Difficulties You May Face When Transferring To Cloud Computing

If you own or operate a data center, you may be considering transferring to the cloud. Transferring to the cloud is not only a way to remain competitive within your industry, but can help streamline many of your daily responsibilities. While transferring to the cloud has many advantages, much thought and preparation needs to be put into place to prepare for the transfer. Below are some of the main issues data center owners and operators face when transferring to cloud computing.

New Investments

When narrowing down which cloud company to select, you want to ensure that you understand what financial investments you will be required to take on. This often includes an initial startup-fee, as well as monthly-fees. However, it is important to know what additional fees you may incur down the road as you continue to rely more heavily on the cloud. You also need to consider if your current system is compatible with the company you are considering, and if you need will to invest in a new system or software.

New Security Concerns

While there are constant security concerns when managing a data center, you need to revise your plan for keeping your data secure when transferring to the cloud. You may be used to being the primary source for managing your security, but much of your security may now be in the hands of your cloud provider. Ensure that your data is safe and secure by doing your research on the company you are considering. Then, check back frequently to ensure they are using the most up-to-date methods for security.

Data Transfer

As with any new system or procedure, there time must be invested in proper implementation. When transferring to cloud computing, you will need to carve out a significant amount of time to allow for the transfer all data. In most cases, this needs to occur in a relatively quick timeframe to limit confusion as to what data is being stored where. You may choose to organize and transfer your data in phases to ease the process. If you choose to transfer your data in phases, make sure that your team members have an updated transfer schedule.

Maintaining Growth Requirements

When you store data, you need to consider the bandwidth required to best meet your needs. Without the proper bandwidth, your productivity will decrease and it may take time to re-negotiate your new needs. Also, keep in mind whether any new systems you are considering investing in are compatible with the cloud system you select. This is sometimes difficult to determine until you transfer your data, so you will need to devise a plan for measuring success.

While there are many challenges that surface when converting to cloud computing, there are also significant advantages. Your information becomes easier to access for those who need it most, and the cloud offers a multitude of time-saving advantages. There is an initial expense to transferring to the cloud, but time is money, and the transfer often pays itself back within a matter of months.