What Is the Role of Cloud Computing in Managed IT Services? The Quick Take:
A managed IT service provider (MSP) can be a crucial business partner for your company, helping you choose and manage your cloud productivity suite wisely. What is the Role of Cloud Computing in Managed IT Services? A premium IT MSP can help companies:
- Evaluate their business needs, and match the right cloud productivity tools to the jobs that need to be done
- Manage onboarding and offboarding of employees on cloud tools, so the company doesn’t pay for unused or defunct licenses
- Ensure that the proper patching and monitoring of cloud tools are being completed in a timely manner
- Vet new and existing cloud tools for compatibility with all the company’s other systems and platforms
- Run cybersecurity checks to guarantee that proper data handling and compliance protocols are in place
- Connect businesses with employee training resources on their cloud tools
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Cloud computing is no longer a novelty to most American businesses. According to Gartner Research, by 2025, 85% of companies will have embraced a “cloud first” strategy, moving their software and data storage out of their internal servers and onto to offsite data centers and cloud tool providers. If you’re looking to move your operations to the cloud, or you’re simply looking for help managing your existing cloud suite, the right IT partners are crucial. Managed IT service providers can help you with every step of the cloud migration process, then help manage your cloud presence with white-glove, turnkey service.
When it comes to the question: “what is the role of cloud computing in managed IT services” there’s a lot to know. Let’s start first by defining “what is cloud computing?”
What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing refers to the on-demand availability of computer system resources, such as data storage. Some can be used without the need for active management by the user/users. Many different services offer public cloud computing, the most popular being Amazon Web Services, Salesforce CRM System, and Microsoft Azure. While the tools may be public, cloud providers create “walled gardens” that safeguard your data, and allow you to have a “private cloud” experience for your company.
Many businesses today make great use of cloud computing as it allows employees to share applications, stay on the same networks, access additional data storage, and other services that the user may need at a moment’s notice. The most significant advantage of cloud computing is that it can provide all these services from anywhere, so your employees can access it wherever they are. Let’s dig deeper into the benefits cloud computing can provide your company.
What Is the Role of Cloud Computing in Managed IT Services: The Benefits of Cloud Based IT Solutions
In today’s fast-paced business environment, cloud-based IT solutions offer significant advantages for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Here are some key benefits that highlight why cloud computing is essential for modern IT management:
1. Scalability and Flexibility
Cloud-based solutions offer unparalleled scalability, allowing businesses to easily adjust their IT resources based on current needs. Whether you’re experiencing rapid growth or seasonal fluctuations, cloud services can quickly scale up or down without the need for significant capital investment in hardware.
2. Cost Efficiency
By adopting cloud computing, SMBs can reduce their IT expenses significantly. Cloud services operate on a pay-as-you-go model, which means you only pay for the resources you use. This eliminates the need for large upfront investments in server infrastructure and reduces ongoing maintenance costs.
3. Enhanced Security
Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures to protect their clients’ data. Features such as encryption, regular security updates, and advanced threat detection help safeguard sensitive information. Additionally, managed IT service providers (MSPs) can offer continuous monitoring and management to ensure your cloud environment remains secure.
4. Improved Collaboration and Accessibility
Cloud-based solutions enable seamless collaboration among team members, regardless of their location. With tools like cloud storage and collaborative software, employees can access and work on documents in real-time, enhancing productivity and fostering teamwork. This is especially true for businesses with remote or distributed teams.
5. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Because you’re operating in the cloud offsite, your data is being backed up at that cloud facility. There are also secondary offsite cloud backups that can be purchased that are a “backup to the backup.” This means your data can be quickly located and restored in the event of a disruption. This minimizes downtime and helps maintain business continuity, which is crucial for maintaining customer trust and operational efficiency. Businesses no longer need to worry about losing data during a natural disaster or system outage. Cloud-based backups can be tailored to your need for backup speed and storage.
6. Automatic Updates and Maintenance
One of the significant advantages of cloud tools is that the cloud service provider handles all updates and maintenance. This ensures that your systems are always up-to-date with the latest features and security patches, freeing up your internal IT team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.
7. Access to Advanced Technologies
Cloud platforms often provide access to cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics. These tools can help your company gain valuable insights, automate processes, and enhance decision-making capabilities, giving you a competitive edge in the market.
By partnering with a managed IT service provider, you can fully leverage these benefits, ensuring your IT infrastructure is powerful, secure, and aligned with your business goals. Cloud-based IT solutions not only enhance operational efficiency but also provide the agility needed to adapt to changing market conditions.
Cloud productivity services are now available for computing tasks at nearly every level. Let’s drill down into some of the ways cloud computing is transforming the way business is done.
What Is the Role of Cloud Computing in Managed IT Services? Types of Cloud Productivity Services
Software as a Service (SaaS)
This type of cloud computing is built to deliver applications over the internet through a computer’s browser. Businesses often use a SaaS cloud computing model as it is easy to use and allows the company to develop their own modifications and additions to their applications. This allows them to change how the cloud works to match their business model and needs. The most popular SaaS cloud computing services are Google’s G Suite and Microsoft Office 365.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS provides storage and computer services on a pay-per-use basis. In other words, companies that rely on IaaS cloud computing only pay for the applications and storage that they need and nothing else. However, many services provided in IaaS go beyond just storage. Here are some of the services that IaaS cloud computing can offer to users:
- Highly scalable databases
- Virtual private networks
- Data Analytics
- Developer tools
- Machine learning
- Application monitoring
Among IaaS cloud computing providers, the leaders in the industry are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
When it comes to businesses that require sharing tools and assets between coworkers to function, PaaS may be the best choice. PaaS cloud computing offers services that make it easier to share work and tools between users, allowing for easier processing. It uses APIs to accelerate development testing and quicker deployment of applications. Among the most popular PaaS services on the market are Salesforce’s Heroku and Red Hat’s OpenShift.
Functions as a Service (FaaS)
FaaS is usually paired with IaaS cloud computing, as FaaS removes the need for a server to access the cloud. This is done by uploading functional blocks of code and causing them to react with specific events, such as submitting a form or uploading new data. By doing this alongside IaaS, major cloud computing companies allow businesses to access more applications without tapping into IaaS services until needed. This reduces the pay-per-use fees that would have occurred with just IaaS.
Cloud Computing Deployment Models
There are four deployment methods in which cloud computing can operate. These are as follows:
Public Cloud refers to the infrastructure provisioned for open use by the general public. This type of cloud computing can be owned, managed, and operated by a business, school district, or government organization.
Private Cloud refers to the infrastructure created for the exclusive use of an individual or an organization. This cloud computing is owned, managed, and operated by a third party, the organization, or individuals themselves. It often exists off the premises of the organization or individual using it.
Government Cloud refers to a Private Cloud dedicated to Government use with Government level security.
Community Cloud is an infrastructure used specifically by a community of consumers from organizations with similar interests, such as a mission or security requirement. It is often owned and managed by one of the organizations in the community. However, a third party can also manage it.
Hybrid Cloud is an infrastructure used exclusively by a single organization comprising multiple consumers. They are owned, managed, and operated by the organization or a third-party provider.
How Managed IT Can Help You Manage Your Cloud Productivity
In the modern business landscape, cloud productivity tools are essential for maintaining efficiency and collaboration. However, managing these tools effectively can be challenging. This is where Managed IT Services come into play, offering several advantages to help you maximize your cloud productivity:
Expertise and Support:
Managed IT providers bring specialized knowledge and experience in cloud technologies. They can help you choose the right tools, set them up correctly, and provide ongoing support to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance:
With managed IT services, your cloud environment is continuously monitored for performance issues, security threats, and potential disruptions. This proactive approach helps prevent problems before they impact your productivity.
Security and Compliance:
Managed IT providers implement robust security measures to protect your data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. They handle tasks such as regular security updates, data encryption, and access controls, giving you peace of mind.
Cost Management:
By optimizing your cloud resources and eliminating unnecessary expenses, managed IT services can help you control costs. They provide insights into your usage patterns and recommend cost-effective solutions tailored to your business needs.
Scalability and Flexibility:
Managed IT services can quickly scale your cloud resources up or down based on your changing requirements. This flexibility ensures that you always have the right amount of resources without overpaying for unused capacity.
Enhanced Collaboration:
Managed IT providers can integrate and optimize collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, ensuring seamless communication and teamwork across your organization.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity:
Managed IT services include comprehensive disaster recovery plans to protect your data and ensure business continuity. In the event of a disruption, they can quickly restore your systems and minimize downtime.
Focus on Core Business:
By outsourcing the management of your cloud productivity tools to a managed IT provider, your internal IT team can focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth, rather than getting bogged down with routine maintenance tasks.
Partnering with a managed IT service provider allows you to fully leverage the benefits of cloud productivity tools while ensuring they are managed efficiently and securely. This not only enhances your operational efficiency but also supports your long-term business goals.
What is the Role of Cloud Computing in Managed IT Services? How to Choose the Right Cloud Provider
Selecting the right cloud provider is crucial for SMBs. Here are some of the key factors you need to consider as you shop for an managed IT service provider to help you with your cloud infrastructure:
Understand Your Business Needs:
Identify your specific requirements, such as application types, data storage, and security needs.
Evaluate Security and Compliance:
Ensure the provider offers strong security measures and complies with industry standards like GDPR or HIPAA.
Assess Performance and Reliability:
Check the provider’s uptime, performance, and SLAs. Customer reviews and case studies can provide insights into their reliability.
Consider Scalability and Flexibility:
Choose a provider that can scale resources according to your business growth and offers flexible pricing models.
Evaluate Support and Customer Service:
Look for 24/7 support and a reputation for excellent customer service to ensure quick assistance when needed.
Review Cost and Pricing Models:
Compare pricing models to understand the total cost of ownership, including any additional charges.
Check for Integration and Compatibility:
Ensure the provider’s services integrate seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure and applications.
Evaluate Innovation and Future Roadmap:
Select a provider committed to innovation with a strong track record of introducing new features and technologies.
By considering these factors, SMBs can choose a cloud provider that meets their needs and supports their long-term goals.
Do You Need an MSP That Can Help You with Your Cloud Computing Needs? Talk to Integris.
Let the experts at Integris help! Our team of cloud experts can not only advise you on the best practices for your business’s IT needs, but we can also provide you with around the clock support. Take your business to the next level and contact Integris for your managed cloud needs.
