Migrating to cloud storage offers several benefits, such as accessibility outside the office, improved security, lower costs and the ability to collaborate with others.

If your business is considering using cloud storage, you want to work with an IT provider who knows what they’re doing. Here are some important tips that can help you avoid any surprises and ensure that everything works smoothly during the process.

1. Know about the services available

Just because you’re moving your data to the cloud doesn’t mean it’s going into a random service. Make sure you have an idea of what cloud service you want to migrate to based on the features that suit your business most. For example, Microsoft Office 365 is one of the more popular choices, as is Google Apps. You may also have heard of business solutions offered by other storage providers, such as Dropbox.

Each service has their advantages and disadvantages, so it is helpful to think about the one that will be right for you and your business. For example, if you’re already using Microsoft Office, migrating to Office 365 would be a good option.

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2. Think about the data to migrate

Migrating your data isn’t always as simple as handing over all of it over to an IT specialist and then uploading it to the cloud. If you’re migrating large volumes of information such as terabytes (TB), you won’t be able to do it all at once.

Consider a transition plan that will separate the migration into stages. That way, you can make the process as painless as possible for clients, employees and the cloud provider.

3. Back up your data before you do anything

Glitches and errors occur when you least expect them. Before you even think about moving your data, secure it safely with a comprehensive back up. That way, you won’t risk losing anything in the migration process.

4. Plan for disruption

While you may have backups of your data, any transition will cause a disruption in operations. Whether it’s having to learn about the new cloud service or temporarily losing access to data, all involved parties should be aware of the change.

While cloud systems are great, a complete reliance on them could be disastrous. Cover your bases so that, in the event of your service being down or the cloud being inaccessible, you don’t lose access to your data. Establish a plan for what to do in this situation and have an on-site copy of the cloud data so you’re never left in the dark.

At IT Switch, we minimise disruption to your business by migrating data outside of your business hours. We are also able to run your old service while updating the cloud service, which allows you to work while the process is going.

Migrating data to the cloud is a big move and you need a trusted partner who is willing to work with you. If you’re thinking about migrating to the cloud, call IT Switch today and we’ll go over your needs together.