The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much of the world around us, including the way that businesses operate. Indeed, managed services, particularly for the cloud, have now become the centrepiece of the post-pandemic normal for business operations. In most cases, it is simply not feasible for a company to manage all of its own IT functions, if any. This is the role of the managed cloud – allowing companies to trust a partner like Smart Technologies Ltd. (STL) with its IT requirements.
If you are capable of taking on the task of managing your own infrastructure, you could opt for an unmanaged cloud. However, this would require hiring specialized engineers, among other hidden costs and time-consuming steps.
Most companies find it much easier and cost-efficient to partner with a managed cloud computing services provider, where they trust the partner with its IT requirements, therefore enabling them to focus on the normal functioning and growth of their business.
So, what are the benefits and disadvantages of managed cloud computing?
What exactly is managed cloud computing?
Cloud computing allows a business to access various computing services on demand, including software, storage, and databases. However, configuring your own cloud takes a lot of resources, expertise and time – which is where managed clouds come in. A managed cloud means that your company can benefit from all the advantages of cloud computing even if you know very little about cloud design and infrastructure.
Therefore, managed cloud computing services are services that offer partial or complete management of your cloud resources or infrastructure. Here at STL, management responsibilities include infrastructure management, software, deployment and testing, data management, as well as consistent support and monitoring. These services are designed to enable you to maximize the benefits of cloud services while minimizing internal time and costs. Thereby, you will have more time to focus on your main business activities, meet your deadlines, and your overall business goals.
Key considerations when choosing a service provider
So, what should you look for when trying to find a managed services provider?
Skills and expertise
Firstly, you should look for and ask about skills and expertise. Your provider needs to be familiar with the cloud services you intend to use as well as your business operations. This means understanding industry best practices, knowing how to integrate any critical tooling or applications you have, and being able to adapt or optimize your workflows for cloud resources.
Our reputation here at STL has been primarily built on our ability to listen, approach each assignment with an open mind, and advise accordingly. We can provide you with technical advice on how best to go about your needs for managed cloud services, and follow up with the required project management and implementation. Furthermore, our team is made up of experts whose accumulated years of experience they bring to the table give them a strong business orientation.
Transparency and control
To rely on a service provider to manage your cloud resources requires a lot of trust. Keep in mind that your provider will generally have access to all of your data, and the functionality of your cloud may depend entirely on them. Therefore, it’s important to choose a provider who is transparent about how your services are handled.
STL’s clients routinely praise our expertise and efficiency, underlining their satisfaction with our products and particularly the service provided by our people. Our service is underlined by reliability, speed in addressing queries, and flexibility. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask questions about how we do things – we are here to put your mind at ease and handle your digital transformation for you.
Ultimately, opting for managed cloud computing will change the face of our company for good, leaving you with more time and capital to focus on what really matters to you. For more information about our services, feel free to contact us for a FREE consultation.