Signing on the dotted line with a cloud service provider (CSP) can lead to a dependence on that company in ways that are both observable and hidden. Walking into such a relationship with eyes wide open is essential.
By John Ghrist
As with nearly any major IT project, getting started with cloud computing creates a host of challenges. Some are obvious: security, control over data, proper infrastructure, staff expertise, compliance issues, and the impacts on the enterprise from changing routines to something new, among others. Another that should be obvious, but which isn’t always given due consideration, is the phenomenon known as “vendor lock-in.”