How to Hire the Right Cloud-Managed Service Provider? Key Considerations and Best Practices

Today, with the advancement of emerging technologies and the adoption of cloud businesses are taking up the mantle of strategising the management aspects of it. But to manage the cloud optimally, businesses need additional help from industry experts. And that is where the cloud-managed service provider comes into play.

According to statistics, the global cloud-managed services market size as per revenue surpassed $99.0 billion in 2022 and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.6% to reach over $164.0 billion by the end of 2027. A cloud-managed service provider partially or totally manages the cloud platforms of their customers, including the migration, maintenance, and optimization of those platforms.

However, choosing the right cloud-managed service providers (CMSPs) for the effective management of your IT infrastructure and data storage is quite a challenging process. In this guide, we will go through the benefits of hiring CMSPs, common challenges that businesses face while hiring, and finally 10 key considerations and a few effective practices to help you find the perfect partner for your business.

What is a Cloud Service Provider?

A cloud service provider or CSP is an IT company that provides cloud services, generally infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), or platform as a service (PaaS).

Cloud service providers use their data centers and compute resources to host cloud computing-based infrastructure and platform services for clients. These cloud services are usually priced using various pay-as-you-go subscription models.

The customers are only charged for resources they consume, such as the amount of time a service or a platform is used or the storage capacity used. Today, most top cloud service providers provide all these services. The two main leaders in cloud computing are Amazon and Microsoft, followed by Google and Alibaba.

The following are the main types of services by which cloud service providers are often categorized:

» Software as a service (SaaS): This type of cloud service provider offers customers turnkey software applications that can be accessed through a web browser or application program interface. (API)

» Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): IaaS providers offer customers access to APIs and other resources that facilitate the development of virtual data centers capable of supporting workloads across multi-cloud environments.

» Platform as a service (PaaS): PaaS providers extend the capabilities of IaaS and SaaS by providing development teams access to libraries and other software tools the

at support building as well as hosting native cloud applications.

Benefits of Cloud-Managed Service Provider

Hiring the right cloud-managed service provider is like leveraging the power of the digital wizard, that can magically transform your business operations and data storage systems.

To get deeper insight, let’s uncover the main benefits you will have access to once you engage with a CMSP:

1. Reduced Costs

Cloud service providers charge customers on a pay-as-you-go basis. They provide access to the resources and tools when you need them which is a great way to enable cost savings.

With a cloud-managed services provider, businesses no longer need to spend the time, effort, or money in finding expert IT professionals, hiring them, and upskilling them.

In addition, businesses can cut down upfront costs while also streamlining their monthly operational bill by leveraging the pay-per-use model.

2. Security

Cloud-managed service providers also offer cybersecurity support that can protect businesses from the growing number of attacks while also strengthening the security foundation.

Since a cloud provider has a thorough knowledge of your IT infrastructure along with updated details on present-day threats, your business can minimize the risk of losing sensitive as well as valuable data from hackers.

Overall, a cloud provider can protect your business by implementing adequate security controls such as antivirus software, encryption, and multi-factor authentication.

3. On-demand Access to Expertise

Cloud-managed service providers offer you on-demand access to experienced and qualified resources with in-depth domain knowledge in your area of expertise. These resources not only help create a tailored blueprint to assist you in meeting larger business goals, but they also provide strategic guidance on a timely basis and implement a proven set of processes, so you can harness the full power of your IT infrastructure.

4. Data Loss Prevention

As a business owner, you can also use a cloud-managed service provider as an alternate backup plan to protect against natural disasters, power sources, or other failures.

Many cloud providers create redundancy in backup plans to protect against regional disruptions. It permanently prevents you from losing your valuable data, if something goes wrong.

Regular backup of your data onto the cloud can assist in protecting your data while ensuring employees and customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted services.

5. Regular and Automatic Software Updates

Cloud-managed service providers also ensure that your IT infrastructure is up to date. They make efforts to implement the latest security patches and system updates, whenever they are available.

By ensuring such automatic upgrades and updates, cloud service providers also make sure you never fall behind. They help in preventing costly downtime while improving the security of your servers and networks.

6. Scalability

Cloud service providers make it easier for businesses to meet the increased demand for products or services.

With the ability to scale storage and compute resources, your businesses can easily meet your demands, irrespective of what time of the day or what season of the year.

After hiring a cloud provider you no longer need to worry about limited space, expensive infrastructure, or slow rollouts.

7. 24/7 Support

Another key benefit of working with a cloud-managed service provider is receiving 24/7 support. Generally, cloud services require continuous technical support which means if any major problem arises during or after business hours, providers can solve them in time.

A cloud provider not only finds a work around as an immediate solution but also makes necessary changes, so your business doesn’t encounter the issue again.

Challenges of Hiring a Coud Managed Service Provider

Aside from the key benefits there are a few challenges, you may face when choosing a cloud-managed service provider:

1. Performance Can Vary

While every cloud service provider will make some promises on performance, and outcomes the actual performance varies. So if you are not careful enough, you might end up with a cloud provider who fails to deliver on their promises and your business requirements.

2. Lack of Technology Compatibility

Businesses need to accommodate new advanced technologies into their business operations in order to gain a competitive advantage. But, not all cloud providers may be compatible with your business’s existing technologies.

Therefore, ensuring that the provider’s services are compatible with your business’s existing technologies and systems is one of the biggest challenges.

3. Cybersecurity Threats

Cloud computing can also increase the fear of cyber attacks, increasing the threat surface beyond the businesses’s parameters. But, by choosing the right cloud service provider and taking an active part in shared responsibility, specifically around access and identity-proof authentication, the security of your business can be improved.

4. Lack of Support

With the growing complexity of IT infrastructure, constantly multiplying security threats, new regulation requirements, growing customer demands, and a shortage of available IT talent, businesses often face challenges in getting proper support from MSPs.

Hence, there are some cloud providers that need more documentation or support staff to navigate them.

10 Key Considerations to Hire the Right Cloud-Managed Service Provider

As businesses are moving to the cloud, choosing the right managed cloud provider is crucial for success. However, with so many options available, choosing the right provider can be an overwhelming process if you don’t have proper guidance.

So, if you have a question about what to consider when choosing a cloud provider that suits your specific needs comes with a list of considerations and steps. To help you in this process, here is a list of crucial considerations.

1. Assess Your Current IT Environment

As a business owner, you should evaluate your current infrastructure and identify any issues that may hinder your business operations. This involves assessing your hardware, software, and network infrastructure to ensure they align with industry standards. To be prepared for future growth, determining the scalability of your current infrastructure is also essential.

AWS’s cloud management services or Azure’s backup solutions are examples of tools provided by top-managed cloud service providers that can help your business keep track of potential vulnerabilities in real time while ensuring regulatory compliance.

2. Identify Business Objectives and Budget

By defining the clear business objectives for cloud services, you can ensure that you choose the right managed cloud service provider. Think whether your business needs support with backup, cloud monitoring, or other services. You should also outline budget constraints for managed cloud services before you make any further commitments.

Keep in mind that when outsourcing cloud management, it’s essential to consider the potential ROI of partnering with a cloud service provider. You can also do some research by yourself, just to look at case studies where businesses similar to yours have outsourced their IT operations successfully. This step assists in determining if outsourcing is worth the investment.

3. Evaluate the Managed Cloud Service Provider

You should evaluate a managed cloud service provider to assess their expertise and experience in managing cloud environments. Search for providers who have proven track records of successful migrations and efficient management of complex systems.

In addition, you should consider the provider’s knowledge of emerging technologies and willingness to constantly update their skills. Ensure that the Service Level Agreements (SLA) are well refined, measurable, realistic, and guarantee high availability for your critical service hosted on a cloud platform.

4. Expertise and Experience

Factors such as industry specialization, technical skills, and certifications as well as years of experience in cloud service providers are crucial factors to consider when selecting a managed cloud service provider. It is most important to look for a provider that has expertise in your specific industry as well as the technical skills required to manage your cloud infrastructure.

By considering these factors when choosing a managed cloud provider can ensure that you are partnering with experts who can provide reliable and effective solutions.

5. Security and Compliance

When it comes to ensuring the security of your managed cloud services, factors such as data encryption policies, access controls, and authentication protocols are essential. The cloud-managed service provider you are partnering with should have a comprehensive data encryption policy in place that covers both data at rest and data in transit. Further, the access controls must be rigorous enough to prevent unauthorized users from accessing valuable information stored on the cloud.

Adding authentication protocols such as two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication can add an extra layer of protection. Lastly, you must ensure that the provider has essential certifications like ISO 27018, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA.

Best Practices to Hire the Right Cloud Managed Service Provider

Today, the services offered by cloud-managed service providers are widely used for many aspects of an organization’s IT infrastructure.

They can be beneficial but business owners need to plan and choose a provider carefully to avoid squandering time, money, and talent.

So, here are some effective practices to consider when choosing a cloud provider.

1. Define Your Goals

The process of hiring the right cloud-managed service provider starts by determining the requirements, objectives, and desired outcomes of your business. As a business owner, figure out the specific areas where you need the support of a provider, whether it is cost optimization, cloud migration, security enhancements, or ongoing maintenance.

A clear understanding of your business requirements will help you hire a cloud-managed service provers that aligns with your business goals.

2. Look For Referrals

Businesses can also make efforts to find their well-wishers who have already worked with cloud-managed service providers in the past.

In order to hire the right provider, ask your friends, family, and colleagues as well and you can also ask people on social media for references to hire the trusted and solid MSPs.

3. Check Online Platforms

Online platforms such as Mobile App Daily, Clutch, GoodFirms, etc. are best for finding your right cloud service provider.

These online platforms showcase a list of the best cloud-managed service providers worldwide and are worth considering due to their global recognition and solid track record.

4. Evaluate the Expertise

When you look for a trusted cloud-managed service provider, always first do some research on their industry experience and expertise with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure. You should also look for their familiarity with your industry’s regulations and trends.

An MSP with feature-packed services and a commitment to fostering long-term partnerships is most likely the best choice for all your cloud requirements.

5. View the Portfolio

One of the best practices to consider when looking for the right cloud management service provider is looking for an updated portfolio. Their portfolio demonstrated the quality of work they offer to their clients, testifying their ability to manage your project and meet business expectations.

The portfolio of MSPs also suggests that the provider has a proven track record of handling complex cloud environments and delivering high-qaulity work for various sectors.

Conclusion

In summary, the right cloud-managed service provider ensures optimal value addition, which allows businesses to gain practical benefits from them. Starting from reducing the cost of finding IT professionals to offering you on-demand access to experienced and qualified resources, they look after almost everything.

Lastly, your business will improve with every step, and transparency will be maintained between clients and you. With this, you can finally focus on the essential aspects of operations while leaving the backend to the cloud-managed service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is a Cloud Service Provider?

Ans. A cloud service provider or CSP is an IT company that provides cloud services, generally infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), or platform as a service (PaaS).

Q2. Can Cloud-Managed Service Providers Reduce Cost?

Ans. Cloud service providers charge customers on a pay-as-you-go basis. They provide access to the resources and tools when you need them which is a great way to enable cost savings.

Q3. What should I consider while choosing a Cloud-Managed Service Provider?

Ans. When choosing a cloud-managed service provider, there are a few crucial things you need to consider to ensure optimal productivity results, which include:

» Total expertise and experience

» Security and Compliance

» Better control and reliability

» Track Record of previous projects

Q4. What are the pros of CMSPs?

Ans. The pros of hiring a cloud MSP are as follows:

» On-demand Access to Expertise

» Data loss prevention

» Cloud service integration

» Regular and Automatic Software Updates