Cloud computing: tips for choosing a provider

Supplier selection: tips for the manager
Cloud Computing - Cloud Computing is a form of service using a remote computer. How do you choose the right cloud provider for the business? The right provider is the one that will lead to the success of the process and vice versa. A challenging question. Many organizations worry, and quite rightly so, about outsourcing such an important organizational part to an external party. How to verify his professional level?
What questions should be asked in order to receive the highest quality, most reliable and safest service?

Cloud Computing - Cloud Computing is a form of service using a remote computer. Through an Internet connection or through a dedicated communication line, all the data and business logic of a certain entity are concentrated on servers and computer units that are physically distant from it. This is about Hosting - hosting of the organization's computer systems, on a physical site of another organization. The hosting company provides infrastructure on which the applications of the hosting company will be built. The significant advantage of the cloud is the potential of saving resources of manpower and money, by avoiding the purchase of expensive computing equipment and the need for personnel to manage it, be responsible for upgrading it, repairing it, etc. The use of a cloud service improves the availability of information systems and produces a flexible and simple infrastructure for operation and maintenance, through a "monthly rental service".

But here begins the main concern in the whole issue: how do you choose the right cloud provider for the business?! The right supplier is the one that will bring about the success of the process and vice versa. A challenging question. Many organizations worry, and quite rightly so, about outsourcing such an important organizational part to an external party. How to verify his professional level? What questions should be asked in order to receive the highest quality, most reliable and safest service?

It is important to understand first and foremost that a provider of cloud computing must be a type of "integrator" - a body with knowledge in many fields and experience with regards to the planning, implementation and support of computing infrastructures. In general, it is useful to examine three main areas when choosing the cloud provider: his professional level - the technical level of the body and the technical staff employed by him, his professional experience, etc.; the types of technologies, hardware products and manufacturers/brands he uses; The physical level of the facilities where he stores his computer systems and operates them.

For this purpose, you should ask several main questions:

• What is his knowledge and experience in planning the infrastructure, implementing and supporting the information systems?
• Does the provider operate an infrastructure that includes a large number of customers?
• Are his customers satisfied - don't be afraid to check who they are and ask these questions...
• Does his team employ experts with knowledge in the various worlds of computing infrastructure - storage, backup, virtualization, disaster recovery, applications and operating systems?
• Will the process of moving to the cloud infrastructure be quick and efficient or may it take longer?
• What is the disconnection policy from the cloud infrastructure? Is the customer obligated or "bound"?
• What is the level of service offered and the speed of the supplier's response in the event of a malfunction or problem?
• Is there a compensation mechanism in case of damage to the business as a result of service or infrastructure problems?
• Can the system performance be viewed by the customer at any given moment?
• Is the control of the system operation in the hands of the customer?
• How does the cloud provider secure the information on the network? What is its backup frequency?
• Are these physical facilities that include physical survivability and a high level of security? Maybe even an underground location of the systems?

It can be understood, therefore, that the questions that must be asked at the important stage of choosing the cloud computing infrastructure provider are many and varied. But all of them must be taken into account in order to make the right choice. This, in order to enjoy, after the selection, conditions of silence regarding the operation of the computer systems and the proper and efficient ongoing management of the entire organization.