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Sunday, 4 February 2018 ehdf

What not to look for in a Cloud Services Provider?

Cloud Computing can certainly be identified as one of the most fundamental game changing meta trends to emerge in IT related infrastructure, functional strategies and capabilities of businesses. It has allowed enterprises to return to a focus on core business competencies and strengths, while leaving several of the IT services that have become non-negotiable and essential to modern business models, to be provided by an external service provider. As in other regions that are host to vibrant business communities and state of the art business practices, several Cloud Service Providers in the UAE have risen to the task of providing these services to the benefit of countless enterprises. However, as rapidly and widely as the trend has been adopted, there remain some key aspects and limitations that one must remain cognizant of. As with any business practice and approach, the strategy has strengths that are driving its widespread appeal, but also specific limitations that need to be taken into account. Establishing a relationship with a Cloud Computing company in Dubai – as elsewhere – brings several benefits, but there are also some specific inherent limitations.

Limitations to Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing takes advantage of the ubiquitous reach of the Internet and the connectivity it offers across platforms, devices and technologies. As in other geographies with reliable and robust communications infrastructure, the growth of Cloud Hosting in Dubai is reliant on, and driven by, the multi modal connectivity that such a framework enables. However, this accessible and relatively open architecture also creates vulnerabilities that require a well conceived approach from businesses availing its benefits.

Effective governance is fundamental to desirable management practices and decision making that aligns with the needs of the organization. Several established standards exist and are commonly practiced around the world, in order to enhance the governance of IT infrastructure. Typically, Cloud Computing Service Providers in the UAE are well versed in these protocols and endeavour to provide them to the satisfaction of their clients. However, certain limitations to the service are introduced due to the nature of the technologies involved. It is essential that companies recognize that these limitations do not have to do with the service being provided, but are rather a manifestation of the strategy itself. Enterprises that avail the services of Cloud Hosting in the UAE should remain aware of these limitations, to optimize risk versus reward equations.

Cutting down the limitations

  1. Cloud Computing depends fundamentally on internet connectivity that a business has available to it – while a standard model, featuring in house servers and IT infrastructure has a relatively limited dependence for specific features alone. While this is only a problem when internet connectivity is sub-par or sporadic, it is a fundamental requirement that can undermine the entire strategy.
  2. An external infrastructure, owned by an independent entity, is limited by the services agreed upon and contract drawn. It is essential for enterprises to prioritize core functions and service level agreements that do not compromise functionality. Businesses looking for a Cloud Services Provider must not let these priorities be compromised in exchange for any other advantages that may appear lucrative.
  3. Switching Cloud Service Providers has the potential to be a protracted and difficult process – depending on the services involved and the Vendor. Switching a Hosting platform and migrating Cloud applications across operating systems can create interoperability issues. It is important that an enterprise does not look at short term priorities alone and takes into account how future strategies can affect its choices.
  4. As an innovation that is reliant on the constant flow of data and processing information over network and internet connections, the Cloud Computing solution creates risks and exposure that can undermine the integrity of data and the security of an organization’s IT infrastructure, if it is rolled out with inadequate attention to detail. Enterprises looking to incorporate the strategy need to consider the possibility of a breach and the risks involved. This makes it very important to work with a reputed Services provider.

Conclusion

The nature of innovation is such that one can only truly gauge its effect when a body of real world evidence has been gathered and collated. While Cloud Computing has created several advantages for businesses since its inception, it has also been found to introduce vulnerabilities and compromises, if enacted badly. Enterprises choosing the strategy as an option are well advised to look beyond apparent cost benefits alone and consider the entire set of ramifications. A good fit – that addresses both efficiencies and vulnerabilities – and well executed services are essential to the success of the strategy.

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