5 Essential Questions to Ask Prospective Cloud/SaaS Vendors
The decisions you make when onboarding cloud/SaaS vendors can determine the fate of your organisation. It is critical that you are well informed on the software solutions your business needs and whether or not the vendor can provide you with the best software, security and services. Here is a list of the most important questions to ask potential software providers to help you make that decision more confidently:
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How secure are the servers housing my company's sensitive data?
This should include a comprehensive policy that covers both cyber and physical security. You can also ask about the third party's compliance with laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Before agreeing to partner with any third party associate, you must feel sure that their security protocols are up to or exceed your expectations.
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How much experience do you have?
Vendors must be able to execute the software application professionally and without facing issues that would typically arise with a newcomer. They must also be well accustomed to quickly and efficiently solving any problems, including reacting to security breaches properly and without delay.
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How are new upgrades and features deployed?
Any software applications that you buy must be able to be updated automatically and should not require users to be trained again. You must be confident that your vendor will keep your application up to date and fully functional. Additionally, the upgrades should be free, and should have a non-intrusive impact on your company's work.
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Can the application be integrated into the company?
A cloud/SaaS solution that would require you to change your company's IT infrastructure, is simply not a solution. Therefore, it is important you ensure that it can be easily integrated into the organisation without rendering other software useless. Users should still be able to transfer files through it to other applications and vice versa.
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How often is data backed up?
You should not settle for less than daily. The organisation should also be well equipped and prepared to restore considerable amounts of data in the event of an emergency. In addition, the vendor should have one isolated or offline backup in case of a system error.