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Managed Cloud Services: Definition, Key Features And Provider Selection Tips

Managed Cloud Services: Definition, Key Features And Provider Selection Tips


Managed cloud services have become highly popular due to their specific range of business benefits. This article will explore managed cloud services (definition). It will provide an explanation of what they are, why they’ve become popular, and what to consider when implementing them.

What are managed cloud services (definition)?

To a certain extent, the answer to the question “What are managed cloud services (definition)?” is self-explanatory. They are cloud services that are managed by a third party. As is generally the case, however, the answer to the question “What are managed cloud services (definition)?” can be a lot more nuanced.

In particular, there can be significant differences in the nature of the relationship between the businesses that use managed cloud services and the vendors that run them.

At one end of the scale, there are public cloud services. With these, vendors typically provide a range of standard services. Businesses mostly just choose what they need from them. Larger businesses may qualify for a certain level of bespoke service. They will not, however, usually have a particularly close working relationship with the vendor.

Going to the other end of the scale, there are also managed cloud service providers who offer a bespoke service that caters to their clients’ specific needs. To do this, they need to understand what their clients’ needs are and hence how their business operates. These vendors will generally run private clouds. They may also manage their clients’ use of public clouds.

Key features of managed cloud services

Managed cloud services provide a very specific range of benefits. Here are the five main benefits that have made them popular with businesses.

Security and compliance

Managed cloud services provide robust security measures and ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations. The service provider takes care of the security of the infrastructure, applications, and data, including vulnerability management, access controls, and data encryption.

Monitoring and management

Managed cloud services offer round-the-clock monitoring and management of the cloud infrastructure and applications. They use advanced tools and technologies to detect and fix issues before they turn into significant problems, ensuring high availability, reliability, and performance.

Scalability and flexibility

Managed cloud services allow businesses to scale their IT resources based on their changing needs. The service provider offers flexible and scalable solutions, enabling businesses to quickly and easily adapt to market demands, seasonality, or unexpected changes.

Support and maintenance

Managed cloud services providers offer comprehensive support and maintenance services, including troubleshooting, patch management, upgrades, and backups. They ensure that the cloud infrastructure and applications are always up-to-date, secure, and operating efficiently.

Cost-effective

Managed cloud services provide cost-effective solutions that help businesses reduce their IT costs and optimize their IT spending. By outsourcing their cloud management and maintenance tasks to a reliable service provider, businesses can eliminate the need for costly in-house IT staff, hardware, and software. Additionally, service providers can leverage their expertise, economies of scale, and best practices to deliver efficient and cost-effective solutions.

Choosing a managed cloud services provider

The nature of managed cloud services means that your experience of them will generally depend greatly on your managed cloud services provider. Here are five important points you should consider when choosing one.

Expertise and experience

When choosing a managed cloud services provider, it’s essential to consider their expertise and experience. The provider should have a proven track record of delivering high-quality services and expertise in the relevant technologies and platforms. Look for providers who have experience in your industry and can offer customized solutions to meet your specific requirements.

Service level agreements (SLAs)

Managed cloud service providers commit to delivering a specific level of service and performance standards through Service Level Agreements (SLAs). It’s crucial to scrutinize the provider’s SLAs to ensure they align with your business needs. Look for providers with high availability, response times, and uptime guarantees in their SLAs.

Availability and reliability

Given the significance of managed cloud services to business operations, it’s crucial to select a provider that ensures high availability and reliability. Look for providers that offer redundant systems, multiple data centers, and 24/7 support to guarantee seamless service delivery. Also, prioritize providers with robust disaster recovery plans to guarantee business continuity in the event of unforeseen incidents.

Support and maintenance

Managed cloud services require ongoing support and maintenance. Choose a provider that offers comprehensive support and maintenance services, including monitoring, patching, upgrades, and backups. Additionally, ensure that the provider offers timely and effective customer support and has a reliable communication channel in place.

Cost and scalability

Managed cloud services should provide cost-effective solutions that align with your business objectives. Choose a provider that offers transparent pricing models, with no hidden fees. Additionally, ensure that the provider can scale their services up or down based on your changing needs, allowing you to pay only for the resources you use.

Read more:

Securing Your Cloud: The Importance of Effective Cloud Risk Assessment
How Secure Is The Cloud? – What You Need To Know

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