Cloud technology is one of the most exciting advances in technology in recent years, but choosing a new cloud storage provider for your first migration is nonetheless a daunting process. The ability to access the company network from any device will transform the way your employees communicate and collaborate. Since the cloud will be a critical, daily workplace tool, choosing the right cloud storage provider begins with thinking of your team’s needs.

Here are a few points to keep in mind as you evaluate cloud storage providers

Look beyond the price point

Smart IT providers know that price isn’t all there is to evaluating a technology tool, but they have to budget just the same. You may notice cloud storage providers vary wildly when it comes to pricing. Many cloud providers charge based on the amount of storage you require after the initial deduplication and compression has been completed. If there are substantial setup fees or other upfront fees, investigate further and be sure to compare these costs to other vendors. Also, you'll want to inquire about fees for uploads or downloads as well as general maintenance.

It’s a competitive marketplace, but if you notice one provider swinging far on the cheaper side and another high on the expensive side, investigate further. What features are they offering that justify such a high price point? And, on the other end of the spectrum, what features might they be lacking to be so inexpensive? If it sounds too good to be true, it may be too good to be true.

Don’t skimp on security

You’re entrusting your cloud storage provider to protect your organization’s most critical asset: its data. Cutting corners on security is not a risk you want to take. Ask your cloud partners to detail out their security practices. For example, do they have special practices for storing highly sensitive documents versus “day to day?” Do they offer file encryption? Depending on the type of data you’ll be storing, you may require different layers, and these will be worth paying for. Also, you may want to ask about the physical location of your cloud provider's servers, and what physical measures have been taken to protect the actual data centers. And, don't forget to ask even the most obvious of questions, like whether your cloud storage provider prompts you to create stronger usernames and passwords.

Look for a clear and distinguishable infrastructure

Different cloud storage providers offer different aspects of service. Often, the cloud is considered a document and file-sharing platform. But today’s enterprises are much more complex than that, with needs that span far beyond document management and access. For example, many businesses choose to use cloud storage as another hard drive (minus the hardware), and many rely on the cloud for data backup and recovery. And some businesses rely on cloud storage providers for advanced syncing capabilities, Web sharing, document version control and data protection and more. Look for a cloud storage provider who can partner with you to develop a specific strategy for your needs so that you can cover all your bases.

Plan for customized growth and scalability

You’ll want to determine what your growth needs will be, within reason of course. Do a gut check on your storage needs and estimate what you’ll require in one year and five years from now. Will the cloud partners you’re evaluating be able to keep pace with your business needs? An affordable provider that addresses your challenges today may not be the right provider for you down the road. The last thing you’ll want to do is to make cloud migration a process that you undergo every few years. Save time and money by migrating once to the right cloud storage provider, if you can perform solid growth projections.

On the other hand, while you don't want to have to migrate to a new vendor every year or two, beware of vendor lock-in.

Before you sign a contract, ask:

Is there minimum contract periods?
Are there termination fees?
Can they easily transition data to another provider?

Maintaining flexibility and having the option to move to another provider is just as critical as thinking through your growth projections.

Look for past successes

A reputable cloud storage provider will have many past engagements to share as proof of their expertise. These may be current and past clients, similar deployments, case studies and even third party awards. The cloud vendor should willingly provide solid references for a few of their satisfied clients, preferably in your industry. While industry expertise is not necessarily required, it certainly does not hurt for your cloud provider to be knowledgeable about your industry and its specific challenges.

What support will you be given?

You may or may not require a lot of support. Investigate the support options that come with your initial migration as well as what’s available to you for ongoing maintenance. What are the support team’s hours, and how do they charge you? Is the support customized to your business? Frankly, a reputable cloud storage provider should offer support 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. It's also a good idea to ask about average response times and whether support is given by phone, live chat, email, and so forth. Feel free to test out the provider's support line, if you're able, to see if they use scripts, and if you're comfortable with the manner in which they respond.

As with many things IT, choosing a cloud storage provider is not a cut and dry process. To find the best provider for you, be extremely clear about your needs as a business and as an IT team. Plan well into the future. And remember, while you may encounter many attractive (and less attractive) price points, be sure to dig deep to investigate the underlying reasons why those price points exist.

At Twinstate, we can help you make the transition to the cloud and support in your communications infrastructure.