Choose the Right Cloud Service Provider: Top 8 Factors to Consider

How to choose the right cloud service provider?
Are you having the same question in mind? Do you want to know the factors that can help you choose the right cloud service provider? If the answer to these questions is yes, you have arrived at the right place.
We need to understand there’s no common framework for hiring a cloud service provider as every Cloud Service Provider (CSP) is different from the other.
The market is filled with different CSPs, and each provider (Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce, Google) is offering myriad services ranging that support business operation.
Amidst this confusion, one question remains answered, and it is, how do you select the right cloud provider?
The answer is simple, and it is by understanding the unique business needs and selecting the right cloud service provider through a defined selection process.

Types of Cloud Computing Services Delivery Models

Software as a Service (SaaS)

• EIM
• Incidents
• EHS
• Tasks
• Waste A SaaS provider is one that host and provides service through the internet. These services include technologies like CRM, HRM, Data Management Software, Productivity, etc.

Platform as a Service (SaaS)

• App Development
• Messaging
• Dashboard
• Integration In the PaaS infrastructure, users get to access & perform relevant functions that come under the software development process. Clouds have no control over their infrastructure in this model.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• Networking
• Security
• System Management
• Scalability In this model, the business gets delivered infrastructure components that are present in the on-premise data center.

8 Areas to Consider Before you Pick Cloud Service Provider
The following points will help you effectively choose the right Cloud Service Provider.
Certificates and Standard Recognition
Whenever you start your hunt to choose the right cloud partner make sure they comply with recognized industry standards & quality framework and follow best practices. It will be a start, and you can shortlist the potential providers.
Some of the standards and certifications that you can look for in a provider include DMTF, ISO, NIST, OASIS, IEEE, IETF, SNIA, etc.
Services & Technologies
The harmony between your business objective, the cloud environment, and the technologies & services offered by the provider is a must. Make sure the workloads and management preferences are well suited to the architectures, services, and standards followed by the provider.
Before you hire a cloud solution consulting provider, identify the level of re-coding or customization required to make the workload suitable.
Along with this, you should also ask your CSP about their service development roadmap. Understand their thinking and see if their roadmap fits with your business requirements in the long run.
If you are looking for SaaS service providers, you should consider features, services and integration roadmap before the final decision.
Data Management & Data Security
Let’s first talk about data management. Data is the new oil, and its management is crucial for business. Make sure your tentative cloud service provider remains transparent about their data center locations. The location where your data gets stored, processed, and managed plays a crucial role in the selection of CSP. Make sure they provide you with the choice & control of your data that meets your requirements and obligations.
Data Security is also a highly important factor to choose the right cloud service consulting provider.
Thoroughly analyze their data & system security level, the maturity of security operations, and also their security governance processes. Make sure the provider has the information security control as per your business security policies and procedures.
You can also ask your CSPs for security audit reports, evidence of remedial actions and the incident reports for the project on which they have worked previously.

Partnerships and Service Dependencies
Almost every business wants perfect and prompt service and seeks values worth invested money. Therefore, it becomes essential to analyze CSPs availability, capacity, response time, and support services.
A business must have Cloud Service Level Agreements a.k.a SLAs with the service provider. It helps in establishing transparent contractual relationships with them. Compliance with the GDPR regulations, explicit clarification on the code of practice, and service dependencies are some of the other important factors to consider before selecting the right Cloud Service Provider.

Service Delivery
All the points should be properly mentioned in an agreement in terms of services and deliverables. Have a proper understanding of the roles and responsibilities related to the services along with their distribution between the service provider and service takers.
Service definition, roles & responsibilities, service management, service availability, and DR & service continuity are some of the most important factors that make a successful service delivery.

Contracts and SLAs
There are still many cloud providers who are using unnecessary complex and technical jargon-centric contracts that could be misleading and don’t help businesses make a fair decision.
Never ignore complex terms and conditions. Always ask your CSPs to offer resilient terms and also understand the way they will support the offered flexibilities.
The following are key factors to consider while making contracts.

Data Assurance

• Data Management
• Data Conversion
• Data Security, and
• Ownership and Use Rights

Business Terms

• Insurance
• Publicity
• Operational Reviews
• Fees and Commercial Terms, and
• Business Policies

Legal Protection

• Warranties
• Intellectual Property
• Indemnification, and
• Limitation of Liability

Disaster Backup and Data Recovery
CRM solutions such as Salesforce consulting services have a provision for data recovery. Businesses with cloud service platforms do not have to worry about data loss or theft. Cloud technology keeps data secured in a highly encrypted environment. It keeps data safe from all types of disasters, such as natural disasters, power failure, etc.
A trustworthy cloud service provider assures its customers a strong protection of their information from all sorts of unforeseen natural & man-made threats.
Whenever you hire a Cloud service provider, rest assured for their data backup and recovery capabilities.

Cost
Last but definitely not the least. This factor is imperative to consider while selecting the right cloud service provider. The cost factor plays a crucial role when it comes to making a business decision.
There are different kinds of cloud service providers in the market, do not fall for the tempting low-cost solutions. Low cost seems to be a great deal, but the chances of deception are high in such cases.
It does not mean that you should avoid considering low-cost cloud services. Just be vigilant to not fall in the prey of any scam.
There are majorly three different kinds of cost models which you can choose. These models are –

• Pay as you Go –
  In this module, you have to pay for the size of the data storage space used. There is no obligation to pay the upfront cost.

• Reserved –
  You can buy definite cloud space and keep it as a reserve storage space for a particular time. There will be an upfront cost for this module.

• Volume Discounts –
  The same cloud service provider offers you different services as per your business requirements. As your business grows, the number of services also increases.

Criteria to Ensure You Select The Right Cloud Service Provider – Bonus Points

• Assess technical & operational capabilities
• Migration support, vendor lock-in, and exit planning
• Performance and reliability
• Service delivery
• Data policies and protection
• Business terms
• Legal protections
• Service level agreements
• Cloud commercials
• Service dependencies
• Subcontractors & service dependencies

Conclusion
In this post, we have included all the important factors. You, as a business should consider the above discussed factors before choosing the right cloud service provider. We suggest you validate both certifications and standards that the cloud service provider offers. Always establish workable SLAs & contractual terms.
If you have any doubt related to any of the discussed points, you hire a good cloud service provider, and their professional guidance will help you through the process ranging from cloud service selection to deployment.