How to Mitigate the Problems and Costs of Cloud Service Vendor Lock In

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Mitigating the Problems and Costs of Cloud Service Vendor

Lock In

There are LOTS of reasons you may need to switch cloud providers…

To get access to new or better features, capabilities, or regions.

To address new compliance needs.

To get better service.

To get better pricing.

The impetus to switch cloud providers may even be driven from OUTSIDE your company.

A Merger or acquisition my drive the need to consolidate services or providers.

Discontinued Services

Providers may discontinue services you need…• Providers offer

commodities.• Services that aren’t in

demand will be discontinued.

If you need the service, you’ll have to find and implement a replacement, or switch providers.

In time, it’s likely that enough changes will occur that you will have to move cloud providers.

Vendor lock in problems aren’t an if, they’re a when.

The Problem: Your organization becomes dependent on a cloud vendor • Tools and process changes• Data storage• Proprietary technologies• Technology choices

You may need to move LOTS of data…• Many providers offer bulk

data migration into their clouds.

• Few have option for moving it out…

Moving terabytes of data can be inconvenient at best, and time consuming and costly at worst.

Proprietary Services are a value add from any provider.• Messaging, queuing,

notification and other services.

They integrate seamlessly, and scale well with the provider’s other services.

Moving providers will require that new services be implemented to replace them.

It may also require substantial rewrites of application code…

Technologies available from one provider may not be available from others• OS versions• Databases• Third party integrations

These issues add layers of complexity that must be considered when switching providers.

Mitigate the impact of vendor lock in by planning for it, and training staff to deal with it.

If you don't train or prepare for lock in you can be blindsided by the three main problems of vendor lock in…

Expense: costs to move or consolidate cloud services.• Companies that casually

adopt cloud services as they grow.

• Companies that don't train or prepare for vendor lock in.

Time: you may have to move on a time line that is not of your creation.• Monitoring will help you see

changes coming.• Preparation with ensure you

have contingencies in place.

Seamless Transition: employees, clients, and partners need access.• To infrastructure,

applications, and tools. • Without access, your

business is at risk.

Regardless: ask the right questions as soon as possible:• How can data be migrated off a

provider's system?• Are any exit migration services

available?

Training is the best way to mitigate the problems of vendor lock in…

Training gives your IT staff the skills to:• Plan properly• Compare providers for lock in

issues• Identify options (both provider

and third party) that might mitigate vendor lock in

Trained staff are the best way to mitigate the impact of vendor lock in.• Your plan and options will need

to change as your company evolves and technologies change

Well trained staff that understands vendor lock in issues, can stay on top it, investigate new technology options, and keep your plan up to date.

What are you waiting for?

Turn up your cloud computer expertise, and learn how to mitigate vendor lock in.See our class schedule & class descriptions: http://carvertc.com/class-schedule

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