Seattle Cloud Computing Solutions and Consulting

Do you feel lost in the cloud? Not sure if it's right for your business. Do you have concerns about data security and compliance? Are you looking to take flight but not sure which solution to choose? Or perhaps you are wondering what the pros and cons are between on-premise and cloud solutions?

We've got the answers and are here to help!

By now you've heard all the buzz about cloud computing and undoubtedly have been approached by various cloud service providers to take the plunge. Cloud solutions have many benefits and can be a very valuable solution for the small and mid-size (SMB) market. Still, business owners may find themselves wondering, "Is this something I should consider?"

Cloud-based software solutions versus on-premise is an attractive proposition for SMBs seeking to make the most of the technology available today at lower costs and lower risk. The upfront investment is low, they do not need to invest in software / hardware, licensing and renewal costs are kept to a minimum, total cost of ownership is reduced, and they only pay for what they use.

Furthermore, it guards against obsolescence and transfers typical ownership risks and responsibilities - such as maintenance, management, and upgrades - from the buyer to the seller. While many companies remain concerned about security, systems' redundancy, functionality, and who has access to their data in the Cloud, the cost benefits very often outweigh these considerations.

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Cost savings in moving to the cloud are great-sometimes. But a lot depends on the details. To ensure you don't regret your company's ascent into the clouds, here are some key questions to bear in mind.

Nine questions to ask before trusting your company's data or computing tasks to an outside provider.

1. What if your bill doesn't get paid? Will all your data be deleted abruptly if the check gets lost in the mail?

2. What if you choose to discontinue the service? Does your vendor allow you to retain ownership of your data? If you aren't satisfied with the cloud, are you able to migrate your data from that service and how? What will be the cost involved with the migration?

3. Who will have access to my data? Find out exactly who will have access to your data. Certain industries fall under data privacy regulations that may make the cloud inappropriate.

4. Will the Regulators Approve? You are responsible for the security and integrity of your data - even when it's in someone else's hands. Ask the service provider what their process is for ensuring your data is safe and meets your compliance needs.

5. Where Will My Data Be? Find out exactly where your data will be stored. If you're not diligent, it could wind up in a data center in a country where laws may affect your operations in unexpected ways.

6. How Will It Be Brought Back? If the data center goes out, where is the backup or backups? What redundant sources of storage and networking are being employed?

7. What percentage of downtime can be expected for scheduled maintenance and upgrades? This is a must-ask question for every organization considering cloud software and hosting, along with data availability/access.

8. How does the provider communicate maintenance notices, outage issues, or fixes? Know upfront how your cloud provider will locate you should the system be down, and what forms of communication will be used: email, phone, web, mobile, or all.

9. What If Your Service Provider Goes Out of Business? How will you get your data from the service provider? Will they cover any migration costs. Find out if there is a plan in place and get it in writing.

Whether you are ready to trust your data to the cloud or not is something only you and your I.T. team or advisor can decide. Regardless if your data is stored locally or online, it is always critical to maintain regular backups. A combination of on-site, off-site, and online data backup services should be considered as part of a comprehensive data backup and recovery plan. If your business relies on data, the life of your business may depend on it!

Contact us today so we can help you choose and implement the cloud computing services that best fit your company's needs and budget.

We look forward to hearing from you!  (425) 787-0193 or (866) 578-6220  Consultation Request