goals. This is an element that is proving to make a critical difference in achieving both short and long-term cost savings. Don’t cut corners with your cloud integration process. Take the time to find the right partner and make this a worthwhile investment for your organization.
Wondering if your database administrator has what it takes to make this transition happen? Ask these tough questions to make sure your DBA is on track:
