5 Best Practices For Complete Cloud Operations
Many companies have been switching from legacy systems and embracing the wonders of cloud technology in the past few years. Even though this is very commendable, not all of them have managed to harness the full potential of cloud services due to inefficient cloud operations. This makes them spend a lot on the cloud and not enjoy its full advantages.
For you to enjoy the best from the benefits that cloud services can provide, it is important to focus on the five best practices guidelines we will discuss below. But first, let’s understand what cloud operations are.
Understanding Cloud Operations
Generally, cloud operations involve any series of practices your company performs to manage all IT services that run in a cloud environment. You can think of cloud operations as the bread and butter of any company that runs in a cloud environment since these operations determine whether the company will be efficient in the work that it does. Cloud operations are very crucial for any modern company.
In the current business and IT landscape, cloud operations can make or break your company. With that in mind, you should endeavor to maintain the best cloud operations practices that increase your efficiency and help you do what you do best.
The Best Practices For Cloud Operations
1. Focus On A Provider Agnostic Cloud Operations Model
The most important aspect of cloud operations is the process of transitioning from legacy systems to the cloud. Most cloud architects take time to research the best cloud platform that suits the needs of the organization effectively. However, as you would expect, business operations are always changing. That is why you should focus on a provider-agnostic cloud operations model.
Provider-agnostic cloud operations models allow you to have one configuration that can easily manage different types of cloud service providers either interchangeably or simultaneously. A provider-agnostic model will help you to be flexible enough to add on new features, let go of those you already have, and optimize your business operations effectively as your business operations change.
2. Leverage Artificial Intelligence For Optimum Operations
As you might have noticed, artificial intelligence has captured every market by storm in the past few years. In fact, some pundits are arguing that AI and ML could soon change the way modern tech works, just like the dot com mania back in the late 90s. Everyone has their own perspective on AI, but the fact remains that AI could have significant benefits on your cloud operations model.
AI helps automate many processes in any cloud operation. With AI, you can easily leave behind the reactive approach in cloud management, where you make changes whenever you spot any needs in your operations model. A proactive approach increases your accuracy and helps reduce any errors that may arise because of doing work manually.
3. Avert Risk Through Disaster Recovery
No technology is foolproof. Just like all other legacy systems, cloud services also have their small chinks in the armor. The only thing that distinguishes an effective company from one that is doomed for failure is the disaster management process the company provides.
Disaster management should form a central part of your cloud operations.
When running disaster management in cloud operations, you should focus on three main aspects. These are identifying risks, resolving problems, and avoiding future risks. Real-time monitoring in cloud operations goes a long way toward reducing risk and increasing your response time.
You can also leverage AI to automate disaster response to resolve problems and avoid future risks without affecting your operational efficiency.
Disaster management will help your business to reduce downtime and maintain a steady stream of operations.
4. Use Cloud Governance To Maintain Cost Efficiency
Cloud governance is a strategy businesses use to ensure that all their cloud operations are utilized to their full potential. Because of the popularity of cloud services in the current business age, many service providers are cropping up with new features to sell to you. Unfortunately, you may find yourself spending a lot on a cloud service with features that you don’t need.
On the other hand, you might have a cloud service that provides features you need, but you don’t know they exist. The effect of this can harm your bottom line and profits.
You can use cloud governance in your cloud operations to reduce the cost of cloud services on your business. Cloud governance will help reduce underutilization and overprovisioning in your cloud services and save you a few bucks while at it. With cloud governance, you will enjoy the full benefits of your cloud services at the best prices ever.
5. Cloud-Based Compliance
Every business operates in a regulatory complex. The government pays close attention to everything businesses do to protect consumers. That is why regulation models and laws such as the GDPR exist.
When running cloud operations, it is crucial to have a model that has an in-built reporting system that manages compliance with different standards and laws, which will help you avoid any conflict with the government and lead to excessive fines.
Final Thoughts
Switching to cloud services can be expensive for your business. But every cloud has a silver lining, pun intended. If you want to get value for what you spend on cloud services, then you need to have an efficient cloud operations strategy that includes the five best practices we have discussed above. That way, you will enjoy the full advantages the cloud has to offer.