How Does a Cloud Consultant Add Value to your IT Operations?

The IT landscape is constantly evolving with newer technologies boasting innovative trends. This creates complexities for companies as they struggle to gauge which trends are the ones for them. A cloud consultant is a professional who has in-depth knowledge of the cloud domain. Leveraging the expertise of a such professional can be lucrative for IT operations.

Who is a Cloud Consultant?

Cloud consultant informs businesses about cloud computing services and helps them make decisions to improve operations. These professionals have extensive technical knowledge and play a vital role in cloud-based solutions. Moreover, they are also responsible for explaining various cloud computing services and their advantages to stakeholders. They provide advice on application design, infrastructure, and development.

Responsibilities of Cloud Consultants

Depending on their position in the company, cloud consultants can take up various tasks including:

• Integrate and customize the cloud infrastructure to align with the client’s goals.
• Analyze data to understand and propose cost-efficient and reliable cloud solutions.
• Use cloud services to develop cloud migration policies.
• Perform migration of legacy systems to the cloud.
• Assist in selecting the right platform to design application architecture.
• Ensure the efficient usage of cloud storage services.
• Determine which workloads and applications are appropriate for cloud operations.
• Provide managed services to make sure that cloud workloads are running seamlessly.

Business Areas Where Cloud Consultants Can Boost IT Operations

Cloud Migration

Migrating legacy systems to the cloud manually is not the most efficient way due to challenges including downtime and data loss. Not to mention the increased cost faced by companies because of these inefficiencies. This is where the expertise of cloud consultants can be crucial for companies. These professionals help companies with cloud strategy consulting services to create an all-encompassing migration plan that caters to the organization’s objectives. A strategic approach can significantly reduce downtime and boost the cloud environment.

Analyzation and Optimization of Infrastructure

Managing an on-premises infrastructure is challenging and expensive. How does a cloud consultant help in improving efficiency?

Cloud consultants perform a thorough assessment of the current infrastructure, highlight roadblocks, and provide cloud strategy consulting services. These services are customized to minimize the challenges and improve overall efficiency. Additionally, their assessment is also directed towards improving performance and security measures.

Effective Implementation of Cloud-Native Technologies

To sustain in the cut-throat competitive world, businesses must stay on top of the latest trends. Cloud-native technology is one such trend that is rapidly being adopted. The latest survey predicts that by 2025, 85% of new enterprise applications will be cloud native. This is why many companies are hiring cloud consultants to ensure a seamless transition. Through proper assessments, these professionals can determine which cloud services are right for you. Determining the right technologies to use can help lower operational and development costs and enhance operational efficiency.

Guiding DevOps Implementation and Automation

If your goal is to streamline IT processes with maximum accuracy and efficiency, you must consider automation. Cloud consultants can help identify the right technology to optimize your existing process. They can examine various tools to understand which requires more resources and takes up more power. Their analysis can be crucial in integrating DevOps and deciding on automation tools for more robust software delivery cycles.

What to Look for in a Cloud Consultant?

Proven Experience

A proven work portfolio will allow you to gauge the expertise and skills that the cloud consultant holds. Additionally, you will be able to check the kind of project they have worked on and whether it aligns with the kind of work you have lined up for them.

Knowledge of Compliance

There is a set of rules on how you can transfer and share data on the cloud. Cloud consultants must have a strong knowledge of these rules based on cloud providers. They must stay updated regarding changes in the rules and regulations to ensure maximum compliance.

Strong Industry Know-Hows

Every company has its unique operations and goals. So, the cloud consultant you hire should have good knowledge of how to create customized cloud computing solutions for your industry.

Strong Security Measures

Rising security threats have become one of the grave concerns for companies worldwide. When looking for cloud consultants for your company, you must understand the security measures they can implement to protect the data. They must know all the security measures including intrusion detection and Prevention Systems, multi-factor authentication, data encryption, enterprise-grade firewalls, and access control systems.

Conclusion

Cloud is the new destination to conduct business. 80% of organizations are using more than one private or public cloud. With the right cloud consultant by your side, you can significantly boost your IT operations, navigate the complexities of the cloud world, and fortify security.