Launching your business into the modern world is an exciting, yet daunting experience. Now, more than ever, standing out amongst the competition is extremely difficult considering how many new businesses are launched annually. To put this into perspective, over five million new businesses were launched in the last year, going to show how just how difficult it can be for a budding company to make a name for themselves.
Doing so requires setting up the perfect technological foundation that allows for scalability and growth long into the future. To that end, cloud computing is the best way to build out that foundation, but the process can be challenging for those who are unfamiliar with the technology. By learning everything there is to know about integrating cloud services into a business, you can ensure the competition doesn’t outpace your own business.
What is the Cloud?
For those unfamiliar with the term, cloud computing simply refers to a multitude of servers which are accessed via the Internet, rather than through a hard, on-site connection. Software and databases are run on these servers, meaning anyone can access these servers to conduct their business from anywhere in the world, so long as they have a competition. However, integrating the cloud into a business is particularly challenging due to the fact that there are three different types of cloud setups to consider.
The Three Different Types of Cloud
As mentioned, there are three different cloud integrations to consider, each of which offers specific and targeted services for different businesses. Each of the following different types of clouds should be considered when thinking about an integration:
Private Cloud
A private cloud setup is one where only a single business utilizes an entire dedicated cloud, and no other organization has access to those services. This cloud setup is typically firewalled and extremely secured, but it must be managed by the company themselves as opposed to a third-party manager.
Public Cloud
On the other hand, a public cloud setup is one in which multiple companies or individuals can access servers on a cloud. A common public cloud to think of as an example is the Google Suite. Public clouds are managed by third parties who may own the cloud, but they often come with far more flexibility.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud setup is the middle ground between the private and public cloud setup, with a company having a dedicated cloud for more sensitive tasks and data, yet also having access to a public cloud for general work purposes.
7 Tips for Integrating the Cloud Smoothly
With all of the three above cloud types outlined, it’s important for a business to learn how to integrate cloud computing smoothly so that common cloud integration business issues do not occur. Specifically, the following seven tips can assist any budding business:
1. Focus on integrating one department at a time
First and foremost, the biggest tip for a business to consider is to handle their migration to the cloud one department at a time. If a company decided to move all of their departments over at once, yet something goes wrong with the integration, they risk the entire business being down for a period of time as opposed to a single department.
2. Poll your employees to see what they desire
The employees of a company make up the business and should always be consulted when determining which cloud-based services can enhance the business. Send out an employee poll to see which specific services would be of most benefit so that time and money are not wasted on unnecessary integrations.
3. Assess your current infrastructure to identify pain points
All business owners should understand the ins and outs of their business, including the parts that nobody wants to acknowledge. By understanding the pain points of your organization, you can actively take steps to integrate cloud computing in specific ways which will benefit the business.
4. Always test and validate before deploying
Never attempt to integrate cloud computing services into your organization without first testing the computing and validating those tests. By skipping this step, a company can accidentally cause their entire business to falter while systems are being brought back online. Combine this tip with the aforementioned tip of integrating cloud computing services on a department-by-department basis to ensure that no issues arise.
5. Hire a cloud-based specialist to handle the integration
When in doubt, hire a cloud-based specialist to ensure that your integration goes smoothly. There’s no shame in not having a solid understanding of cloud computing or how to integrate cloud computing into your business. Rather than attempting to pretend to know something you don’t or spending the time to learn a skill that may not be applicable o your business, outsource the job to someone who can handle it with more knowledge and efficiency.
6. Compare different cloud providers
There are a variety of different cloud providers on the market who offer varying services and integrations to consider. Compare each and every cloud provider in your area so that you understand the full scope of their offerings to see which has the most applicable services to your organization.
7. Consider which customizations are necessary and unnecessary
Cloud computing is not a one-stop shop when it comes to the integration. There will be a suite of customizations that can be considered, but they are not all necessary for your business. Think about each and every customization to see if it will impact your business in a beneficial way and, if not, consider steering clear of the customization to save time and money during the process.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of whichever field your business may be within, ensuring you have a strong technological foundation can help launch your business above others. Utilize all of the above to ensure you understand what the cloud is, including the different types, as well as the best tips for integrating cloud services into your organization today.