Cloud tips for SMEs

Many Swiss SMEs have recognized the opportunities of the cloud, but lack the resources to build their own cloud infrastructure. Working with an IaaS provider enables the expansion of the portfolio and the focus on the core business, while the budget is spared. What needs to be considered in the process?

The right IT infrastructure can be decisive in a highly competitive market: Only if it can be expanded and extended quickly in the face of high customer demand, functions stably and supports innovations, will the company remain competitive in the medium and long term. 

The SME portal of the Swiss Confederation describes IT infrastructure as an "important tool for streamlining complex business workflows and processes". It also requires detailed planning to avoid "exploding costs". Cloud hosting providers support companies and SMEs in setting up and expanding their IT environment. Here you can find out which points you should consider when choosing an IT infrastructure provider.

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These five requirements should be met by your IT infrastructure in 2021
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✅ Cyber-Security: Cyber-attacks, data theft or unauthorized network access can cause costs in the millions, criminal prosecutions and irreparable reputational damage. Since the outbreak of the pandemic and the call to work from home, there has been an increase in phishing emails worldwide. Attackers have taken advantage of the fact that a large proportion of employees have insufficient knowledge of remote working applications.

When working with an IT infrastructure provider, the external partner usually takes care of the security of the IT environment. With a cloud-based infrastructure located in Swiss data centers, SMEs no longer have to worry about cyber security and protection against hacker attacks. In addition to integrated security programs, automatic recording, continuous operation ("business continuity") and emergency planning are often included in the packages offered by cloud service providers. The external partner also assumes responsibility for software and hardware and performs regular patching of the systems, which minimizes security risks and ensures the best possible functioning of the systems.

✅ Behavior in case of problems: An important factor in choosing an IaaS provider is how they handle problems. How long are the average response times? Is there the possibility for personal on-site support? What does the emergency response plan look like? Do you feel taken seriously and understood? With a local provider, customers are not just a number. If a problem occurs, the personal contact person at the external partner can react quickly and offer support. Those who purchase professional services from Xelon, for example, receive on-site support that ranges from a situation analysis and the taking of additional security measures to the creation of an IT emergency plan in the event of a disaster.

✅ Data protection standards: According to the Swiss Data Protection and Information Commissioner, data protection should ensure that proportionality is observed in every case. This means that only as much personal data as necessary and as little personal data as possible is ever collected and processed. Companies must therefore guarantee the security of all stored personal data. Both employee and customer data must be protected as best as possible. If this data is accidentally or intentionally compromised and it emerges after the cyber attack or data leak that the company concerned had not taken appropriate security measures, fines and sanctions may be imposed. Local providers comply with Swiss data protection laws and can thus guarantee the highest data security standards. 

✅ Understanding the market: IT infrastructure providers who are familiar with the Swiss market and its peculiarities and speak the language of their customers support companies in setting up or expanding a stable and reliably functioning IT infrastructure that is geared to the company's individual needs. "It is important to us that we understand the initial situation precisely and can develop suitable solutions in consultation with the customer. In the further course of the collaboration, we strive to keep the customer's back as far as possible and offer regular updates as well as support for any expansions," explains Xelon CEO Michael Dudli.

✅ Scalability: In recent years, scalability has become a buzzword not only in the start-up scene. Only if the business model and IT infrastructure are scalable can new customers be continuously acquired and the position on the market improved. The predefined IT infrastructure packages of hyperscalers like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services rarely meet all the demands of growing SMEs or start-ups and usually cannot be adapted. Local providers like Xelon, on the other hand, find out the individual needs of their customers in a personal meeting. How much computing power is actually needed in everyday life? Are there peak loads? Are there plans to expand the portfolio and the team in the foreseeable future and to expand the IT infrastructure accordingly? These questions need to be answered when creating an IT concept.  

✅ Flexibility: For many employees, it is motivating to be able to work in a self-determined environment - and sometimes also with self-selected working and break times. Flexibility in working hours and location requires a flexible and stably functioning IT infrastructure. It must be possible to access applications at any time, from anywhere in the world and with multiple end devices.

We help you to build a tailor-made infrastructure

Xelon helps companies of all sizes design the right IT infrastructure. When providing the IT environment, factors such as company size, mode of operation, mission, industry, the scope of the online project and the portfolio must be taken into account. While stability, reliability and security of the IT infrastructure are usually among the must-have criteria, expectations regarding scalability, flexibility and price-performance ratio often differ massively.