Ten Things to Consider Before You Jump into the Cloud

These ten steps will help organizations achieve even better results when searching for a cloud-centric procurement process.

1. Cloud Computer is Different
The cloud computing standard commercial delivery model is fundamentally different to the traditional model for IT purchases on-premises. This difference can help you design a more efficient procurement model. IaaS cloud services eliminate the customer’s need for physical assets.

2. Cloud Computing: Make a Plan Now to Get the Most Out of It
Participation of all stakeholders early in the process is key to a successful cloud strategy. In order to promote innovation and educate staff about the benefits of cloud technology, institutional knowledge is key.

3. Avoid imposing too many requirements
Public sector stakeholders who are involved in cloud procurements need to ask the right questions in order to find the best solutions. Cloud procurement strategies that work are focused on performance-based, application-level requirements that prioritize workloads and results.

4. Managed Services and Separate Cloud Infrastructure
There is a distinction between procuring cloud infrastructure (IaaS), procuring labor to use cloud infrastructure, or managed services such as Software as a Service. Cloud procurements that are successful separate cloud infrastructure from managed services, labor, and “hands-on keyboard” services is called “successful cloud procurements.”

5. Incorporate a Utility Pricing model
Cloud computing is not as simple as fixed-price contracting. You need a contract that allows you to pay for services as you use them.

6. Use Third-Party Accreditations to Secure, Privacy, and Auditing
By leveraging industry best practices in security, privacy, auditing, and auditing, you can be sure that your organization has effective physical and logical security measures in place. This helps to avoid unnecessary burdensome approval processes and duplicate workflows that are often not justified by compliance and real risk.

7. Understanding that security is a shared responsibility
Cloud computing customers build systems on a cloud infrastructure. This means that security and compliance responsibilities will be shared by cloud consumers and service providers.

8. Cloud Data Governance: Design and Implementation
Organizations should have full control over their data. They can choose the locations where they store their data. CSP identity and access controls are available to limit access to customer infrastructure.

9. Specify the Commercial Item Terms
Cloud computer should only be purchased as a commercial item. Organizations should consider which terms and condition are appropriate in this context.

10. Define Cloud Evaluation Criteria
Cloud evaluation criteria should be focused on system performance requirements. To take advantage of the cloud’s cost efficiency, elasticity, and rapid scaling, you should select the right CSP from an established resource source.