Do I Still Need an IT Team After Moving to the Cloud?

More businesses seriously consider cloud solutions for data storage and flexibility. However, they may also ask themselves: "If I'm moving everything to the cloud, will I still need an IT provider or IT team?"

Actually, yes! Just because a business no longer has a physical server in its office does not mean that its other hardware, software, and cloud solutions don't need an IT expert to maintain IT efficiency.

Understanding Cloud Solutions

Cloud solutions use virtual servers for data storage and system solutions. They replace the need for physical servers in offices. Instead of your business data living on your office server, it lives in "the cloud," a virtual server.

Even without a physical server, offices require hardware and an internet connection. This may include routers, firewalls, switches, and even ethernet cables. This hardware will require configuration and maintenance by IT professionals to ensure they're working.

For example, your cloud solution may be excellent, but if your office's firewall is poorly configured, your connection to the cloud may be sluggish.

Do Cloud Solution Providers Take Care of My Data?

Cloud apps and storage services don't actively watch or manage your data. They do not contribute to the organization, protection, or permissions of client data. They handle the function of their specific solution. For example, Dropbox allows for data storage and sharing but is not responsible for its users' IT security tools or practices.

As a result, it is wise to have an expert configure user access permissions, how data is stored and accessed, and what IT security tools and practices are in place.

Moving to the Cloud

Moving to the cloud means shifting everything from physical servers. This is more than a simple "copy-and-paste" job, like moving a document from one folder to another on your desktop. Moving to the cloud is an incredibly complex process.

A physical server is specially programmed to suit its company's needs. This includes how much storage is needed and how data is stored and accessed.

This same kind of programming is needed for a virtual cloud server. How do your users interact with data? Who has permission to access it? How is data organized?

Cloud services do not reconstruct your server in a digital landscape. Instead, they offer you a blank canvas where you can create your virtual server.

IT professionals help with this process, creating digital servers in the cloud for easy access. It's not a simple task; it requires careful planning as part of your IT plan, thinking about the future of cloud storage for your business.

Evolving IT Services with Cloud Adoption

While removing the need for office servers, cloud solutions still require careful monitoring and tools to ensure they function efficiently and are secure.

IT providers monitor cloud services and data, ensuring cybersecurity tools are set up and working. They regularly check for risks, update software, and plan for disasters, like ensuring you have a data backup.

They also help with technical details, like how much memory your cloud needs to run smoothly. When users apply for cloud services, they need to know how much memory space they use to accomplish tasks and how much memory they may need in the future.

Using the cloud might mean fewer visits from IT professionals since they can access systems remotely. Because they are not physically in the office, cloud services do not require the same on-site maintenance as office servers.

IT providers also work together with cloud services to solve problems. They monitor things like memory use and plans for when things go wrong, ensuring your cloud runs well.

You should contact your IT team or provider if you encounter an issue with your cloud service. They would work to resolve the concern.

Your IT team will contact the cloud solution if additional expertise is required. The IT team or provider would give the cloud solution provider an exact description of the problem and how your business uses the cloud solution. The two of them work together to resolve any concerns.

Considerations Before Moving to the Cloud

While cloud solutions are certainly growing in popularity, they may not be a fit for every business.

If you recently got a new server, it might not be the best time to move to the cloud. Servers are a significant investment and often have a useful life of five years. It usually works better to move to the cloud when a server is ready to be replaced.

Consider your business size; very small companies might find regular servers a better fit financially and for functionality.

Because moving to the cloud is a major endeavor, businesses should not move during or immediately following a significant business or IT change.

Some businesses may find cloud solutions more expensive over time than physical servers, while others find them more affordable. Affordability is partly based on how much space and memory the company needs.

Your IT provider or team can analyze your IT system, use, and data needs to help recommend how cloud solutions may fit into your overall business strategy,  plans, and IT budget.

So, Is IT Needed While Using Cloud Solutions?

Cloud solutions offer data storage without an in-office server, so they do not need the same level of physical maintenance. However, they still require careful monitoring, security tools, and expert configuration.

IT providers and teams help keep your cloud environment functional, secure, and healthy. Cloud solution providers do not offer these services.

Moving to the cloud requires building virtual servers, not performed by the cloud provider but by a client’s IT team or provider.

IT providers and teams will also perform regular risk assessments to find IT risks within the cloud system. This includes system updates, proper security tools, and monitoring of all devices connected to the cloud.

Choosing a data storage system and moving your data is a significant undertaking. Before transferring files or purchasing data storage, talk to your IT provider or internal IT team. They can help you examine your existing system, work processes, dependencies, and how data storage fits your long-term goals.

If your IT provider or team does not have an updated, relevant IT roadmap for your business, this is a service red flag. This living document is crucial for your business's IT goals.

If you have additional questions about data storage and what it looks like for your business, talk to your IT provider or internal IT team. They can make recommendations based on your needs, goals, and expectations.