Deciding to migrate to the cloud is a big moment in any business progression. It’s realizing that larger growth requires further leveraging technology to push things. However, it’s not an easy decision. Trusting someone else to safeguard and manage your data, customer information, financial records, and other sensitive information is hard. Companies want to know they have the right cloud provider that will help see them through their next growth phase and beyond. Entering into a partnership with a cloud content service should be done judiciously. Indeed, a lot of research should go into the provider and their track record. Here are some of the top considerations when choosing a cloud content service.
Cloud Content Service Price
Generally, price shouldn’t be the driving factor behind which provider you choose. It would be nonsense, though, to say that it shouldn’t play into the final decision. Start by creating a budget for your future cloud-based services. Do your research to make sure you are setting a reasonable budget. Organizations choosing a cloud provider should talk to multiple providers. They should compare what options are included in the cloud costs and do a cost/benefit analysis. Migrating to the cloud can be expensive but generally the return on investment is very high.
Ability to Scale
Organizations that enter into a cloud content service agreement need to be forward-looking. For example, they should approach each provider from the standpoint of what the partnership will look like years down the road. Does the provider have the resources and vision to scale in step with their clients? Some organizations encounter problems when they need to scale, and their cloud content service provider doesn’t have enough room or the proper technology to accommodate growth. As your company grows, you don’t want to have to worry about finding a new cloud provider because your original provider can’t handle the growth. Take a look at other companies that are served by the cloud provider. If all of the companies are tiny, it might be a sign that they don’t work with larger businesses. Look for a company that helps clients of various sizes. This shows their ability to scale up and down based on client needs. As you meet with different providers, be sure to tell them your company goals. Give them a 5-10 year plan of where you hope to be in the future. See what type of information they can give you about the flexibility of their cloud and how it can grow as your business grows.
Security Should Be a Priority
A lot of companies are tentative about cloud migration because they worry about the security of their data. Whether it’s customer records, financial statements, intellectual property, or other information, cloud content services should be able to safeguard client data. Make sure any provider you are considering has state-of-the-art security protocols. Discuss encryption policies and understand how documents are being protected both in-transit and while they are stored. In addition to encryption, there also need to be standards in regard to setting access permissions. Your documents in the cloud should not simply be able to be accessed by anyone. The cloud provider should have options so that you can choose who has access to which documents. Security of the cloud is especially important to medical providers. When it comes to patient information, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides strict guidelines so that the confidentiality of medical information is not compromised. Ideally, with cloud services, your data will be safe and secure from potential hackers or people trying to access documents they should not be accessing.
Fail-Over Capability of Cloud Content
At some point, most cloud content service providers experience technical difficulties that result in outages. Understandably, outages can be very frustrating for organizations because they hamper the ability to access their proprietary data. Make sure any provider you consider has fail-over capability so that if one facility fails, another will be able to transmit the data you need. This is crucial in making sure that your data will never be lost and that there are quick plans to get up and running again after an outage.
Great Customer Service
Last but not least, your cloud provider should be able to give your company excellent customer service. First, they should be easy to communicate with. The provider should have a 24/7 helpline that you can call any day, any time if you need help. Companies can’t always predict when issues will arise with their cloud. Whether an issue pops up during regular business hours or on a Sunday morning, you need to know that your provider is on call and ready to help. Second, your provider should be a good business partner. This means they are willing to work with you to create a unique, custom cloud experience. A cloud provider should cater to your company’s needs as opposed to simply providing an off-the-shelf cloud solution.
Vasion works with clients to customize cloud content services that help organizations manage their data responsibly. Our services are scalable and come at an affordable price point. We make security a top priority. Our main goal is keeping all of your documents encrypted, safe, and secure. Additionally, we have plans for when technical difficulties arise so that you are never left feeling stranded. Our top-notch customer service experts are available to help you anytime through any issues. If you have questions about the cloud and how it can benefit your company, contact our team today to hear how we can help.