Cloud service solutions provide significant benefits to companies of all sizes, but a recent study shows that less than 10% of organizations believe their IT infrastructure is ready to address cloud storage. In the past, the responsibility fell on the IT department. Business decision makers now feel that the cloud is critical to the success of their businesses for a number of reasons.

Cloud storage offers a better perspective. In a world filled with structured and increasingly unstructured data, 54% of leading organizations are using analytics to gain insights from Big Data, helping them target customer and product opportunities more effectively.

Cloud storage helps collaboration. Cloud computing allows work to be accessed from multiple devices and from anywhere, which in turn makes it much easier for teams to work with shared data.

Cloud computing drives better engagement. As the focus of business decision makers shift from cost efficiencies in their back-office systems to improvements in their engagement systems, the cloud is often seen as the most effective means of forging a deeper bond with the client.

High speed! 52% of leading organizations are turning to the cloud to drive faster product and service innovation.
What should a small or medium business consider before moving to the cloud?

While many of these benefits can be achieved with minimal up-front investment, companies shouldn't rush to move entire companies to the cloud right away. Here are some tips for implementing both internal and external cloud solutions:

- Set clear goals. It may seem obvious, but many IT projects start without clear business objectives. Any cloud solution should start with an agreement between the business sponsor and the implementation team regarding the scope, timeline, phases, and expected results of the project.
- Consider when to integrate existing data and systems. Cloud storage offers simplicity and speed of deployment. Look to initially focus on new projects with a direct impact on customer engagement. Also, remember that a cloud service is only as good as the data it provides, so be careful not to underestimate the importance of data cleansing.
- Find solutions online and get started for free. Several studies have shown that around three-quarters of leading companies begin their search for cloud computing online, even before contacting a provider. Additionally, most cloud service providers offer free trials to help you evaluate their solutions and compare them to alternatives in your environment.
- Consider all costs, not just the initial purchase price. Some providers, particularly in the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) market, say they have lowered the price of their cloud services. While this may work as part of the provider´s marketing strategy, it is not entirely true. What is often not detailed are lifetime costs, particularly when a project or service begins to scale.

Communication costs within the network, for example, are charged as a separate expense by some providers. This can be up to half of the total cost of the service, so make sure you have the full picture before making a decision.