Why You Still Need Your MSP When You Move to the Cloud
The first person to draw a cloud to represent the Internet in a network diagram probably had no idea the concept would come to represent a new way of thinking about computing. Today the “cloud” has been adopted by the vast majority of organizations, although many are a bit fuzzy as to what’s going on inside that fluffy symbol. That’s why a managed services provider (MSP) such as IronLogix can be an invaluable ally in your move to the cloud.
Cloud computing is not a mystery, but cloud adoption can be complex. Few organizations feel confident making strategic decisions regarding cloud deployments. It’s not uncommon for organizations to choose the wrong cloud services, or wind up paying too much for services or options they don’t really need. The security of cloud applications and data is also a significant concern.
In addition, organizations are recognizing that they will still need strong IT management, maintenance and support even if part of the infrastructure is in the public cloud. IronLogix can help organizations prepare for and embrace the cloud in a way that drives maximum value.
Cloud Benefits and Drawbacks
Cloud computing offers organizations a number of benefits, including increased agility and faster time-to-value.It is ideally suited to small to midsize businesses (SMBs) that hesitate to tie up capital in IT infrastructure. SMBs in a growth dynamic can leverage the cloud to scale IT capacity on demand to meet changing needs, and introduce new services rapidly to take advantage of new opportunities.
The cloud isn’t right for certain applications, however, particularly those that require heavy computing power, network bandwidth and transaction processing. Furthermore, the cloud may not be the best choice if application performance and reliability are critical, or if there are security and regulatory concerns.
There is a limited set of circumstances in which an organization could — and should — move wholesale to the cloud. In most cases, organizations are targeting certain types of applications and infrastructure for cloud adoption. These are typically components of the IT environment that can be maintained more cost-effectively in the cloud without impacting other requirements.
That means the cloud should be viewed as just another component of the IT infrastructure that must be carefully assessed, designed, managed and maintained. Although the cloud offers many benefits, it does not necessarily relieve IT complexity. On the contrary, it adds to the complexity in many instances.
How IronLogix Can Help
The IronLogix team has developed keen insight into where technology is headed, what works and what doesn’t, and how to leverage the latest solutions to meet specific needs. We can help organizations identify the best use cases for the cloud, select the right cloud solutions, and help ensure that security and regulatory requirements are met.
We can also provide essential ongoing support. The components of the IT infrastructure that remain in-house obviously have to be managed and maintained. In addition, some elements of the IT environment — such as Internet connectivity — become even more critical in a cloud setting. Our comprehensive managed services and thorough understanding of the cloud environment help ensure performance, reliability and availability.
Although the cloud has entered the mainstream, many organizations remain uncertain about the cloud’s advantages and pitfalls. You need a trusted advisor to help you understand what cloud services make sense for your organization. That’s where IronLogix comes in. We are here to help you assess the various cloud options and develop the right cloud strategy for your organization. We are also here to help manage and support your environment every step of the way.