Where Should You Start Your Cloud Journey?

By Amanda Daly | Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

Are you a new firm that is looking to move your infrastructure or applications to the cloud? Are you in the middle of an office move and deciding that moving your infrastructure to the cloud is the most cost efficient? If so, you’re probably wondering where you should start your cloud journey. This article will take you through the beginning phases of starting your cloud journey.

Perform a self-assessment of your firm

The first step when looking to outsource IT services is to do some reflecting on your firm's needs. Ask yourself the following:

What is right for your firm?
What are your firm's IT priorities?
What is the organization looking to achieve?

An assessment can help your firm find a compatible provider who understands your industry as well as your priorities and goals.

When Is the Right Time to Move to The Cloud?

Determining when the right time to move to the cloud is a challenge that many firms can face. The “real” answer is that it is never too early to outsource your IT. The future is cloudy, but that’s a good thing. Here are some signs that it is time to outsource your IT.

Your business is in the midst of growth or an office relocation
You're not getting your money's worth
You're concerned about security
When you’ve found the right managed IT provider
You’re in need of a technology refresh

If your firm falls into any of these categories, it might be the right time to outsource your IT. Contact an Eze Representative to learn more about how we can help you with your outsourced IT and managed cloud needs.

Which Managed Cloud is Best for My Firm?

Understanding the different types of clouds can help you understand what managed cloud is best for your firm. When it comes to the managed public cloud vs. managed private cloud vs. hybrid cloud debate, there’s a time and a place for each. But again, that decision typically comes down to if a firm is more security driven or perhaps requires more flexibility and less control.

Choose a Vendor/Firm That Can Grow with You

After you have deemed that it is time to move to the cloud, your firm needs to choose the right cloud consultant and the right cloud for your firm. Following are five attributes to look for when vetting a cloud consultant:

Depth and quality of staff
Strong communication skills
A proven strategy
Experience in cloud deployment
Deep security knowledge

The reality is that there is numerous cloud consultant but be sure to select one that is experienced in deploying cloud solutions that are specific to your industry and has a solid understanding of your business environment. Trusting your IT vendor or partner is crucial. Accountability and transparency provides clarity, keeps projects on track and ensures alignment of goals between the two organizations. Lack of trust between the organizations creates confusion and slows processes down. You want to ensure your journey to the cloud is successful and designed to support your organization’s future growth.

Are you ready to make the move to the cloud? Contact us to let us start mapping out your cloud journey! You can also visit www.eci.com/cloud to learn more.