The debate of what cloud computing means has been going on for quite some time now, but the idea remains that cloud computing is a form of traditional hosting services. Is cloud computing a radically different model of computing? – it is not. This applies to on-demand services that are paid for in the utility model. The billing for cloud computing services is based on consumption. The business model is similar to the utility, the rental car, or the hotel industry, where consumers do not own any of the infrastructure (power/cars/rooms) and only pay for the services they use each month. Cloud computing resources are available on request in the same way as the examples mentioned.
Ensuring that a cloud service provider provides the kind of service characteristics that your company needs to run is vital to transition IT services to the cloud successfully. When assessing a cloud service provider, look for the following features to ensure you make the correct choice.
Support service is a crucial field that is frequently ignored when reviewing service providers; it remains a vital feature of any assistance. It is essential for companies that conduct business around the world or have time-critical interactions with customers or prospects to contact help in real-time via a call or IM at any time of day. Additionally, as businesses become more mobile and staff is more dispersed to remote locations, the service provider’s capacity to provide 24/7 support in real-time is becoming even more critical. Seek out service providers that can provide real-time assistance 24/7.
But more than that, cloud services must be built on a strong foundation of characteristics such as the following:
- Self-service on Demand
- Wide access to Network
- Effective pooling of resources
- Rapid elasticity
- Measure Operation & Services
What do these characteristics imply?
- Cloud computing from the developer’s point of view allows you to flexibly deliver digital content, applications, and services to any computer, anywhere, in a seamlessly scalable model, using and charging for only the resources you need when you need them.
- Cloud computing allows companies to free themselves from the need to purchase and distribute costly hardware, software, and networking resources from an IT standpoint or hire large teams to maintain and support infrastructure.
- Cloud computing allows providers to serve businesses of all sizes, notably SMBs, from a business perspective.
Final Thoughts
Cloud services such as IBM iSeries hosting are a technological evolution. The transition to a cloud service is not smooth, and moving multiple services simultaneously can be catastrophic if not properly planned. It is essential to understand these seven service-provider attributes and determine the minimum levels your business needs to run. Through keeping accountable cloud service providers and not sacrificing on these seven attributes, companies can take their IT to the next level while saving on opex and capex costs.