Cloud is cool - but cloud can also present some dangers and pitfalls.

My 3 top priorities when it comes to Cloud solutions.
Nowadays, everyone uses SAAS (Software as a Service) - including us at AGILIS. It is very easy and tempting to sign up for a new service or software you just found on the Internet to cover an urgent need. But over time, this ad hoc approach can cause massive problems: data breaches, confusion, data redundancies, loss of control over credit card charges, and so on.

Here are a few tips from our practice on how to get the phenomenon of ‘cloud tools’ under control:

  1. Keep a close eye on your real business needs and always check if the SAAS solution you consider buying answers a punctual or a structural requirement. For punctual needs, think twice if there is no already existing alternative within your portfolio and limit your exposure (data, credit card, etc.). For structural needs, consider the introduction of a cloud solution like a small project and think about the solution lifecycle, as well as your general requirements (data protection, organisational alignment, interfaces, education, process integration, etc.).

  2. Use cloud management tools - they help you get the most out of your cloud solutions by simplifying deployment, monitoring, and billing. Implement a good practice to ensure that all cloud subscriptions are adequately captured across the entire team.

  3. Think about your data - which often is much more important as an asset than a software solution. Hence, you should on one side make sure that you are not introducing any data breaches with new cloud solutions, and on the other side think about what happens if a cloud solution provider gets hacked or ceases to operate. It is a good practice to develop a disaster recovery plan that protects your data in the long run.

Obviously, there is much more to say, but these 3 points are my personal top priorities.

Would you like to learn more how to manage cloud tools from an organisational and technical standpoint? Contact me, I'll be happy to share more best practices.
 
Christophe
28.05.2023
Christophe Berger
Christophe is founder and CEO of AGILIS. In his twenties, Christophe founded an IT Services company that he grew over 13 years before selling it to a multinational group that he joined as manager. Although he is currently focusing on management consulting, his DNA lies in the digital world.