Maximizing ROI With Cloud Managed Services: Tips and Tricks

Cloud managed services are one of the global leaders in digital transformation. As organizations have entered a new era of digitization, there is an undeniable requirement for agile workspaces with access to real-time data. Thanks to cloud solution services, all of this and much more are readily available today. So what are the benefits cloud services can offer, and how can you utilize all of them? Here is everything you wish to know. 

The Benefits of Cloud-Managed Services:

Cloud management services come with myriad benefits that help an organization prepare for an agile, future-ready workforce. Here are the top five benefits of managed cloud services: 

1. Agile and resilient business:  By partnering with a cloud managed services provider, you can enhance your business's agility and resilience significantly through robust around-the-clock network infrastructure management. The underlying technology confirms compliance with the necessary industry and regulatory standards.

2. Disaster recovery: Unprecedented events like power outages, cyber-attacks, or server crashes are unpleasant surprises that can disrupt the workflow. Thanks to cloud consulting services providers who ensure you enjoy uninterrupted services with regular data backups onto the cloud.  

3. 24/7 support: Partnering with a cloud consulting services provider offers access to round-the-clock support, which is vital for all organizations. Cloud services require consistent technical assistance, especially in the implementation stage. 24/7 support ensures that any significant issues occurring during or outside business hours will be promptly resolved. 

4. Continuous and smooth scalability: Businesses require service providers who can help them scale the cloud solution services as the business grows. Cloud managed services handle the concerns of space, cost, and slow payouts while you can focus on growth and innovation. 

5. Improved cybersecurity: Data theft and cyber crimes are concerning companies today as data is one of the key resources. Partnering with cloud management services providers with thorough knowledge of IT ensures that the best security measures are taken to protect your data in the public cloud. 

Key Strategies for Maximizing ROI with Cloud-Managed Services:

Do you know how you can maximize the ROI of cloud managed services? Here are four tips on making the most of your investment while building a future-oriented organization. 

1. Understand the shared responsibility model: In a private cloud, all your data is safe. However, the scenario is different in a shared cloud. Hence, you must understand the shared responsibility model for enhancing security. The responsibility for IT security ultimately rests with the cloud customer. However, the cloud provider also assumes responsibility for certain aspects of IT security, as per the shared responsibility model recognized by cloud and security professionals.

2. Use automation to simplify cloud management: You can simplify cloud management by automating the creation, deployment, and monitoring processes. You can implement DevOps principles and practices to automate the management of your cloud environments. 

3. Create a risk mitigation plan: Risks come unannounced. Hence it is crucial to have a risk mitigation and disaster management plan. You should have proper backup protection, disaster recovery, and other risk management strategies integrated into your cloud management practices.

4. Follow the guidelines to implement a resilient cloud: For successful and resilient cloud implementation, adhere to all the rules in the checklist. Additionally, it is vital to have the right service provider who can use the best practices of cloud implementation. 

Best Practices for Choosing a Cloud-Managed Services Provider:

Do you know that the successful transition to cloud solution services does not depend solely on you? So who else is responsible for it? The service provider who is assisting you in making the transition and implementing the cloud-managed services. Do you know how you can choose the right cloud-managed service provider? Here are six best practices that will help you reach the correct decision.

1. Look for the right credentials: Does your service provider have the required certificates and credentials? What is their relationship with top service providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google? Answers to these questions prove that your data is in safe hands and the cloud management service provider is reliable and adept for the task.

2. Check the technological capabilities: Besides certification, also check if the service provider's technical knowledge and skill set are updated per the current trends. You should also analyze your service provider's cloud architectures, standards, and policies to judge if they are a perfect fit for your business.

3. Ask for a legal service agreement: Do not shy away from drawing up a contract that safeguards the interests of both parties. Legal service level agreements answer the what, why, how, and when of measuring cloud managed services providers' performance.  

4. Inquire about support services: You will need support and maintenance services after the cloud implementation. Ensure that the cloud partner offers post-sales services. You must also be aware of the expected time required to resolve any critical issue so that your business does not suffer.

5. Compare and analyze cost: Do not settle on one vendor. It is advisable to evaluate all suitable alternatives and compare the cost of services. 

Why is Silver Touch the best cloud service provider?

If you are searching for cloud consulting services, you are at the right place. Your organization is about to enter its cloud era with one of Canada’s leading SaaS and cloud service providers, Silver Touch Technologies Ltd. Equipped with several years of industry experience, we are always ready for a breakthrough.

Silver Touch Technologies provides an array of cloud management services, including but not limited to cloud infrastructure, data resilience, and application on the cloud. To start your journey, get in touch with our specialists today!

Case Studies: Examples of Successful Cloud-Managed Services Implementations 

Well-recognized brands like Shopify, Evertone, and Etsy have transitioned to the cloud to stay abreast with the changing tech trends. In this article, we will discuss one such case study of people's favorite on-demand audio platform, Spotify.

• Spotify's transition from bare metal to cloud:

• About Spotify: Established in 2006, it is a media services provider primarily focused on its audio-streaming platform. Here users search, listen to, and share music and podcasts.

• Objective: Spotify aims to become the "best music service in the world.” However, the enormous amount of data in their in-house data centers was difficult to provision and maintain. They also engaged the platform's engineers, who could not focus on innovation when handling massive quantities of data that were not serving the company's goals.

• Migration strategy: In 2015, Spotify decided to migrate to the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), hoping it would lessen disruptions in product development and diminish cost. Spotify invested two years in this, known as the pre-migration period. A dedicated Spotify/Google team was put in place who overlooked the whole transition. The whole process was divided into two parts- services and data. In the case of data migration, the teams were given a choice between fork lifting and data rewriting. As for the service part, engineering teams moved services to the cloud in focused two-week sprints, keeping aside product development. 

• Results: Spotify's on-premise to cloud migration was a success. It freed up the engineers who focused on innovation and product development thereon. 

  Read more: Best Cloud Computing Consulting Services for Your Business

Concluding remarks:

Cloud solution services are a pillar of modern, agile, and tech-driven organizations. It is increasingly becoming popular for all its benefits, such as real-time data access, a well-connected workforce, improved cyber security, and more. However, implementing cloud managed services is easier said than done. To maximize ROI, you must know and employ the best practices of cloud implementation. In this case, choosing the right service provider is essential. It is where experts at Silver Touch Technologies can help your organization achieve its digital transformation goals. 

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