It’s Not You, It’s Me: 10 Things to Consider in Your Cloud Vendor Relationship

Choosing a cloud based computing platform for your business can be a large undertaking with many things to think about.  One facet of this project that should be given a considerable amount of thought is your choice of cloud vendor.  In a recent article on CMS Wire, David Roe shares an extremely useful list of 10 things companies should consider before making an investment in cloud computing. 

1. True Multi-Tenancy

The term “multi-tenancy” refers to the idea that users are operating on the same cloud and using the same software version.  This is desirable because it means upgrades will occur simultaneously for all customers which frees the vendor up to focus time and energy on other aspects of service and support.  Multi-tenancy also ensures that no client will be left behind due to postponing an upgrade because of financial or other resource related constraints.

2. Regularly Vendor Managed Updates

Cloud application service providers should technically and financially manage the periodic updates and upgrades that will invariably occur several times each year.  This will allow the client to choose how and when to adopt the latest capabilities and save the client the burden of managing updates in-house.  This benefits both the vendor and the client as they are both able to take care of required tasks independent of each other’s timelines.

3. Integration on Demand

You should look for a cloud vendor that makes integration infrastructure and integration tools available, assists its customers with integrations, and develops a partnership in problem solving.  A desirable cloud vendor will not leave the client to fend for itself in integrating existing on-site and on-demand applications.  

4. Business-Driven Configurability

The applications in your cloud platform should be configurable to meet the needs and standards of your business processes.  Ease of configurability helps the client avoid expensive and resource consuming software customizations. 

5. Data Centers and Security

For obvious reasons, physical, network, application, and data-level security should be guaranteed by the cloud vendor you choose.  Your provider should also address full backup and disaster recovery.

6. High Performance IT Infrastructure

Cloud vendors should run their applications and services on the best and best performing technologies available, including data centers and databases, operating systems, and networks and storage systems.  By using this high performance IT infrastructure, clients will benefit from the most competitive and effective application and customer data management available. 

7. TCO Predictability

TCO, or Total Cost of Ownership, should be clearly defined by your cloud vendor with no hidden costs or unexpected fees.  Additionally, there should be no initial investments in hardware and software license fees with cloud applications.  The TCO should be thoroughly investigated to avoid costly surprises.

8. Faster Deployment

Part of the beauty of cloud computing is that on-site hardware and software installation is not required because that infrastructure is already in place with the vendor.  This translates to a short deployment time relative to the size of your company.  With cloud-based systems, once the processes and training are complete, you simply turn it on.

9. Data Control

Even though your data is located off premise with a cloud platform, the client should still have complete control of this data.  Any importing, exporting, purging, or archiving should be easily achieved with no cloud vendor intervention required. 

10. IT Liberation

Lastly, choosing a cloud-based system should allow your IT department and CIO focus on business goals rather than IT maintenance.   A successful cloud implementation will liberate and empower your IT department.

At The Vested Group, we strive to provide full-service implementation services. If you would like to hear about how The Vested Group addresses any of the items listed above, schedule an appointment to meet with us today!