How To Implement Cloud Technology While Managing Cloud Computing Costs Effectively

One of the fastest growing segments of the IT industry is cloud computing. Business leaders and directors the world over have begun to see the benefits that cloud computing has to offer on nearly every level of business infrastructure. However, it’s easy to get lost in the zeitgeist of the cloud era and sign up for services that you don’t need, or to pay extra for services you use without realizing it. The key to optimizing your efficiency as a business is to implement the right cloud technology at the right price.

Common Mistakes Companies Make With Cloud Computing

Upon making the decision to transition to cloud computing, there are few common mistakes that business executives are likely to make. These are not major missteps, but they will cost you in the long run, so it’s worth it to pay attention and avoid them:

• Being upsold by a cloud provider. Cloud service providers rely heavily on their sales pitch to get new clients in. As a result, you can easily find yourself signing up for services you don’t actually need. There are three major types of cloud computing services: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Each of these serves specific needs and you’ll want to be familiar with yours before signing on to one or more of them.
• Starting by updating legacy processes. You should begin your foray into cloud computing by thinking cloud-first. That means starting with new projects and then working your way back to the old processes you need to update. If you begin by updating old processes, you run the risk of getting more (or less) than you bargained for.
• Purchasing features without running a pilot test. While having elasticity, high availability or multiple architectures may sound like they can bring you increased productivity and boost your bottom line, it’s hard to know whether that will be the case until you actually try it out. This will be no problem for a cloud provider who offers measured services, and is highly recommended so you can get a clear picture as to just how helpful these features are.

Know What Cloud Services You Need

In order to succeed in your quest to implement cost-effective cloud computing services, you need to know what features are important and which ones you can live without. Researching various offers from cloud providers and comparing their services is vital to making the right choice in this instance, and you’ll want to pay close attention to your productivity when pilot testing new features.

The most important element of any feature you add onto your cloud service is value. Ask yourself whether the feature in question produces more value than its cost. You may be surprised by the answers you receive, finding that you what you believed was greater efficiency only cost more money in the long run. Some of your processes may generate more value by being implemented on-site, but only your bottom line can reflect whether that’s the case.