Cloud migration: do you need a consultant or a managed service?

External IT support can be invaluable to businesses. But should you choose a consultant or an MSP?

At Ascend Cloud Solutions, we're firm believers in flexibility. When helping businesses to migrate to the cloud, we always tailor the process to their individual needs, goals and constraints.

This means that we offer two kinds of service. Most of the time, we're cloud consultants, offering expert guidance from the outside without becoming part of the team.

But when it comes to cloud migration, we offer a managed service, too. This means that we serve as an extension to your IT department. We're on the frontline with you, making sure your cloud is performing well.

Like everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to both kinds of service. That's why we offer the best of both worlds – cloud consultancy services and a managed service for cloud migration.

In this article, we explore the difference between cloud consultants and managed services and ask: which one is right for you?

What are managed services?

When compared to legacy applications and on-prem data centres, cloud technology is cost-effective. But that doesn't mean it's cheap.

The thing is that you don't just buy the solution and then take the day off. You have to hire and train the right people and incorporate maintenance and support into your day-to-day operations.

It's possible to achieve this – but if you're on a limited budget, you can start to feel the strain.

A managed services provider (MSP) is a company brought in either as an extension of or a replacement for your IT department. In some situations, it can be more cost-effective than hiring and training an internal team.

What is a cloud consultant?

Managed service providers become part of your team. A cloud consultant, by contrast, remains on the outside looking in.

Cloud consultants are specific, targeted and solution-oriented. You give them a call when you have a specific project to complete or need guidance on a specific issue. Their technical expertise can be leveraged to write and execute a solid plan of action.

What do you need to consider when choosing between a consultant or managed services?

Like any business decision, choosing between a consultant and an MSP depends on a range of factors.

The first (and in some ways most important) factor is your current IT capabilities. How big is your team and what expertise do they have? Do they have the skills and resources you need to solve your problem?

In the case of cloud migration, this could be a case of deciding whether your team can take care of your cloud with the right expertise and a minimum of disruption.

The second thing to take into account is your business goals. From one point of view, the difference between consultation and managed services is the difference between a short-term solution and a long-term one. You need to know your short- and long-term objectives to know where this external help fits in.

Finally, there's the million-dollar question: how much cash do you have to spend? This will help you decide whether to get a one-off package of support and guidance from a consultant or long-term involvement from an MSP.

Why choose a cloud consultant?

Sometimes, managed services are best. That's why our cloud migration service is managed. It means we don't just dump your workloads on the cloud and then wander off whistling into the sunset. Instead, we go the whole hog, making sure your cloud is built to deliver peak performance.

In other cases, cloud consultancy can be best. Here are three reasons why.

1. Expertise

This is the big one. Cloud computing is a hyper-specific field of technology that's changing all the time. If your team has the expertise necessary to execute a project – great!

If not, ask yourself this. Is it worth pouring money into training an existing member of your team to the same level as a cloud consultant? Or is it better for your bottom line to get outside advice from an expert?

Cloud technology isn't easy. A cloud consultant can ensure the job is done well.

2. Advice

Do you know exactly how you want your project to be implemented, down to the last detail? If the answer is yes, you're probably working in cloud technology and not reading this article at all.

But if the answer is no, you're not alone. Like many businesses, you need a cloud consultant to help implement the project in line with your short- and long-term business goals.

This can be invaluable whether you're pitching a project to management or in charge of making it happen. Clarity is all: without it, you might as well chuck your existing data centre into the Liffey. 

We exaggerate. But seriously, getting good advice can be the difference between levelling up and a cloud-shaped albatross around your neck.

3. Savings

There are many compelling reasons why you should move to the cloud. But the one that comes up again and again is that the cloud is more cost-effective than on-prem solutions.

But like so many things in life, it's only cost-effective if you execute it well. Cloud shock is real: so real we've written about it in detail. One of the easiest ways to avoid it is by working with an experienced cloud consultant.

Conclusion

When you have a cloud project in mind, choosing between a cloud consultant and a managed service provider depends on your goals, your budget and your existing capabilities.

At Ascend Cloud Solutions, we offer managed cloud migration services to help you get the best out of your move to the cloud. But we also offer one-off guidance for cloud projects.

When deciding what you want, your best bet is to get in touch and talk about your project. That way, you can be sure you're getting the service that's best for you.

Interested? Then do get in touch – we'd love to talk you through your options.