How to Pick the Right Cloud Provider

Been thinking about what cloud storage provider is the best for your business? After all, there are so many providers to choose from. Some offer more storage for lower prices than others. Some allow for the flexibility of storing files on various platforms and devices. So how does one know which one is right for their business?

It is necessary to examine the different available options in the market and see how they would support unique business characteristics and objectives. Essential factors to take into consideration during this process are:

Security

When it comes to the cloud, security should be a top concern. Ask detailed and explicit questions about the software’s use cases, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and any other problems one may have. While comparing cloud-computing providers, keep in mind their security measures and the mechanisms they use to preserve applications and data.

Cloud Architecture

When choosing a cloud provider, keep in mind how the architecture will fit into the daily workflow now and in the future. When it comes to storage, most major vendors offer similar storage architectures and multiple types of storage to fit different needs, but they have varied types of archival storage. If this is important, understand the nuances between them. Each service has options for storing frequently accessed data vs. less often used data (hot vs. cool storage). Cool storage is usually less expensive but comes with various restrictions.

Ease of Management

While investigating cloud platforms, take some time to think about how much effort you’re willing to put into managing the system. Each of the services supports different orchestration tools and integrates with various other services. It is essential to determine how much time and effort the team will take to manage multiple aspects of the cloud infrastructure before making a final decision.

Service Costs

When choosing a cloud service provider, look at both sticker price and associated costs (including the expenses you will incur with personnel that may need to be hired to manage the services).

Customer Support

Support is another critical consideration. Some cloud providers offer only chat services or call centers, while others may provide full-time access to dedicated staff. Make sure to ask questions about the level and form of support one will have access to before deciding which provider to use.