Cloud is now mainstream. According to the UK Government’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in a recent report, “most UK organisations now use cloud computing in some capacity.” This is a well-known fact that came as no surprise, and nor did their statistic that by 2023, the UK cloud market is expected to be worth over £35 billion; up over 70% from 2019. Businesses are turning to the cloud in rapidly increasing numbers.

But what these figures don’t reveal is the amount of usage and benefit organisations gain from their cloud services.

As a cloud services provider, ensuring that our customers are getting the most from their cloud investment is a top priority. We help you maximise on your investment by:

• Showing you product features that suit your set-up and requirements.

• Making sure your money is being spent in the right way, and that the services you purchase are cost-effective.

• Ensuring your business is safeguarded with the best security policies and solutions.

Below, we’ve outlined some easy initial steps for you to evaluate the return-on-investment (ROI) of your existing cloud services:

• Ensure that the payment schedule you’re on is a pay-as-you-use model. If you use a tiered payment structure, find out if the tier you’re being charged for suits your requirements. Is there flexibility within payment grades to scale, depending on the development and growth of your company?

• Make sure you know how to obtain the best from your products in terms of features and functions. Are you fully aware of the capabilities? If not, your CSP should provide awareness, education and training. We have many customers come to us, unhappy with their existing solution provider, because they’re paying for a service and only utilising a small proportion of its functions. No wonder they can’t get their heads around the price! A good solution provider should offer training and product knowledge to customers as standard.

• Make sure your employees are fully onboard and committed to using the product, as well as using it to its maximum potential.

Fear of change is natural, and busy employees can resent the need to take the time getting to grips with a new process/routine/product. It’s crucial to take the lead – demonstrate the product’s benefits and arrange a training schedule for your staff.

While we’re a conservative bunch generally, it’s worth bearing in mind that most employees are open to new ideas, particularly where IT’s concerned – and this is not a view that’s generation biased. A recent article reports that 76% of people in their 50s agree with 20-something colleagues on the opinion that their employer should be a technology leader.

And finally, it’s critical to ensure that you are trusting the right cloud services provider with your cloud set-up! If you’re with the wrong provider, you will already be at a disadvantage when it comes to maximising on your investment.

Why go through a Cloud Solutions Provider when you can simply purchase directly from Microsoft?

Customers often find themselves asking this question as they prepare to purchase software or cloud services from one of the world’s largest vendors. Understanding what a Cloud Solution Provider is, why the Microsoft CSP programme exists and what benefits it can offer customers can help you make a much more informed choice.

With a focus on customer experience and long-term relationships, the Microsoft’s CSP programme is thoughtfully designed and managed. Microsoft provides an ecosystem of resources and tools to their partners so they can offer customers an even better and more personalised experience than the vendor itself. Keep reading to find out the benefits of working with a Cloud Solutions Provider…

Microsoft developed the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programme to provide customers with the resources and end-to-end support they need from a trusted partner. Instead of navigating Microsoft’s full and complex suite of products and services on their own, customers can have an expert guide in a CSP partner.

CSP partners are fully qualified to sell cloud services and software from Microsoft, and customers can rely on their software provider for a host of resources beyond just sales advice. With the CSP model, partners can add significant value to the overall customer experience; becoming an extension of their customers’ businesses and meeting specific needs in a very timely manner.

Through the CSP programme, Microsoft can offer a higher level of product flexibility to customers. Microsoft has greater capacity to support partners, instead of individual end-users, in meeting the demands of customers. Customers benefit from deeper one-on-one engagement and added value only a CSP partner could provide. From support and managed services, to advice and end-user training, the benefits are extensive when you work with a partner.

Cloud Solutions Provider partners have the time and capacity to learn about your business. Instead of being just another name or number, your business has value to a CSP partner. They take the time to learn about your unique needs, the challenges you face, and your specific preferences. They can offer recommendations and tailored solutions, instead of the click-and-buy method you would experience directly with Microsoft. With a partner, you can build a long-term relationship that provides the right solution for growth and development.

A quality Cloud Solutions Provider takes responsibility for every customer they have. Typically small and independent businesses, partners take customer support seriously and are happy to get hands-on. Because the partner is qualified to diagnose and understand the needs of your business, they can prioritise your concerns and provide efficient resolutions to challenges that may arise.  

It’s more than just purchasing licenses. You can receive professional and managed services from your CSP partner, so you are never left hanging or in the dark. A CSP partner can do everything necessary to provide a smooth migration. You can have peace of mind knowing your business is in capable and caring hands.

Flexible billing is one of the greatest benefits a Cloud Service Provider can provide their customer. With a CSP partner, you only pay for what you need and use. If your business needs the flexibility to add licenses for a couple of months, your billing reflects your needs. When you need to drop licenses, you can do so quickly and without fuss. Scalability is as simple as letting your account manager know your requirements on one of your regular calls (Meet our new Account Manager Ashley, here)

Billing can be handled in a variety of ways depending on what make sense for your business; you can set up monthly payments via credit card, invoice, or debit, or arrange annual billing if that better meets your needs. Licensing costs are not paid upfront, so you can save considerably on your initial investment and keep your capital expenditure to a minimum.

Microsoft has invested heavily in the CSP programme, providing partners with an advanced toolkit so they can offer top-tier service to customers. The partners in the Cloud Solutions Provider programme all have wide skillsets and bring considerable knowledge to the table. Partners typically have a range of experts within their organisation, enabling them to create custom solutions that work for an individual business instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

You also have one point of contact handling all your licensing and support needs, instead of getting a different person on the phone each time you need support. There is no need to flip through notes, rehash old information, or waste time when seeking support and guidance.

Working with a trusted CSP partner can provide a better experience and more success with cloud services than purchasing directly from Microsoft. If you are interested in learning more about how a CSP partner can meet your specific needs, give us a call today. As an established Cloud Solutions Provider we are ready to help you transform your organisation with cloud and can support you every step of the way