How do you choose the right cloud for your business?

In this age of digital transformation, cloud computing has become a cornerstone for many businesses, regardless of their size or industry. However, choosing the right cloud service can be a challenge, especially with the growing number of options available and the variety of models. In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing cloud computing for your business.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is an IT infrastructure accessible via the internet that allows companies to use computing power, data storage and applications without the need for their own servers or hardware. These services are offered in various models such as:

• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) - offers infrastructure, such as virtual servers, disk space or networks.
• PaaS (Platform as a Service) - provides a platform for developing and running applications.
• SaaS (Software as a Service) - provides access to off-the-shelf applications, e.g. CRM systems or collaboration tools.

Key criteria for choosing cloud computing

1. Understanding your business needs

The first step is to analyse the company's requirements:

• What applications and data will be hosted in the cloud?
• What are the requirements for computing power, data storage or integration with other systems?
• Is the company planning growth that will increase cloud needs?

The answers to these questions will help determine whether you need IaaS, PaaS or SaaS solutions.

1. Deployment model: public, private or hybrid cloud?

• Public cloud (e.g. AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud) offers scalability and lower initial costs, but data is stored on the provider's servers.
• A private cloud gives greater control and security, which is crucial for companies handling sensitive data.
• The hybrid cloud combines both approaches, allowing flexible resource management.

1. Costs and billing model

It is worth assessing whether the company's budget allows for subscription fees or whether a payment model for actual resource usage will be more beneficial. Pay attention to:

• Charges for data storage and transfer.
• Costs of any excess resources.
• The ability to optimise costs for dynamic needs.

1. Scalability and flexibility

Choose a cloud that allows you to quickly adapt your resources to changing business requirements. Scalability is key, especially for seasonal businesses or fast-growing startups.

1. Security and regulatory compliance

Check what security measures your cloud provider offers:

• Data encryption.
• Compliance certifications (e.g. ISO 27001, GDPR).
• Backup and recovery capabilities.

For regulated industries such as medicine or finance, compliance with data protection regulations is also important.

1. Location of data centres

For many companies, where the provider's servers are located is important. The choice of location can have an impact on:

• Data latency (latency).
• Compliance with local data storage regulations.

1. Technical support and SLA

The reliability of the cloud should be confirmed in the SLA (Service Level Agreement). Key elements include:

• Guaranteed uptime (e.g. 99.9%).
• Availability of technical support in case of problems.
• Response time to requests.

1. Integration with existing systems

Make sure that the cloud you choose allows integration with the tools your company uses, e.g. ERP, CRM or database systems.

The most popular cloud providers

There are many cloud providers on the market, but the most recognisable are:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) - the market leader with an extensive catalogue of services and a global infrastructure.
2. Microsoft Azure - integrates well with Microsoft products, ideal for businesses using Windows systems.
3. Google Cloud - highly regarded for its big data and artificial intelligence solutions.
4. IBM Cloud - popular in the financial and medical sectors due to its high level of security.
5. Oracle Cloud - suitable for companies using Oracle databases.

Examples of cloud applications in business

• E-commerce: the scalability of the cloud enables it to handle seasonal spikes in traffic.
• Startups: Ability to rapidly deploy applications without investing in infrastructure.
• Medical sector: Secure storage and analysis of patient data.
• Financial industry: The cloud supports advanced data analysis and process automation.

Summary

Choosing the right cloud for a company is a decision that requires an analysis of business needs, an understanding of the available options and an evaluation of the providers' offerings. Aspects such as security, scalability, cost and technical support are crucial. When deciding on a particular platform, remember to consider both your business's current and future needs.

Moving to the cloud is an investment in flexibility and innovation - choose wisely to realise the full potential of the technology.