Whether you preparing to move to the cloud or planning to switch from one cloud service to another, it is important that you make the right decision. Remember that this is not something that you can just change when you do not feel like using it because it will mean downtime.
Cloud hosting service providers offer different services, expertise, and capabilities. An example is IBM AS400 hosting, which is popular in manufacturing, information technology, and computer software. It is used across organisations of all sizes. AS/400 is known to have massive hardware redundancy, which is both high performing and reliable.
Your goal here is to find the best cloud hosting providers capable of supporting and even scaling your business’ critical operations consistently and easily. As a client, it is challenging telling the difference between a great cloud hosting service provider and a mediocre provider.
To help you distinguish the difference, you should know what to look for in a cloud hosting service provider. Here are the things to look for before entrusting the provider with your infrastructure hosting needs:
Security
Security is paramount to your success. You need to find a provider that values it as much as you do. In the past, companies were concerned about cloud security but as the technology evolved, security measures matured. These days, storing data in the cloud is far more secure than managing it in-house.
You have to understand that not all providers are equal where security is concerned. As a client, you should ask your provider security measures they have in place. You have to particularly pay attention to encryption (both in their network and data send over the Internet), security in API and web interface and physical security like CCTV and biometric controls in their data center.
Services
A true cloud provider offers different cloud services – software-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, and infrastructure-as-a-service. When it comes to the infrastructure-as-a-service, it can be divided according to the underlying physical infrastructure that is managed and shared. Before you commit to a vendor, you need to understand the type of cloud platform you need as well as the implications of your choice for the business.

Management
Most cloud services these days do not offer management services. When you choose this kind of service, you will be thrown in the deep with a little help. This is a situation that can cause a failure of infrastructure projects.
Certifications
All vendors make claims that they provide and deliver the best service but you have to be above them. You have to check the certifications of the cloud to determine if third-party organisations verified their claims. The best cloud provider should provide evidence of certification and auditing.
Agreements
Security, certifications and expert support will be futile if the provider is not reliable and consistent. Remember that the most reliable cloud providers use many systems to ensure its reliability and stability with less risk of service disruption.
The agreements are a gauge of the confidence of the provider in its infrastructure. It is important that you do not settle for less. Check the Service Level Agreements to help you make an informed decision.