Once you’ve made the critical decision that it’s time to partner with a cloud service provider, you will want to test the product with a trial. And to get prepared for the trial itself, there are several best practices that teams can implement. Things like setting your success criteria up front, putting together a schedule of milestones, and setting checkpoint meetings for all key team members.
In a previous series, Best Practices for Choosing a Cloud Service Provider, Alex Burreson covered the top 5 questions to ask when investigating a cloud vendor before starting a trial. They include:
- Identifying Your Requirements
- Setting the Baseline: Compatibility and Cost
- Establishing a Technical Fit
- Asking Use Case-Specific Questions
- Scoping the Pricing Conversation
There are similar best practices to consider in the trial phase, all of which are described by use case in the following blogs:
Development and Test: 3 Habits for Running a Successful Cloud Trial
Virtual Training: How to Run a Successful Cloud Trial
Software Demos and Evaluations: 3 Habits for Running a Successful Cloud Trial
Companies that prepare for a trial have the highest chances for success—ensuring that no blockers come up when it’s time to go. And while running a cloud trial may be a little more involved than you originally imagined, it’s well worth the time.
If you plan well and get everyone on board from the start, you can almost guarantee a successful trial that will help you choose a cloud provider to fully adopt into your organizational framework.
