Anyone who is remotely involved in business management software these days has cloud on their mind. Whether you are a VAR, ISV or a small business using enterprise resource planning or any number of different solutions, cloud is a hot topic. But not all hosting services are created equally, so choosing the right cloud partner is one of the critical decisions business leaders of today must make. Serious cloud vendors will be committed to investing time, money and resources into improving cloud technologies as well as being dedicated to supporting their partners through the cloud services implementation. In this blog series we will look at some of the key considerations for selecting cloud hosting partners. In this first installment we will look at how to avoid cloud hosting failure from the solution providers perspective.
It isn’t just the end user who benefits from an industry leading cloud hosting service. Partners and solution providers who are able to offer cloud-deployment increase their reach while saving on overhead.
For many partners the biggest fear is that a cloud vendor they partner with might subvert their end-goal by competing directly with them on price point, services and other aspects of the deal. It is a valid concern, but one that can be avoided by selecting a vendor who offers a strong level transparency and open lines of communication.
Start by looking at the organizational structure of the company. Obviously the technology is important, but everyone knows technology is only as good as the people who use it. Hosting providers with complicated corporate hierarchy are less likely to provide quality after-sale services and are more likely to be a challenge just to get someone on the phone who is familiar with your needs. Having a dedicated point of content will give you the personal connection you need to feel confident that the relationship is mutually beneficial.
Lack of communication from a vendor is a big sign that there might be some shady dealings in the future, and a sure sign of cloud hosting failure. Vendors who fail to return phone calls or regularly have unacceptable delays in response time to your attempts to contact them probably do not have your best interests in mind. Keep a close watch on the communications from the first point of contact and keep your tolerance for such delays extremely low.
This can all be vetted by looking at track record. Hosting providers with a proven track record of strong service to an active client base is critical. Choosing a hosting provider that is run by a well-known industry figure is a quick way to determine that the company is reliable. If the company is cagey about providing references and proof of track record, you should probably look elsewhere. Further, vendors who invest in trusted products like Microsoft Dynamics GP, for example, show their commitment to quality right out of the gate. Transparency and communication with your vendor is a critical component to avoiding cloud hosting failure.
Check back soon for the next blog in the series when we will cover the value a vendor who is committed to invest in cloud improvement.
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