Avoid these 4 common cloud computing mistakes

The demand for cloud computing has increased exponentially in recent years. Enterprises all over the world are migrating to cloud servers and date as they realize the importance of having flexibility, scalability, and better-secured access to their data.

This has resulted in many organizations deciding to move to cloud with the help of their IT team. However, many businesses that make the switch to a cloud environment for the first time are bound to commit some mistakes. Let’s check out some of the common cloud computing mistakes that you should avoid.

1. Assuming a Disaster Recovery Solution Is Offered by Default

Some organizations assume that their cloud service provider already has some policies or processes in place to tackle disaster recovery and help them retrieve data in case of emergencies. This assumption may not always be true, and in an actual disaster you may be left with no idea about how to retrieve the data stored in the cloud.

It’s imperative for you to ensure that the disaster management and recovery procedures are established well in advance in collaboration with your cloud service provider before you take the plunge to the cloud model.

2. Lack of Clarity on Cloud SLAs

Without a complete understanding of the cloud Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with service providers you are left with insufficient or no information about which responsibilities with regards to the cloud, various privacy and security requirements, and the like the service provider is committing to.

This could easily spell disaster. Sooner or later you will realize that assumptions about the expected cloud services were not correct. For example, when the actual need to increase bandwidth arises you may not know how much time it takes for the service provider to fulfill this requirement. To avoid such a scenario, you need to have mutually agreed SLAs with your cloud service providers from the start.

3. Thinking All Local Apps Are Compatible with the Cloud

It’s not uncommon for an enterprise to move ahead with a cloud service provider and begin the transition to the cloud and realize at a later stage that some of the local business-essential applications users depend on are not compatible with the cloud.

In such scenarios you need to be prepared for certain modifications to the desktop versions of the apps in order to move them easily to the cloud. To avoid such surprises at a later stage you should share a list of all important local apps intended for transition to the cloud with your cloud service provider at the start. This way the service provider can give you a heads up about the changes required or use appropriate software to tackle compatibility requirements.

4. Not Considering the Expenses Associated with Additional Services

Small businesses that are introduced to a cloud model for the first time often plan only for storage costs while moving to the cloud. However, there is a chance that your estimated budgets will prove wrong due to costs related to additional services like automated data backup, credit card processing, reports processing of cloud data, and so forth. It is absolutely vital for any business to double-check and confirm the cloud cost considerations with your cloud service provider to avoid any unplanned costs later.