On our blog, we’ve covered many different elements of cloud computing – posts about what cloud is, how to implement it, concerns, and the variance between each of the different types of cloud technology available. However, we haven’t discussed what happens if you choose to leave the cloud. Whether the reason you choose to leave the cloud is financial or you simply find that the cloud isn’t right for your business, how do you leave?
A majority of industry professionals are preaching the benefits of cloud computing and persuading hundreds of users to move their data to the cloud. Undoubtedly, the cloud is a fantastic tool, but it may not be for everyone. Additionally, the cloud provider or technology that you choose may not be the right fit for your business. The three main reasons for leaving your cloud provider are service, performance, and functionality.
If your provider isn’t able to meet your service expectations, you should start your search for a different cloud provider. In terms of performance, you need to take both application performance and service level agreements into consideration. It is important to acknowledge the fact that some outages are likely to occur, but the differentiating factor is how your provider handles them when they do. Lastly, if your cloud provider can’t keep pace with technology, then they likely won’t be around for very long.
Once you’ve made the decision to leave your cloud provider, you need to determine if you’re willing to pay a penalty to leave your contract early or if you’re willing to wait until your contract term is over. The specifics of how you leave your cloud provider vary depending on the existing contract and type of cloud services you are using. However, you should begin the process of exiting a month or two before prior to your contract ending. This will give you time to migrate your data to a different cloud provider or back in-house.
If you choose to move your data to another cloud provider, starting preparations before the end of your existing contract is critical in order to avoid any breaks in service. Leaving early will give you time to find a new provider, move your data over, test the new environment, and set a date for an orderly transition with little or impact to your productivity.
However, if your company is having a negative experience with your cloud provider, the problem is likely the actual provider – not the technology. Cloud computing is a great business resource, and a sour experience with one particular provider shouldn’t deter you from utilizing the technology. With the right cloud provider, your business stands to benefit from the multiple advantages it provides.
Blog Author: Vanessa Hartung
