Moving to the cloud is a necessary step for almost any business in today’s environment. Cloud storage is in many cases more cost-efficient, convenient, and easy to manage than on-site servers and other forms of hardware. Staples of the modern office like Dropbox, Google Drive, and more are all powered by the cloud. But cloud migration can be an extremely complicated process and a long-term project if not carried out efficiently. Here are some tips that might help you make the transition to a cloud-based solution a little easier.
Understand your existing infrastructure. Before you even begin migrating to the cloud, your team should have a clear, comprehensive idea of what they’re working with. It’s easy for files and servers to become overwhelming over the course of years. Evaluate how much data you have stored, how much you produce in your day-to-day operations, how its organized, and how much of it you actually need to store. In order to create a cloud solution that’s individualized to your business’s needs, you first have to understand what those needs are.
Consider automation tools. There are many services and tools on the market which can help automate the migration process in order to get migration done in a timely, cost-effective manner. The more complex your data needs are, the more necessary automation tools become. Many cloud service providers have automation tools of their own which are reliable and reduce some of the risks associated with migration.
Research your cloud service provider carefully. There are a number of cloud service providers on the market, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to your IT needs. While many providers offer versatile services, some may be better choices than others depending on your planned cloud architecture and data needs.
Prepare to back up your data. One concern many businesses express while moving to the cloud is making sure that all their critical data is secure and backed up. Many vendors offer services automating backup of cloud data, but you may want to adopt further measures for your most important information. You should also consider providing thorough training for your team to help them implement proper data management strategies.
These are only a few things to keep in mind as you begin your cloud migration journey. It can seem like an insurmountable hurdle at first, but your business will thank you down the line when you have access to the ease and efficiency of the cloud. But to get there as smoothly as possible, you need experts like Broadline in your corner to find the perfect solutions for you. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help your team.
