Adopting the cloud is dependent on three vital elements – service, product mix and connectivity
Adopting the cloud sounds straightforward. Cloud is about improving productivity, increasing competitiveness and reducing costs, but only if your cloud partner understands your business and the options available.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) means different things to different organisations depending on their state of technological development and organisational maturity. The successful IaaS cloud partner understands the three key issues underpinning effective use of the cloud – service, it’s not just the cloud and connectivity.
Service not technology
Understanding what kind and level of service your business needs and agreeing with your partner on how that can be delivered is critical.
The technology is important but understanding what needs to be done and when, building in the services you need and ensuring that the service will be able to deliver the business benefits you are seeking is of the utmost importance.
It’s not just cloud
Most enterprises are entirely dependent on a mix of legacy technologies that cannot, and should not, be binned overnight.
A partner who understands how to blend public cloud, private cloud, managed hosting and co-location services into the right mix for your business will increase your ability to maximise your investment.
Choosing a single partner that fits all these needs is a compelling strategy.
The cloud is not an island
A business has a multiplicity of applications that are tightly interlinked and interdependent. The network used to link them together becomes a key factor. Having a network that supports the performance, flexibility, resilience and security necessities of an organisation is essential. Internet- based cloud services are not going to be able to meet the mission-critical needs of a complex organisation. A partner with a range of options on a high- performing network would offer the more likely path to success.
Michelle Senecal De Fonseca is managing director of hosting at Cable & Wireless
0800 092 5825
www.cw.com
