IT Service Management for Cloud Environments
Cloud computing is a must for a business to be successful today. However, many companies have yet to fully migrate their operations to the cloud or have difficulties managing their cloud environments. New technology can be a challenge to handle on your own, especially if your IT team has more senior members who are accustomed to more traditional computing environments. IT managed service providers can help you migrate to the cloud and optimize its use for your business.
IT Managed Services Facilitate Cloud Migration
If you have yet to move your operations into the cloud, it can be tricky to figure out where to start. There are dozens of options now, including specialized tools for specific industries. A cloud expert can assess your situation and determine which programs would be best for your business. There are some basic tools that can be quickly implemented in any company, like Microsoft 365 for daily work tasks or SalesForce for customer relationship management.
Other systems may take more time to set up. If you have your own programs for client-facing services, for example an online store where clients can create an account or a mobile app, these will need to be placed into a cloud environment and tested carefully. Working with experts in cloud computing will help you minimize the time to deployment and reduce errors along the way. Many deployments take longer than anticipated because of a lack of proper support.
Cloud Cybersecurity Services
Moving to the cloud has implications for your company’s cybersecurity. Although the cloud improves productivity by giving your team access to your data from any device, this same feature means that it’s possible for attackers to access your data from across the world. Nevertheless, most of these attacks can be prevented by taking proper security precautions. An IT managed service provider can help you implement the best tools for cybersecurity in your cloud environment.
AI-driven software can run in your cloud environment and monitor both your network traffic and file system. These programs detect patterns in cloud activity based on your daily business operations. With that established pattern in mind, the software can spot unusual activity and stop it before it leads to a data breach. Similarly, we can help you configure two-factor authentication methods to ensure that if one of your associate’s accounts is compromised, criminals won’t be able to access your data.
Cloud Data Management
Whether you’re new to the cloud or have already been using it to some extent, a long-term goal should be to have business analytics tools implemented in your company. These tools harvest data from your operations, whether supplied manually by data analysts or automatically from other cloud applications and process the data to derive insights about your business. These insights can be extremely useful for planning and decision-making. However, good data management is essential for high-quality output.
Managing data in the cloud means adopting different working practices. In a traditional environment, each individual may have storage on a server or on a local computer, leading to multiple copies of files or old versions of works in progress. This can mislead business intelligence systems as they can interpret these files as unique items instead of redundant duplicates. Cloud-based file management software can automatically clean up data and ensure everyone is working from the right files.
Cloud Resource Management
Cloud services work differently from traditional applications. In a traditional environment, most software is licensed to the computers on site, and companies pay per device. However, since the cloud allows people to access your system from any device, most licenses are based on the number of users in the company. Therefore, it’s important to analyze who will need access to each system you implement. Experts can analyze your processes and help you determine where to allocate your licenses.
Cloud systems use data centers to process your operations and store data. These systems use a pay-as-you-go model that can scale instantly. If you suddenly need to perform more computing operations in the cloud, you’ll be able to, but you’ll pay more for the extra activity. Likewise, if you need more data storage, simply use it, and you’ll be billed. However, this also means you’ll want to be mindful of how you use the cloud to avoid surprise bills.
Managed Service Providers Can Train Your Associates
Simply migrating to the cloud doesn’t automatically mean major productivity gains. Associates need to know how to take advantage of the cloud to save time. Similarly, security training is also essential. Human error is the root cause of most cybersecurity incidents. Even with the right tools in place, mistakes can create vulnerabilities. Preparation and practice are necessary to prevent accidents and preserve your company’s reputation. A well-prepared team can also respond faster and limit the damage from an attack.
Cloud experts can provide training to your team to improve their awareness of security risks and practice security drills to put your response plans into action. We can also help less tech-savvy teams to get better at using new cloud software to ensure your transition goes smoothly and results in the return on investment you hope for. Training can be personalized for different departments or work groups to make sure it’s relevant and productive for the team.
Keep Up with Latest Cloud Technology Developments
Cloud technology is advancing at a rapid pace. It wasn’t long ago that the cloud was a luxury for large enterprises. Today, it’s possible for even the smallest startup to operate from the cloud completely. Expect the technology to continue to evolve. Already, we’re seeing a great deal of cloud-based artificial intelligence systems enter the market. Companies need to keep an eye on these developments so they can be first in line and gain a competitive advantage.
Working with an experienced IT managed service provider will help you stay ahead of the competition and use your cloud systems to the fullest. Contact Edafio to learn how we can help you make the most of your investment in the cloud.
