Companies have been urged to shift their IT assets over to the cloud for years now, and there are lots of benefits that come with taking the leap.
However, it’s also wise to be aware of the struggles that are also involved, so let’s look at the main problems that could come your way during cloud adoption.
Security
The benefit of keeping mission-critical data on-site is that it puts you in the driving seat when it comes to security.
Switching to the cloud means giving a third-party provider responsibility for sensitive info, and also for handling matters like compliance.
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This is why a hybrid cloud setup is often preferred, giving you a way to leverage the cloud while still maintaining the required levels of security.
Cost
It’s possible to make savings by migrating to the cloud, but there are upfront expenses to bear as well. These come from the need to train employees in the use of your new resources, the need to upgrade network connectivity to encompass the increased traffic, and the ongoing expense of subscription to third-party services.
You need to manage your IT budget carefully to ensure that you’re not sideswiped by any costs incurred during adoption.
Compatibility
The interoperability of different hardware and software configurations has always been a talking point, and in the cloud you can’t just assume that every tool, platform, and service will be compatible with the rest of your stack.
There are ways to tackle the compatibility issue, so bringing yourself up to speed before you migrate is sensible.
Complexity
Cloud migration can make your IT setup more complex, especially if internal and remote resources are involved.
It pays to have local experts on hand to help, such as IT support based in San Diego. That way you can call for assistance and advice if something goes awry post-migration.
Commitment
The cloud is praised for its flexibility, but that can come crashing down if you realize that you’re locked into a deal with a single vendor that you can’t wriggle out of even if it becomes obvious the package isn’t the right fit for your business.
Checking terms and conditions carefully before committing is key if you don’t want to fall foul of overly restrictive cloud service agreements.
Outages
When you become reliant on the cloud, you’re beholden to more forms of productivity-decimating unplanned downtime. This can occur if the provider has issues at their end, or if your own network connection is compromised.
You need to plan for such outages and look for minimum guaranteed levels of uptime advertised by reputable providers to ensure you’re happy with what’s on offer.
Reluctance to adopt
This is more of an ideological issue than a technical one, but nevertheless you need to consider it when you broach the topic of cloud migration.
From top-level decision makers to entry-level employees, you can expect that there will be a degree of resistance to adopting cloud services. This is part of human nature, as we prefer the familiar to the unusual, even if the latter is far better for us.
Making sure that you pitch cloud products and the benefits of migrating clearly will earn you the support you need.
The bottom line
Making a major change to any of your business systems is never a walk in the park, and the cloud has its downs as well as its ups. But being empowered by understanding what obstacles lie ahead is better than not looking for them in the first place, until it’s too late.
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