Four Important Structures to have in Place Before UC Cloud Migration
Most people are quick to inform you about the benefits of using cloud storage but they never guide you on the hectic task of migrating. Well, it’s a good thing we’re not most people. If we would advise you, we sure are going to give you the necessary guidance you need to successfully migrate to cloud computing.
The truth is, moving to cloud storage is initially very tasking. You need good preparation, planning, strategy, and extensive research. After the challenge, all you get is the added benefits that come with cloud computing.
So, how do you successfully migrate your business to cloud storage without risking all your data? If you don’t mind, we have structured the process into four major steps. With this, you don’t get to miss any important detail. Let’s break it down, shall we?
1. Infrastructure
The research needed before cloud storage migration is no joke. You have to look at how the cloud system you’re choosing operates, how good their service is (QoS), the security of your data and the disaster recovery in place. Let’s explain further, shall we?
Operation
When trying to migrate, don’t go in with the mindset that all cloud systems function in the same way. Most do, but some offer more beneficial services than you expect. Consider all your options and look for those that offer all the services you’re in need of.
Services
Asides the mode of operation of the cloud carrier, the quality of services also differ. This is a very important criterion to observe before choosing a cloud storage provider. The speed of your internet service and call quality depends on the technology the cloud provider adopts. A quick tip is to look for a carrier that uses SD-WAN technology. It translates to the best quality service.
Security
One of the reasons people migrate from the in-house solution to cloud storage is for data security. You have to make sure you’re going for a provider that provides safety compliance on your data during transfer. To ensure this, look for the cloud vendors that offer data encryption or Person Identification (PII) on your data.
Disaster Recovery
Recovering your data from the cloud after a system malfunction is very important. After your migration, the maintenance of your data is totally the job of the vendor. This means that your data backup is no longer in your control. If you have to give up all control, at least choose a provider you trust to back up your data properly.
There are some cloud storage providers that back up your data in different locations in case of disaster. Asides looking for providers with this option, it is also advisable to look for those who offer an automatic switch to these data centers.
2. Technology
How technically advanced is the provider you’re choosing? How is their software designed? What features does the software offer? Does the software allow for unified communication? Does it offer a single user or multi-user option? How is their service structured? Who handles your calls? How fast is the service of the software? How fast can you handle operations?
These are questions that have to be answered to your taste before finally choosing the cloud service provider. If you don’t critically analyze their software, you may have no choice but to deal with the disadvantages later. Some software features you should test in comparison to others are;
It wouldn’t hurt to look at these features and see if it works well. During this process, involve your employees and see how it really works.
3. Implementation
You have done your research and analysis, now it is time to really migrate to your chosen system, how does it go? Who does the work? You or your service provider? Do you have a proof of concept? Who handles your numbers? Who are the users of the system? Would they understand the concept? Would they optimize it?
You have to answer these questions before making that final decision. You don’t want chaos in your organization after the final decision. Put some test runs in place. This is where your proof of concept would be useful. It is totally possible to get one from your provider. If it would help you make that final decision, they should provide one.
When everything is to your satisfaction, you can safely migrate.
4. Supportability
After migration what next? How is the system run from the other end? How in control are you? When in help who do you contact? How responsive is the support team? How long does it take to get a response from support? Do you get constant status reports? How about system maintenance? The biggest mistake people make is to jump in without first looking at the ‘after’.
Although most cloud providers offer some kind of after support, you have to consider the best. You don’t want one that would hinder your operations. There are limitations to some cloud service providers and you have to recognize them to know if you’re okay with them. For example, some carriers don’t let you add new users without their approval. Are you okay with this because of the security factor or would it hinder your process?
You have to consider these factors before heading full time.
When choosing a cloud support provider, you’re not only choosing a storage system but a trusted partner. Trusting a system to hold all your classified data is a big deal and you have to make a careful decision. We have provided you with the four structures that would help you make a smooth transition without regret. If you follow them respectively, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have a ride without any hitches.
What do you say? Why not try these steps out and see for yourself that we’re truly here for your services. Don’t forget to give us accounts on your migration experience.
Originally published at https://nextplane.net on November 25, 2019.
