Cloud computing , whether Amazon Web Services or Azure, is one of the most talked topic in IT and business today. The advantages of using the cloud for smooth and efficient operation of your business, is the driving factor for its success. This growing interest is not limited to IT and business units, with even non-IT users reaping the benefits of cloud based services. But having a Cloud exit strategy is also essential if it all turns dark and stormy.
While uploading applications and data to the cloud is quick and easy, taking it out will take longer. Declouding or Uncloud is the removal of applications and data from a cloud computing platform. It involves mapping the application’s dependencies within the cloud vendor’s infrastructure, and locating all instances of the customer’s data.
Decoupling from Cloud or Uncloud – Are you ready?
Do you have an Cloud Exit Strategy in place? It might seem ridiculous to consider how one should migrate from a technology before it is even implemented, but when it comes to the cloud, being able to get your data out is just as important as getting it in. It’s about choice and control.
Well, having a sound exit plan makes sense, given the volatile nature of cloud.
There might be many reasons cited by organizations for moving their data back to on-premises. The top reasons for wanting to decouple or uncloud, including
- Concerns related to cost, compliance, security, data sovereignty
- Difficulty integrating cloud-based applications with on-premises business intelligence (BI) applications and data.
- Thinking that that the cloud provider they choose right now is the right provider for the next five to 10 years. This is false, as emerging technologies like cloud computing, is always changing. You need to keep sight of this trend before signing up for a particular cloud provider.
An example often cited is that of Nirvanix, a public cloud storage provider, which declared bankruptcy in 2013, resulting a major overhaul in the way organizations formulated their cloud exit strategies. Customers had less than one month to transfer their terabytes of data accumulated over the years.
Checklist for a sound exit strategy
Any IT decision-makers should use the following as a checklist to ensure that they have a clear exit strategy from the cloud:
- A standard operating environment, which should be in place well before cloud computing is considered. This gives consistency across operations and provides much more portable “interchangeable parts” for cloud and on-premise applications.
- Consistent management and monitoring strategiesthat allow the IT teams to monitor what’s happening in the cloud as easily as on-premise activities. They need to be able to manage it consistently, which makes it much easier to incorporate and switch services.
- Control over your data, which specifies how the data will be moved from the cloud, while maintaining data integrity and security. Budgets should be designed for putting data in and pulling data out of a cloud.
- Service Level Agreements with clear inputs regarding all the aspects related to data transfer out of the cloud for the different cloud services- SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS.
- Alternate Providers whose cloud services are suitable for your cloud business needs and requirements.
Instead of repenting later, it is wise to have a cloud exit plan in place in case it doesn’t work out with your present cloud provider.
At Sysfore, we will provide you’re a free assessment on how to leverage the Cloud Power and also give a clear Road map for your cloud implementation. We will also provide a proper exit strategy which is compatible for your business needs.
You can contact us at info@sysfore.com or call us at +91-80-4110-5555, and we’ll get in touch with you.