Cloud consulting is taking the IT world by storm! That’s because almost every business is showing an interest in cloud computing and looking for a cloud consulting partner to steer them to success.
Consulting has always been a mainstay of most IT service providers, but what makes cloud consultants feature in the ‘most wanted’ lists? Can cloud consulting experts make a real difference in your organization’s cloud roadmap?
In this article, we will look at how cloud consulting service providers can help you navigate and expedite your cloud transformation.
Can You Move To The Cloud On Your Own?
Are you a large IT company employing cloud architecture experts, certified cloud engineers, administrators and other resources with cloud skills? If you answered yes, then you can make your cloud journey alone. If you answered no, then you are better off choosing a cloud consulting partner who can steer a clear path that leads to real results!
In-House vs Outsource: Why Opt For Cloud Consulting?
Let’s look at it this way. What is your goal?
A) Building your business
B) Moving to the cloud
C) Setting up a cloud expert panel
Most companies have just one aim – building their core business. Moving to the cloud is often one of the requirements to achieve that goal. Setting up a cloud expert panel is not your primary purpose unless you are in the cloud consulting business!
As more and more companies work with cloud technologies, the industry is growing so fast that resources with cloud skills are among the most-wanted IT resources in 2017. Most of the recent surveys show that cloud expertise is topping the list for most in-demand IT skills. Naturally, many small and mid-sized organizations and even large enterprises find it easier and smarter to partner with cloud consulting service providers.
How Can Cloud Consulting Experts Expedite Your Transformation?
While moving to the cloud, making a poor choice or overlooking something important could lead to loss of money and time. Many companies are slow to adopt cloud because they are frightened of the cloud, and for many reasons.
- They are nervous about losing control over their IT
- Businesses worry about security and data protection
- Contracts and hidden costs
To overcome this fear and help you make a smart move to the cloud, you need a cloud consulting partner. A partner who has the technical expertise, who can understand your requirements and migrate your business to the cloud without even a single glitch.
Typically, cloud consulting companies follow a step-by-step approach that includes the following:
- Identify your key cloud drivers
- Identify what cloud services are best for you
- Select the right cloud models and platforms
- Define a clear cloud strategy and roadmap
- Manage your cloud and achieve maximum cloud maturity
Cloud Consulting
1. Identify Your Key Cloud Drivers
To achieve the desired results, you should know what you desire to achieve. The first step is to determine your cloud drivers–i.e., understanding what is driving you to adopt cloud. This step is very crucial, but many organizations overlook this. Therefore their cloud initiatives are not always successful, and they just lose track of the cloud journey.
Some cloud drivers are:
A. Increasing IT agility
B. Improving efficiency and employee productivity
C. Growing your business using cloud computing technology
D. Reducing IT costs by adopting the subscription model of cloud services
E. Enhancing customer experience
It is important to identify what is driving you to the cloud model. Cloud consulting service providers can work with you and map your drivers to real cloud solutions.
2. Identify What Cloud Services Are Best For You
For every technology or business requirement, there is a cloud service (or more than one in some cases) that meets your needs. Knowing what is best for you can help you make better decisions and accomplish your cloud goals.
One of the primary objectives of cloud consulting is to map your requirements to cloud services. To make sure that every single detail is taken care of, you need cloud experts with years of experience in the industry. It is worth partnering with a reliable cloud consulting company than investing your time and resources into this daunting task!
3. Select The Right Cloud Models And Platforms
Choosing the right cloud computing service models (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS) and the best platforms is a job that is well done by cloud consultants. Should you move everything to the public cloud? What are the criteria driving you to invest in a private cloud? Is a hybrid cloud model better for your business? AWS or Azure, what’s best for your organization?
Cloud consulting service providers help you steer your way through the chaos and align your business with the right cloud model/platform.
4. Define A Clear Cloud Strategy And Roadmap
Before you leap to the cloud, it’s worth defining a cloud strategy and roadmap. Knowing your current business state and identifying the suitability of cloud computing technology is important before you embrace the cloud.
Cloud consulting services aim to capture your vision in a well-defined and documented cloud strategy and plan a clear roadmap. Having a clear implementation roadmap can help your business stay focused and complete the journey to cloud successfully.
Cloud consultants help you envision your cloud journey and enable your team to follow the right path.
5. Manage Your Cloud And Achieve Maximum Cloud Maturity
Your journey to the cloud doesn’t end when you have moved. The real test begins when you are “on the cloud.”
Apart from managing your cloud, you should also work heavily on organizational changes (cloud operating models, new policies and processes), train your staff and work towards reaching the highest cloud maturity.
Cloud consulting partners can help you establish best practices for cloud management and serve as an extension of your team. Your cloud management partner takes care of optimizing your cloud, managing your cloud costs and ensuring that you achieve 100% uptime. While they manage your cloud, you manage your business.
Now that you know how cloud consulting can help you expedite your cloud transformation and achieve success, you should start looking for a company that is committed to extraordinary service.
Move to the cloud with confidence, knowing that your partner has the cloud expertise and experience to ensure success. Our cloud consultants at DayDigital are just a phone call away from helping you take the big leap. Call us now for a free consultation and begin your cloud journey!
