Tips for Choosing the Right Cloud Provider

In life, it's easy to get caught up quickly in the excitement of a new material possession, such as a new car or gadget. Yet how many times have you thought you found the perfect item only to see something better a week or maybe even a month later? This kind of "consumer regret" happens all of the time, especially in a consumer-driven society that's ever changing.

A friend of mine recently experienced consumer regret with an Apple product. They went shopping for an iPhone last August and failed miserably with the purchase. Had my friend waited a few months, they could have had the new iPhone 4s for the same price they paid for the iPhone 4. At first they blamed the salesperson for their lack of information, but then finally came to their senses and realized that they should be upset with themselves for not asking or better researching their purchase. Had they done some research before they went shopping, they could have waited and had the newest version for the same price. That's not the end of the story; when they saw the iPhone 4 on sale for less than $100 dollars around Christmas, they felt very embarrassed about their purchase.

Okay, I'll admit it. This story is not about a friend - it was actually about me. The lesson I learned from all of this: do your research first! The same goes for choosing a cloud provider.

When choosing a cloud provider, take your time and become familiar with more than one provider. It's sort of like dating. Very rarely does someone marry the first person they go out with, and so should it be when choosing a cloud provider. If you are choosing a data center close to your business, then schedule a tour of the facility. I would recommend touring at least three centers if possible. Meet the staff members and see where your data and equipment will be stored. Take note of the security measures each facility offers. After all, not all data centers are created equal, and they all do not offer the same services.

Also realize that unlike marriage, choosing a data center is not a lifelong commitment. Should you need to change providers in the future due to a price hike, or anything else, this will be more easily obtainable if you choose to use an application programming interface (API's) that is common across a variety of providers.

Additionally, it is absolutely important that you not only take the time to figure out what your current needs are, but also take into consideration what your future needs are going to be. Since data growth is inevitable, try and map out how much storage space you are going to need in the future. Once you have a good idea of your needs, then you can take that research and go shopping for a cloud provider.

When it comes to choosing a cloud provider, doing your research first will save you a lot of heartache and "consumer regret" in the future. Unlike my iPhone fiasco, do your research first. Don't jump the gun and sign up with a cloud provider before touring their facility if all possible. Make sure that you choose an API that is compatible across several providers just in case you need to change to a different provider in the future. Lastly, have a clear understanding of your present data storage needs, and map out your future storage needs. These helpful tips should come in handy when moving your data to the every growing cloud.

Sarah Pollock works as a Marketing Writing Coordinator for Global Communications Group, Inc. (GCG). We offer independent and unbiased data center consulting and data center facility tours to ensure that you find the right data center facility. Are you searching for the best data center service provider to support your business hosting and networking needs? At GCG, we represent all of the major data center service providers in the US and abroad. Data center solutions include colocation hosting, dedicated server hosting and networking services. Learn more about data center locations by visiting our brand new website: http://www.datacentermapping.com/

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3 Reasons To Move to The Cloud

Are you considering a move to the cloud? You probably need some reasons to undertake this change and to be happy with the decision that you have made.

Cloud computing services are delivered at a lower price, offering flexibility, scalability and easy management. The fact that you will also minimize hardware purchases is another benefit.

Here are three important reasons that will encourage you to move to the cloud.

More Efficient Cost Management

Although the price of a service should never be the determining factor when choosing, it can affect the final decision. Cloud computing is much less expensive than relying on the traditional type of computing.

The first aspect of cost minimization is the diminished need to own hardware. Cloud services are provided over the internet. The only equipment that you will need to access such services are computers and an internet connection.

You will be paying only for the services that you currently demand. Traditional software packages will often contain too many additional applications that companies refrain from using. These applications bring up the cost without adding anything to the user experience. In the case of cloud computing, what you pay for it what you get.

The Most Flexible Computing Option

Cloud computing is the wave of the future. It provides convenience, flexibility and a practical dimension that traditional computing lacks.

Companies that move to the cloud can easily modify the services that they are using. Changes may be needed whenever the company expands or in the case of additional computing requirements.

You are also going to experience a lot of flexibility in terms of the services that you are using and paying for. There are dozens of combinations to choose from that are unavailable in traditional computing.

Mobility

A final very important reason that will make you eager to move to the cloud is the mobility that comes with it.

The cloud service you are using will be available in the office, at home and during a business trip. It has no connection to your workplace. The only thing that you need in order to access the service is internet.

Cloud computing is the best option for people that are working from multiple locations and for the ones that do business travel connected to presentations and specific corporate operations. The service is limitless and it can be used on any computer or personal device that has internet connection.

This trend is exceptionally important because increasing numbers of professionals are discovering the advantages of working from multiple locations and being flexible. Mobility is yet another reason for the popularity that cloud computing is likely to gain in the future.

Cloud computing is an innovation that some people are uncertain of. Still, it comes with numerous benefits and characteristics that cannot be accessed in any other way. The flexible nature of cloud computing makes a move to this kind of service 100 percent worth it.

Mandy H. Smith is an IT security auditor and had performed a number of NERC compliance audits for major corporations. When she's not making sure that companies are NERC compliant she is biking and reading books.

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