One of the fastest-growing segments of the IT industry is cloud computing. Business leaders and directors worldwide have begun to see the benefits cloud computing offers on nearly every level of business infrastructure. However, it’s easy to get lost in the zeitgeist of the cloud era and sign up for services that you don’t need or to pay extra for services you use without realizing it. Implementing the right cloud technology at the right price is the key to optimizing your efficiency as a business. Managing Cloud Computing Costs is something you can plan for.
Common Mistakes Companies Make With Cloud Computing
When business executives decide to transition to cloud computing, they are likely to make a few common mistakes. These are not major missteps, but they will cost you in the long run, so it’s worth paying attention and avoiding them:
- Falling for the upsell from a cloud provider: Cloud service providers heavily rely on their sales pitch to attract new clients. Consequently, you can easily find yourself signing up for services you don’t need. There are three major types of cloud computing services: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Each of these serves specific needs; you should be familiar with yours before subscribing to one or more.
- Starting by prioritizing the update of legacy processes: It’s better to commence your journey into cloud computing with a cloud-first mindset. This means beginning with new projects and revisiting the old processes you need to update later. If you start by updating old processes, you risk getting more (or less) than you bargained for.
- Buying features without conducting a pilot test: While features like elasticity, high availability, or multiple architectures may sound like they can increase productivity and boost your bottom line, it’s challenging to determine their actual impact until you try them out. It’s advisable to work with a cloud provider that offers measured services and comes highly recommended, so you can gain a clear understanding of how helpful these features are.
Knowing What Cloud Services You Need
To succeed in implementing cost-effective cloud computing services, you need to understand which features are essential and which ones you can do without. Conducting research on various offers from cloud providers and comparing their services is crucial in making the right choice in this scenario. Pay close attention to your productivity when pilot-testing new features.
The most critical aspect of any feature you add to your cloud service is its value. Ask yourself whether the feature in question generates more value than its cost. You might be surprised to find that what you believed would lead to greater efficiency ends up costing more money in the long run. Some of your processes may generate more value when implemented on-site, but only your bottom line can determine whether that’s the case.