The widespread usage of cloud computing across various industries is offering a boost to Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). Organizations increasingly turn to CSPs due to challenges in handling all cloud-related tasks internally.
This has consequently given rise to the Cloud Managed Services trend globally. Managed Cloud Services include handling the complete responsibility of cloud operations to Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and supplying comprehensive aid for cloud control.
What Are Managed Cloud Services?
Managed cloud services include the provision of either partial or full management of a consumer’s cloud assets and infrastructure. The range of management duties include tasks such as migration, configuration, optimization, security, and ongoing maintenance. These services are designed to empower enterprises in optimizing benefits of cloud services while minimizing internal resource costs and time commitments.
Access to managed cloud offerings is available for public, private, and hybrid clouds at various stages of the cloud adoption process. Frequently, companies engage these services prior to migration, seeking help in identifying the most fitting cloud resources for their requirements and ensuring accurate configuration.
Why Do Businesses Need Managed Cloud Services?
There are several advantages associated with using managed cloud services, which include:
Resilience and robust governance: As companies increasingly embrace a multi-cloud approach, incorporating cloud management and deployment enhances resiliency, lowers costs, hastens the advent of latest products and services to the market, and improves customer support. Implementing managed cloud services ensures controlled cloud usage and provides better visibility.
Robust security and compliance: Managed cloud services, through continuous monitoring, management, and maintenance of the cloud, enable corporations to swiftly deliver new applications and services to the market while ensuring adherence to industry and government regulations in terms of security and compliance.
Business continuity: Outsourcing cloud management enables organizations to bypass expenses associated with hiring and educate new personnel. It helps mitigate the effect of talent disruptions, lowers costs related to system maintenance and operation, and allows internal IT teams to concentrate on tasks that contribute to business outcomes.
Automation-enabled Agility: Managed cloud services provide routine maintenance, security updates, and continuous monitoring, leveraging the inherent automation capabilities of the cloud to minimize human efforts and mistakes.
Enhanced customer experience (CX): Cloud services play an important role in transforming the customer experience, offering the transparency that customers seek and buyer-focused services they require. Adopting a collaborative, cloud-centric approach enables companies to provide exceptional hyper-customized, omnichannel, and real-time experiences.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Cloud Managed Services Provider
Choosing the most suitable Managed Cloud Service Provider (MCSP) may be a daunting task. With numerous providers offering seemingly identical services, especially if you’re unfamiliar with cloud services, it can be challenging to discern which aspects are crucial. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating your options for MCSP.
Skills and Expertise
Selecting a provider requires proficiency in the specific cloud services you plan to employ and a deep understanding of your business operations. This includes knowledge of industry best practices, the ability to integrate essential tools and applications, and the capacity to customize and enhance workflows to leverage cloud resources effectively.
Key helpful questions include:
- Their familiarity and training in the cloud services you intend to use.
- The types of organizations they predominantly serve.
- 3. Their level of familiarity with the tooling and workflows relevant to your industry
Security and Compliance
Prioritizing security and compliance is crucial when assessing Managed Cloud Service Providers (MCSPs). These aspects pose significant challenges for organizations, and a proficient provider can facilitate enhancements beyond what you can achieve independently.
Key helpful questions include:
- Inquiring about the security expertise and experience of the provider teams, along with their certification levels.
- Identifying the compliance regulations that the provider specializes in and whether they offer services for auditing compliance.
- Understanding the safety measures implemented to safeguard client data and prevent unauthorized access, particularly if an attacker attempts to exploit the provider as an entry
- Investigating whether the provider offers any integrated security solutions.
Transparency and Control
Relying on a Managed Cloud Service Provider (MCSP) for the control of your cloud sources requires a lot of trust. These providers typically have unrestricted access to your data, and the functionality of your cloud offerings may depend completely on their operations. Therefore, it’s crucial to select a provider that is transparent in disclosing how they handle your services.
Ideally, providers should engage with your in-house teams, fostering collaboration to enhance their understanding of service management. This transparency not only reduces dependence on the provider but also allows you to verify that MCSPs deliver the promised services.
Key helpful questions include
- How willing are vendors to share performance reports and metrics related to your services?
- Do providers use proprietary or open-source tools for service management?
- What techniques are in place to alert you to changes, maintenance, or issues?
- What training opportunities do providers offer to enhance in-residence skillsets?
Cloud Managed Services by CMC Global
As an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner, CMC Global stands at the forefront of cloud innovation, ready to guide organizations through the dynamic realm of AWS Managed Services. With a commitment to excellence and a proven track record, CMC Global offers a suite of comprehensive solutions designed to elevate your cloud experience.
Our team of certified experts brings proficiency in AWS technologies, ensuring a seamless integration of cloud solutions customized to your business needs. From strategic planning to ongoing optimization, CMC Global serves as a trusted companion on your cloud journey.
Contact us for further consultation.
