Steps to Choose the Best Cloud Service for Small Business

With the world embarking on the path of virtualization, transitioning to the cloud is the need of the hour. As more and more IT systems are getting externalized, it is crucial to analyze and compare the cloud services elaborately for long-term business success. The industry has a myriad of providers offering a vast host of services, from giants and this makes the selection of the right cloud provider increasingly challenging. The secret to making a safe investment for cloud services for small businesses is establishing a defined procurement and selection process weighted towards the unique set of business needs.

Security certifications and standards

It’s simple, data demands security, so cloud service providers need to confirm their security standards to be top-notch. Cloud service providers must comply with significant industry certifications, including ISO 27001 or other Cyber Essentials Schemes initiated by the Government. Businesses need to map their industry-specific security requirements and choose the necessary certificates that cannot be missed. It is essential to ensure that the providers plan their resources and support services elaborately, ensuring continuous adherence to the required certifications and standards.

How secure is the data center and where it is located?

The security and location of the servers and data centers where your company’s data will be kept are of the same importance as online safety. You will want to safeguard that you are not dealing with a cloud provider whose servers are kept in a basement where anyone can break in and get his hands on sensitive data. To ensure that’s not the case, it’s essential to ask your potential cloud solutions retailer how it protects its servers from natural disasters, such as storms, floods, fires, and earthquakes. Also, don’t forget to inquire about the different types of physical breach protection provided. For example, how the facilities are protected against thieves that would go after your private information, both physically and virtually.

Pricing structure

When aiming to choose the best cloud service for small business, pricing can definitely be the deciding factor. It boils down to the fact that you should only be paying for what you are using. Beware of gigantic upfront charges, which are not typical of trustworthy cloud providers or lock-in clauses. From the beginning, the pricing structure should be pay-as-you-go, with the ability to include extra services if required. Contingent upon the provider, the costs are typically charged on an hourly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis. Prices can differ substantially, from as low as $1 monthly per user to over $100 a month.

Downtime history

Downtime is a period of time when a service is effectively not accessible to users. The best answer to this critical question is NEVER however that isn’t realistic. Nonetheless, even the largest and most respected cloud vendors experience downtime from time to time. Since cloud outages can be costly and quite disruptive for one’s business, it’s best to opt out for a vendor that has as few as possible. It’s also vital that the company takes an open and transparent approach to incidents when they do happen.

3T Pro Inc. provides managed IT services, IT project management, cloud computing (3tpro.com/Cloud-Service-for-Small-Business), business continuity, 24/7 help desk computer and network support to small and medium sized businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Garland, Plano, Irving, Arlington, Rockwall, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Allen, and DFW Metroplex. To know more, visit https://3tpro.com/about-3t-pro/.

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