Question 1

What is a cloud consulting company?

Accepted Answer

A cloud consulting company is a company that specializes in advising and assisting businesses in efficiently adopting cloud computing technologies. It employs cloud experts who guide organizations in selecting the most suitable cloud solutions based on the client’s IT infrastructures, business requirements, and goals.

Once assessed, consultants can classify the best cloud deployment models that enterprises can integrate into their businesses, namely:

Public cloud: Provides accessible and shareable storage, processing power, and applications for multiple users through the internet. Some examples are Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Private cloud: Offers a dedicated set of computing resources for a specific organization only. It is accessible on-premises or hosted by a service provider with dedicated infrastructure for private companies. Private cloud provides high levels of control and security over business data.
Hybrid cloud: A hybrid cloud combines the scalability of a public cloud with the security of private cloud environments. While it offers more flexibility and business opportunities, managing a hybrid cloud involves a complex process of ensuring that data flows seamlessly between the cloud environments.

With a continuously growing market, the global cloud computing industry value is expected to reach $1,554.94 billion by 2030. However, while more businesses adopt cloud computing into their processes, enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) still need help migrating their workloads to the public cloud.

According to Flexera 2024 State of the Cloud Report, 54% of businesses need help understanding app dependencies and assessing on-premises and cloud costs. Furthermore, the industry has a cloud skill gap, with 44% of organizations having problems finding qualified cloud talent, as emphasized by a S&P Global Market Intelligence study.

Since securing your own cloud talent is a challenge on top of your existing cloud capability gap, cloud consulting companies play a crucial role in bridging these gaps. They provide expert guidance, seamless migration, and ongoing management, enabling businesses to fully leverage the benefits of cloud computing and achieve sustainable growth. One example is the case study of a healthcare provider that aims to improve the quality of its healthcare effectiveness data and information set (HEDIS) services. It contacted Successive Digital to address the app’s scalability, weak security, and slow response times, which affected the overall user experience.

Successive Digital designed an end-to-end cloud strategy by modernizing the app’s infrastructure, rebuilding the codebase, and migrating to AWS. Through a continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) approach, deployment ran smoothly and error-free. The app also embedded security and compliance measures, safeguarding sensitive medical data between doctors and patient interactions.

As a result, the client’s code was optimized significantly by 90%, resulting in increased business revenue of 20%. The cloud strategy also enabled 24/7 app monitoring, ensuring real-time insights and reduced downtime.

Question 2

What services do cloud consulting companies provide?

Accepted Answer

Cloud consulting companies provide services and expertise to ensure organizations implement an optimal cloud environment. They offer a wide array of managed cloud consulting services that involve analyzing, designing, implementing, migrating, and maintaining cloud-native solutions, namely:

Cloud assessment: Evaluate a business’ current IT to identify areas suitable for cloud migration. Consultants analyze the client’s needs and recommend the most appropriate cloud adoption strategy. infrastructure
Cloud roadmap development: Define a clear workflow outlining a client’s cloud journey. This roadmap details the specific cloud services, migration approach, and timeline that suit the business.
Cloud migration: Consultants create a detailed migration plan outlining the process of moving the application, data, and infrastructure to the cloud. This plan includes considerations for security, downtime minimization, and rollback strategies. They can also assist with the actual migration process, ensuring a smooth transition to business operations.
Cloud infrastructure management: Involves managing a cloud environment through resource provisioning, performance monitoring, and security optimization. Some consultants offer day-to-day cloud infrastructure management enabling organizations to focus on their core businesses.
Cloud compliance: Consultants can guide a business in implementing governance policies to ensure compliant cloud usage.
Cloud training: Given their expertise and experience in cloud operations, consultants train in-house IT staff to help businesses effectively manage and use cloud services.

RealNex, a commercial real estate (CRE) agent platform, had difficulty managing data because they needed to use multiple tools to bring all the information together. This made things hard for CREs. Its team contacted Avenga to build a platform that is accessible within any operating system (OS) and device.

Avenga developed CORE, a customer relationship management platform (CRM) that can track customers’ details, records of companies, properties, and other data. The team optimized the client’s existing database structure and developed a scalable backend architecture that enabled flexibility through the cloud, making the platform accessible in any OS. The agency synchronized MarketEdge, MS Outlook, and Google Services in the CRM to create a seamless interaction across all platforms.

The collaboration resulted in the development of the only real estate CRM that has the advanced features of a desktop app and the mobility of the cloud. Through CORE, RealNext ensures that agents have access to the information they need anytime, anywhere.

Question 3

How much do cloud consultants charge for their services?

Accepted Answer

Most cloud consultants charge $20 to $250 hourly, depending on factors such as the scope, the type of service, location, and the industry experience needed for the project.

The advantage of hiring cloud consulting services is flexibility. You can decide how much to spend on your chosen services. When you develop a fixed, actionable plan to support your business goals, you can have a general idea of the budget you need.

Since cloud computing is a specialized niche in IT consulting, the agencies usually base their pricing model on a consultant’s expertise. Here’s a breakdown of these costs:

Entry-level cloud consultants: Consultants offering basic insights on cloud computing and its impact on a client’s business. Their hourly rates range from $20 to $70, depending on education qualifications and the consultant’s location.
Experienced cloud consultants: Consultants with premier cloud certifications and more experience charge between $90 and $200 per hour, based on the complexity of the work.
On-demand cloud consultants: These experts provide services on an as-needed basis. They have a more comprehensive understanding of cloud specializations such as cloud migration, security, cost optimization, and cloud platforms. Their hourly rate ranges from $150 to $250.

On DesignRush, the top 50 cloud consulting companies charge an average of $55 per hour. Roughly 8% of the cloud consulting services on DesignRush accept projects with a minimum budget of less than $1,000, while 0.2% require a $50,000+ minimum budget.

Question 4

Why should you hire a cloud consulting firm?

Accepted Answer

You should hire a cloud consulting firm to improve the efficiency of your organization. As emphasized by a McKinsey report, businesses can realize a value of more than $1 trillion through cloud computing. It offers immense potential to grow your organization by bridging the skill gap, increasing agility and scalability, reducing IT infrastructure cost, increasing security, offering support, and internal training.

Bridge the skill gap: Cloud consultants offer specialized knowledge and experience in cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, among others, ensuring businesses choose and implement an optimal solution.
Increasing agility and scalability: Successful cloud migration enables businesses to adapt and scale resources readily. Consultants can implement CI/CD pipelines that automate processes, leading to faster release cycles.
Reducing IT infrastructure costs: Cloud adoption often leads to lower costs associated with on-premises hardware and maintenance. Cloud providers handle the maintenance and upkeep of physical infrastructure, saving your organization the costs associated with in-house hardware maintenance teams, spare parts, and electricity for on-premises data centers.
Increasing security: Cloud consultants can bolster your organization's security by implementing robust measures to protect your data. A 2023 IBM report found that the global average cost of a data breach is now at $4.45 million. Cloud consultants can ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations, mitigating security risks and potential financial liabilities.
Additional support and internal training: A reputable cloud consulting firm can offer ongoing support to ensure your cloud environment functions smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, they can train your IT staff, empowering them to manage the cloud environment effectively and independently.

One prime example of how cloud consulting makes business processes more efficient is the case study of Swift Shopper, an eCommerce retail company with a vision to digitize its services. Swift Shopper contacted Simform to create a mobile app with built-in analytics and a scalable system to integrate thousands of retail stores and connect them with customers.

Simform took the challenge and audited the client’s existing system. Upon comprehensive assessment, the team rebuilt the client’s monolithic architecture system. It enabled cloud-based data warehousing and an extract, transfer, and load (ETL) process for real-time syncing between Swift Shopper and its retailers.

As a result, Swift Shopper’s cloud-integrated platform covered 12,000 retail stores in the US, reducing checkout time by 80%. The app also handles 1 million data points under processing, emphasizing the robust system of the eCommerce app.

Question 5

How do I choose the right cloud consulting service for my business?

Accepted Answer

To choose the best cloud consulting service for your business, follow these steps:

Define your goals: Identify your business goals or needs for adopting cloud solutions. Understanding your company’s current IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and data storage, helps cloud consultants recommend the solution you need.
Consider your budget: Define the amount you will spend on cloud consulting services. This allows consultants to align their proposals with your goals and the services that fit within your means.
Research potential cloud consulting firms: Browse online directories like DesignRush to find prospective cloud consulting companies. Filter options based on your specific requirements, location, and budget.
Evaluate experience and expertise: Explore the cloud consulting company’s website to understand their areas of expertise, case studies with similar businesses, and their overall approach to cloud solutions. Look for consultants with experience in your industry or cloud platforms.
Request for a client portfolio and reference: Their portfolio will give you a deeper look at the cloud consultancy projects they have worked on. Check their client references to discover their communication style, availability, flexibility regarding modifications, and overall work ethic.
Assess client testimonials: Check authentic reviews on platforms like DesignRush or Google My Business to see what other clients say about their work experience with the cloud consulting company.
Consider the location: Think about the cloud consultant’s location, especially if your IT infrastructure is on-premises, which requires physical meetings and alignments. The consultant’s location also affects your project’s budget since some cloud consultants charge higher depending on where they are based.
Shortlist the candidates: Narrow your options to cloud consulting firms and communicate your intentions to work with them.
Send a request for proposal: Send them a request for proposal (RFP) and ask for a project breakdown, including milestones, scope, schedule, costs, and other desired deliverables.
Check the team members’ expertise: Assess the qualifications and experience of team members assigned to your project. Ask about their certifications, specific cloud platform knowledge, and project management methodologies.
Request for cloud SLA: A cloud service level agreement (SLA) outlines the expected performance metrics for the cloud environment, such as uptime guarantees, response time for support requests, and security protocols. Requesting cloud SLA ensures that the consultant is accountable based on these benchmarks. It also gives you measurable standards of the project’s success.
Make a choice: Review contracts and select the cloud consulting partner that best aligns with your goals, budget, and requirements.

If you need assistance in choosing the best cloud consulting services, visit the DesignRush Marketplace. We'll connect you with the most suitable service providers—for free.

Question 6

How do I find the best cloud consultant on DesignRush that fits my budget?

Accepted Answer

You can find the best cloud consulting companies on DesignRush that fit your budget by using our filters. Narrow your search based on the lowest minimum budget of under $1,000 or the highest minimum budget of over $50,000. It also has mid-range prices starting at $25,000, offering various options depending on your company’s size and project scope. DesignRush also indicates the hourly rate of cloud consulting services in its listings. However, for some companies, rates are only available upon inquiry.

You can reach these agencies through the agency portfolios on the DesignRush marketplace. These portfolios feature a short overview of the company and client reviews that offer insights into projects the company has worked on. They can help you assess the best cloud consultants that match your needs and budget.

Question 7

What questions should I ask before hiring a cloud consultant?

Accepted Answer

Before hiring a cloud consultant, you should ask these questions to learn about their process and see if their specializations are fit for your business:

Its Relevant Background

How many years of experience do you have in cloud consulting?
Which industries do you specialize in?
Have you worked on similar projects in our industry?
What certifications do your cloud consultants hold?
How would you describe your company culture?

Company Services and Processes

How can your consulting services help my organization transition into the cloud?
How do you handle security and compliance concerns during cloud transition?
How will you keep us informed of progress and any potential challenges?
What is your process for handling scope changes during the project?
How do you structure your pricing model?

Related to Your Project

How do you assess our company’s cloud readiness?
What challenges should I expect when implementing cloud solutions in my business?
Do you offer on-going maintenance and support?
Will you provide documentation?
Do you offer any training or knowledge transfer to our IT staff?

Question 8

What are the best cloud consulting companies in the US?

Accepted Answer

The best cloud consulting companies in the US are:

Folio3
- 4.8 stars on DesignRush (5 reviews)
- Top clients: InGenius Prep, Mercedes Benz, Flexiglass, Trilink
Kin + Carta
- 4.6 stars on Google (52 reviews)
- Top clients: Unilever, Janssen, Discover Bank, ABC Supply
Algoworks
- 4.8 stars on DesignRush (7 reviews)
- 4.4 stars on Google (35 reviews)
- Top clients: eBay, NDTV Imagine, PlayUp, Eduix
Simform
- 4.9 stars on DesignRush (14 reviews)
- 5.0 stars on Google (6 reviews)
- Top clients: Mission Rabies, DoggyBnB, Drizzle Labs, Sony Music (EMI)
Successive Digital
- 4.9 stars on DesignRush (18 reviews)
- Top clients: Dentsu, Isobar, ACL, Nokia

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