Cloud services are a vital feature of the digital universe. A 2018 survey by Forbes projected that 67% of enterprise infrastructure and software would be cloud-based by the end of 2020. Additionally, 82% of the workload will reside on the cloud. Consequently, it was predicted that 40 zettabytes of data will pass through cloud computing networks in 2020.
In the current data-driven business sphere, the demand for data center solutions is rapidly rising. You ought to vet thoroughly the data center solutions provider that will be managing your company’s confidential information.
Are you out searching for data center solutions to support your firm’s rapid expansion? Here are five questions that you can ask potential providers.
1. Where Is Your Data Center Located?
The physical location of the provider’s data center is an essential consideration to keep in mind as you begin your search. It would be best to find vendors with data centers that you can easily access. Does the company have redundancy data centers that can provide a back-up in case of a power outage? To this end, if your company is in an area that regularly experiences natural disasters, you may need to find a provider with servers in second or third-tier cities under different power grids.
2. What Is Your Data Recovery Plan?
A whole 93% of firms that experience a data loss by losing contact with their data center for more than 10 days file for bankruptcy within a year. You may need to confirm if IT disaster recovery services are part of the contract. What measures does the data center solutions provider have in place to deal with a potential data loss? Find out the provisions in the company’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) address the risk of data loss and data redundancy programs currently in place.
3. What Are the Security Protocols for the Data Center?
The physical and online security of the cloud servers is a vital factor to keep in mind when picking a data center solution provider. Data breaches cost American companies an average of $3.85 million per successful attack. You may need to ensure that your company and client’s confidential files are safe within the cloud service. Ideally, the on-premise security should include manned personnel, round-the-clock surveillance, and modern lock systems. Is your data safe from other clients that they host in their data center?
4. What Customer Support Services Do You Provide?
Round-the-clock customer support is necessary for any data center services. Determine how client assistance is availed and the procedures set in place for dispute resolutions. What is the average response time? Will you be communicating to knowledgeable technicians directly or utilize a live chat feature?
5. Can You Scale Up to Accommodate Business Expansion?
Another key feature that you may need to consider is scalability. You need a data center solution provider that can accommodate your firm’s growth. In addition to increased storage needs, ask about the bandwidth, connectivity, technical assistance, and security measures. However, you should also ask about the cost of downscaling. Always remember that businesses can go through turbulence and need to downscale and cut cost.
It’s All About the Right Services Provider
Finding a data center solution provider that matches your cloud needs is critical to the success of your business. Asking the right questions beforehand ensures that you end up with the right fit. For more information on managed IT services, Contact ICC 360.