Steps to Implementing a Cloud Computing strategy

  1. You must be absolutely clear as to why you are considering a Cloud deployment. Make sure that terms are defined, objectives and SLAs are clear and that all parties know exactly what is expected and ensure that the quality of service (QoS) delivered is not only of a very high standard but consistent.
  2. Ensure that your company has enough bandwidth (Internet access) available to be able to run applications via the Cloud smoothly and quickly. Without the right amount of bandwidth, the services can become slow and will start to frustrate users.
  3. Identify and assess any potential risks. How will the supplier organisation manage and deal with these? What contingency plans are put in place?
  4. You need to make a balance in agreeing the scope and length of any agreement. 3 years is fine, ten years can be too long. It must have long enough time to make a difference and short enough to remain flexible.
  5. The agreement should allow you flexibility to change certain areas of the agreement especially when it comes to an exit.
  6. Transitions plan. You will need to work with the service company to fully work out how the software and services will be transferred and over what period of time.
  7. You must communicate internally, i.e. within your organisation as soon as you consider changing models. People need to know how it may or might affect them and the way in which they work. While in reality the changes and impact are minimal, people will prefer if they know what and why is going on.
  8. Compliance. If your organisation is effected by for example legislation or codes of conduct such as Sarbanes-Oxley, this must be considered and be potentially written in to any agreement that they will comply. Remember that the Data Protection Act needs to be considered for other personal data too.
  9. Risk management. You need to consider the possibility that should your internet connection is affected by a problem then you won’ have access to your software and other services. You will need a recovery plan or contingency plan in place to cover this eventuality.