What Are Managed Cloud Services? A Guide for Modern IT Leaders

Running your own cloud can be a challenge. IT teams have to update servers, fix security issues, and manage costs, which can lead to downtime or data breaches if something goes wrong.

Much like application support services, managed cloud services help by letting experts handle it. They make sure cloud tools like storage or apps work well together, so your team can focus on new ideas instead of problems. They help keep your data safe in the cloud and make budgeting easier with predictable costs.

Why choose managed cloud services? They help your business grow easily, work efficiently, and handle sudden demands. Whether you are in retail, healthcare, or manufacturing, this approach simplifies your IT approach and boosts results. Read on to learn how cloud-based managed services can improve your business and make sure things go well for a long time to come.

How do managed cloud services work?

The benefit is clear: Managed cloud services take the burden off your IT team, enable predictable costs, enhance security, and increase accessibility, delivering expertise across different cloud models and stages, making sure your technology supports your goals. And there are many types of cloud services available, each of which works in slightly different ways while delivering the same basic benefits.

This article explores the types of services and key components involved, so you can decide what may best fit your business needs.

Types of managed cloud services

Cloud-based managed services typically come in three main “flavors,” each offering unique benefits.

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS gives you the basics of cloud computing — servers, storage, and networking — without needing to manage real hardware. Your provider takes care of maintenance, backups, and more, so your IT team can relax. For example, a toy store can add more server power for holiday sales without buying new machines. IaaS is flexible but usually requires some internal tech know-how to set up apps, for example.
   
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS gives you a ready-made setup for building and launching apps. You get tools, databases, and frameworks, and the provider handles the tech stuff underneath. This allows you to focus on building new tools without worrying about server updates. PaaS is great for businesses that want to make custom apps quickly.
   
• Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS gives you fully managed apps, like email or customer tools, that you use through a web browser. The provider handles updates, security, and performance. For example, a doctor’s office using a patient app wouldn’t need to fix software bugs—that would be handled by their SaaS provider.

What’s included in managed cloud services?

Managed cloud services cover everything you need to make your cloud work, from start to finish.

Cloud strategy development

A good plan is where it all starts. Providers look at your current tech, future goals, and budgets to make a custom cloud plan. This might mean picking IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS, or a mix thereof. For example, an organization might move its business apps to the cloud but keep private data in-house.

Cloud migration

Moving to the cloud can be tough, but cloud migration done well keeps things smooth. Providers plan out moving your data, apps, and work systems step-by-step. A bank might move its customer records first, testing everything to avoid mistakes. Be sure your provider has the cloud migration expertise to ensure nothing breaks during the move.

Cloud management

Once your cloud is running, it needs to be consistently managed. This means checking speed, fixing security issues, and keeping workflows connected. If a store’s online shop slows down, a provider adds more power to its cloud to help keep the transactions flowing.

These pieces work together to make your cloud easy, so your team can focus on big ideas instead of tech problems.

Why do organizations need managed cloud services?

Running a cloud on your own can be like trying to fix a broken bike while riding it —  stressful and risky. Managed cloud services ensure experts are always at the reins so your team can focus on your business instead of your cloud. For stakeholders, these services are often a game-changer, making your tech stronger while concurrently freeing up your human resources. And then there is the overarching cloud expertise: your cloud team should be continually growing and learning, tapping into new cloud technologies and strategies to ensure clients are always using the latest and greatest. Here are a few more reasons why an organization would consider outsourcing cloud management to a partner.

Resiliency

When your tech stops working, it can be a disaster — like a store closing on the busiest shopping day. A cloud service management company’s number one job is to keep your systems running (typically, backed by a binding SLA—service level agreement), so they will leverage all tools, such as backup systems and extra servers, to keep things running.

Robust governance

Without rules, your cloud can turn into a mess, like a team with no coach. You might lose data or even get in legal trouble. Managed services set up clear rules to keep everything safe and legal, like following HIPAA for doctors’ offices.

Sustainability

Old-school tech, like big server rooms, uses tons of power, which is costly and not necessarily environmentally friendly. Managed cloud services use shared systems that save energy, like carpooling instead of driving alone.

Scalability

A business can sometimes outgrow its platform in a matter of days, but with cloud-based managed services, you can never really outgrow your tech as it scales along with your business. It works the other way, too, say, for seasonal businesses. An online flower seller may need 10x the bandwidth around Valentine’s Day that it does the rest of the year—a cloud partner helps them easily add and remove that bandwidth, add licenses, and more.

Improved productivity

When your tech team is stuck fixing servers, they can’t work on value-add projects. Managed services take over the platform issues so your team can focus on build new apps or improving workflows. A doctor’s office, for example, could have its tech team create a better check-in system instead of messing with server updates.

For these reasons and more, managed cloud services are a must in successful digital transformation strategies.

How to get started with cloud managed services

Jumping into a managed services cloud deployment is like starting any big project — you need a clear plan. Without a plan, you will likely waste time and money while driving toward a system that doesn’t work right. Work with an experienced partner who can help you dive deep into the data, evaluate the market, and assess your specific strategy to build a custom plan for cloud services. Here are a few more tips on ensuring your plan is foolproof.

Evaluate your existing infrastructure and goals

First, figure out what you are working with. Look at your current tech ecosystem — computers, apps, and how your team works. Is your online store slow when lots of people shop? Are you spending too much on old servers? Document what’s not working and think about what you want: maybe faster customer service or lower costs.

Using enterprise architecture frameworks, you can decide what tech stays in your office and what moves to the cloud. For example, a sports equipment store might keep its payment system in-house for safety but move its website to the cloud for speed.

Choose the right managed cloud partner

Picking the right partner is critical. You want an experienced team that understands your industry. Your cloud partner should offer managed services that include everything—setting up the cloud, moving your data, and keeping it all running while disrupting your business as little as possible. Ask for proof, like client references from other businesses they have helped.

Outline your strategy

Now, make a game plan. This means figuring out how to keep your cloud safe, make sure it’s always working, and it can handle growth. For safety, you need security measures—like passwords and data protection. A hospital, for example, needs its patient records super secure to follow rules like HIPAA.

Next, set rules for how fast your cloud should respond. If your app crashes, how quickly will your partner fix it? (This should all be included in your SLA.)

Finally, decide who does what—your team might handle some apps, while your partner takes care of the cloud’s tech stuff. The proper cloud enablement strategy can help a delivery company, for instance, move its tracking system to the cloud step-by-step, so nothing breaks. A clear plan keeps everyone on the same page and makes your cloud work smoothly.

Collaborate, benchmark, and continuously optimize

Once your cloud is up and running, it’s time to ensure peak performance: today, tomorrow, always. Again, planning is key as you establish critical KPIs for performance. (Fortunately, there is a framework for benchmarking in managed services you may leverage.) After all the cloud — like any business technology — only benefits from oversight, maintenance, and optimization.

Explore what a managed cloud partnership can unlock for you

A managed cloud services partner is not simply an implementer: they should be an ongoing resource to help you get more from your infrastructure investments, finding new ways to save you time, reduce costs, and keep your business healthy, agile, and competitive. Argano’s cloud team will help you focus on big ideas, instead just “tech support.”

Where are you in your cloud journey?  Are you ready for a partner that will empower you with a cloud solution custom-fit to your business? Contact us to keep moving onward and upward, and to get more from the cloud.