Managed cloud services: The benefits of outsourcing cloud management
With managed cloud services, organizations can outsource a part (or all) of cloud management to a specialized vendor. For example, Maxima Consulting’s clients in the banking, insurance, and logistics industries utilize our Global Delivery Model to ensure the success of their cloud migration and implementation projects or benefit from excellent cloud maintenance services.
Read this article to learn what types of cloud services are usually contracted out, the pros and cons of such an approach, and when a company should consider working with a managed cloud service provider. But first, let’s establish what a managed cloud service means.
What is a managed cloud service exactly?
Managed services are a type of outsourcing service where a client company contracts out the responsibility to manage and maintain a business process. Usually, organizations utilize such services to fight talent shortages in technology positions, improve operations, and enable cost savings.
Managed cloud services are digital transformation services that enable companies to utilize cloud resources and infrastructure with the support of an external vendor rather than employing a team to manage said cloud solutions in-house.
Why use managed cloud services?
When it comes to public cloud, organizations can choose from multiple providers, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, but private and hybrid cloud solutions are getting increasingly popular. Managed service providers are usually responsible for migrating traditional IT infrastructure solutions to a cloud environment of choice and maintaining it afterward so the internal IT teams of a client company can focus on the core business.
Maxima Consulting functions as a specialized managed cloud service provider for enterprises in many industries, with our expert consultants working on multiple migration, configuration, and maintenance projects in environments delivered by both private and public cloud service providers. While we don’t provide our own infrastructure (data centers etc.), our expert consultants are responsible for the complete management of cloud resources to ensure the infrastructure always satisfies our clients’ business needs.
Other examples of managed services in IT
IT service providers have various specializations and offer miscellaneous tech-related services. For example, Maxima Consulting has extensive experience providing cost-effective Quality Assurance & Software Testing, Maintenance & Support, and Infrastructure & Operations as a managed service.
Cloud services overview
Infrastructure as a Service
IaaS is a pay-as-you-go service where at least some of your company’s infrastructure, such as storage and computing power, is provided by a third-party vendor on an “as-needed” basis. You only pay for the resources you really use.
Platform as a Service
PaaS is an integrated approach to cloud infrastructure, where the provider hosts both hardware and software a client company can access via the internet.
Software as a Service
SaaS is when a provider manages a complete application and delivers it to client companies via a web browser (no installation needed), taking full responsibility for all required updates and quality assurance.
Site Reliability Engineering as a Service
SRE as a Service is a unique cloud service by Maxima Consulting. Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), which utilizes software and automation tools to bridge the gap between development and operations teams, is provided to companies in an “as-a-service” model.
Cloud migration projects
Before an enterprise can benefit from the scalability, better security, and improved availability of cloud services, it usually needs to migrate its data from traditional infrastructure to the cloud. Migration projects are complex and often outsourced, as they necessitate combining niche expertise of legacy solutions and proficiency in modern cloud computing services.
Cloud maintenance projects
Specialized vendors are often also responsible for cloud configuration, monitoring, and optimization down the road. They ensure that security and compliance standards are met and that the performance is efficient. They also support client’s cloud-native applications or data analytics processes to run well no matter the workloads while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Cloud security solutions
While cloud services provide many benefits to companies, they also require strict security measures to safeguard valuable data but maintain its availability to remote employees. Both talent shortage and cost optimization efforts drive many organizations to include outsourced security experts in their cloud strategy.
Maxima Consulting’s Cutting-Edge AppZ Cloud Platform
Maxima Consulting offers managed cloud services for companies of all sizes, and the same goes for our cutting-edge cloud platform AppZ. This low-touch software solution was created to support organizations in automating their SRE, DevOps, and SysAdmin tasks, as well as for designing and managing cloud infrastructure to leverage all benefits of their cloud resources.
Maxima Consulting's Global Delivery Model
Maxima Consulting utilizes a Global Delivery Model to provide cloud implementation, optimization, maintenance assistance, and other affiliated cloud managed services. Our expert cloud consultants enable enterprises to enjoy the benefits of modern cloud infrastructure with minimal stakeholder engagement. With the Global Delivery Model, companies can employ consultants from around the world. Depending on an organization’s requirements, onshoring, nearshoring, and offshoring options (and a mix of them) are available.
Reasons to work with international IT experts
Similar global challenges influence logistics companies, banks and finance institutions, healthcare facilities, telecoms and organizations in all other sectors.
For example, constantly evolving customer expectations require a comprehensive approach to talent management. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from cost optimization associated with outsourcing, but more importantly, working with consulting agencies enable organizations to combat the skill shortage in tech by working with experienced IT specialists from around the world.
Hiring a niche technology or legacy software expert is much easier when you have access to a global talent pool. International teams are also perfect for providing 24/7 maintenance and support services.
Consult our guides below to learn more about IT outsourcing possibilities in the Netherlands, India, and Poland,
The shape of the IT market in the Netherlands
Learn about the Netherlands 2023 IT landscape, local business opportunities, tech expert recruitment, and the top 5 cities for IT outsourcing.
Guides to outsourcing IT services and software development to India
Learn about India's remarkable standing in global offshoring landscape with our overview of the top IT outsourcing hubs in India and our guide to IT outsourcing to India.
All you need to know about outsourcing your IT project to Poland
Learn about Poland’s best cities for technology outsourcing, discover its remarkable growth in digital expertise, and see what to expect from IT specialists in this Eastern European country.
Pros and cons of a global delivery model in managed cloud services
Benefits of GDM in cloud managed service
Shortage of talent in cloud adoption experts and specialists with private, hybrid, and public cloud environment day-to-day management skills can be challenging to address when considering the local workforce only. For companies seeking external cloud management solutions, the benefits of managed cloud are easier to unlock with the global delivery model.
- Working with an outsourcing partner allows your company to access resources worldwide. Consulting companies like Maxima Consulting have experience in hiring cloud platforms experts in many countries. As a result, they know how to attract the best candidates and how to deal with local regulations.
- The global delivery model enables tailoring a specific cloud service solution to your individual business strategy. You can work with onshore, nearshore, and offshore consultants in a ratio that accommodates your company’s needs best.
- An expert recruitment team makes sure your new experts are the right fit for your company in terms of capabilities and personality. You will only meet preselected candidates with the right expertise, proactive attitude, and understanding of your company’s requirements.
- Partnering with the managed cloud services provider allows a partially- or fully-managed cloud service project to commence fast. Companies with effective recruitment solutions in their DNA not only hire new people quickly, they often possess a pool of verified candidates who wait for roles suiting their unique expertise.
Disadvantages of GDM in cloud managed service
Although, generally speaking, the global delivery model is beneficial for a majority of enterprises wanting to outsource their cloud administration, there are a couple of drawbacks you should consider before deciding to implement it:
- Timezone differences can influence communications, as core working hours in India may be vastly different than in European Union and the United States. However, with current online collaboration tools, it’s easy to communicate effectively with a minimal number of meetings.
- Cultural differences between various countries will occasionally lead to difficulties in communication and misunderstandings. By partnering with a vendor experienced in working with a global workforce, your company minimizes the negative impact resulting from such differences, as it is their job to resolve HR-related issues with consultants.
Should your company utilize managed cloud services?
The short answer is: yes. Managed cloud services benefit companies of all sizes. When you contract out the handling of cloud resources to a third party, you’re enabling the in-house IT team to focus on the critical parts of the business.
Managed cloud service providers - key considerations
When considering outsourcing cloud management tasks to specialized vendors, it is important to know your goals and partner with a company that has the corresponding experience and ability to custom-fit their processes to fit your expectations.
Depending on the organization’s processes and requirements, various types and models of managed cloud services should be considered. An expert managed cloud services provider will analyze your business model and the industry landscape to determine the best-suited cooperation model.
Maxima Consulting provides managed cloud services to companies in many industries, including finance, transportation, and energy sectors. Our consultants are experienced in working with all major cloud providers, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Oracle Cloud solutions.
Schedule a free consultation
Gain access to a full scope of cloud managed services with Maxima Consulting. With countless cloud and infrastructure projects under our belt, we’re confident in our ability to bring value to enterprises facing challenges in dealing with their cloud solutions. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
You might be also interested in our guide to choosing the right IT outsourcing provider for your organization.
