# Maximize the Value of Your Cloud-First Strategy: 3 Tips From a Business Consultant | Capterra > Learn to maximize the value of your cloud-first strategy using cloud management software, based on the experiences of a small-business consultant. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/cloud-first-strategy --- Software ImplementationIT & Software Development # How To Maximize the Value of Your Cloud-First Strategy: 3 Tips From a Business Consultant By Bhavya Aggarwal Bhavya Aggarwal Bhavya Aggarwal is a Technical Content Writer at Capterra, covering Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies, with a focus on improvi... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bhavya-aggarwal/) Published May 3, 2023 7 min read ## Make the most of your cloud-first strategy with these expert insights on cloud management software. Embracing a cloud-first strategy—which prioritizes [cloud computing services](https://www.capterra.com/resources/why-is-cloud-computing-important/) over all other technologies—is a smart move for your small business. Research[\[1\]](#sources) predicts that by 2025, 85% of organizations will adopt a cloud-first principle. But you may find it challenging to make the most of your cloud operations without cloud-native tools. Jefferson McMillan[\[2\]](#sources), CEO of business transformation agency Flourish and Thrive Labs, says using [cloud management software](https://www.capterra.com/cloud-management-software/) is key to optimizing returns on your cloud investment. “Cloud is not just a technology, but a new-generation experience. To ensure it is a wholesome one, cloud management software is your best deal." Jefferson McMillan Chief executive officer, Flourish and Thrive Labs In this article, we discuss three tips shared by McMillan, drawing on his experience with cloud management software, to help you make the most of your cloud infrastructure and optimize your cloud transformation journey. McMillan's tips are informed by his consulting business's recent move to the cloud. ## 1\. Use backup and recovery tactics to safeguard your cloud data McMillan highlights that while cloud services offer better data security compared to traditional in-house infrastructure, they still pose significant [data backup](https://www.capterra.com/backup-software/) and recovery challenges if cloud management software isn’t used.  He shares an instance when a few critical files were accidentally deleted from his organization’s storage, and they struggled to recover the files due to the absence of a proper backup system. However, using a cloud management platform with automatic data backup and recovery functionality has helped McMillan’s consulting business address this challenge. > _"Being an Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud management system user, we now leverage its built-in features for automatic data backup and storage. And since we are a cloud-first company, we use multi-region replication__and partitioned backup sites__to store our data, ensuring we can quickly recover our systems in case of a major issue.”_ > \- **Jefferson McMillan** Feature overview The automatic backup and recovery feature of cloud management software ensures the safety of essential files and business information. It automatically backs up data to a secure off-site data center, protecting it from hardware failures, natural disasters, or cyberattacks. Users can easily recover lost or deleted files, minimizing downtimeand ensuring [business continuity](https://www.capterra.com/business-continuity-software/). McMillan also highlights the effectiveness of the intelligent data risk alert feature of his cloud management software in ensuring cloud security. It spots possible threats to data, such as unauthorized logins or corrupted files, and moves operations to a safe backup site while dealing with the issue. ### Ready to set up automatic data and recovery? Follow these tips to get started: - **Configure your cloud management software's backup settings** to meet your specific needs, including the frequency and scope of [first-party](https://www.capterra.com/resources/first-party-data-strategy/) as well as in-house data backup. As per an IDC whitepaper[\[3\]](#sources), backup gap is the top reason for data loss in the cloud. The lengthy interval between backups—often 24 hours for most organizations—leaves businesses vulnerable to data loss. - **Establish a data retention policy** that defines how your business should store data, for how long, and how to dispose of it. Your policy could be based on internal data management requirements as well as compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). - **Review and update your disaster recovery plan** **regularly**, taking into account any changes in your cloud operations or infrastructure. Ensure your cloud management software’s settings align with this plan, and run them through your cloud service provider or your IT team to ensure no important software feature is toggled off. ## 2\. Streamline file sharing to enhance remote collaboration  McMillan shares that even with a small team of two to three members, [collaborating remotely](https://www.capterra.com/remote-work-software/) on a cloud-based infrastructure became challenging before his organization onboarded a cloud management tool.  His team struggled with staying on the same page with stakeholders and getting notified, right away, when someone introduced a change in a document or updated an important file. However, their cloud smart platform was able to solve this issue. > _“We love how cloud management software simplifies tasks for everyone with its drag-and-drop interface and easy-to-follow instructions. I can set permissions, access controls, and view version history to track file revisions if changes are made. We've even integrated Microsoft 365 and our Salesforce CRM within our cloud management software, making it a breeze to collaborate on projects and share files with employees, partners, or customers.”_ > \- **Jefferson McMillan** Feature overview Remote collaboration in cloud management software enables teams to work together seamlessly, regardless of their location. Users can access, edit, and share documents in real time, improving productivity and streamlining communication. The software also provides secure sharing options and real-time notifications when changes are made to the files, ensuring sensitive data remains protected while being accessible to authorized team members. Cloud management software helps ensure a smooth and collaborative [work-from-home](https://www.capterra.com/resources/remote-hybrid-toxic-work-culture/) environment for McMillan’s team. He says that whenever his team needs to add a new server to the cloud architecture to accommodate increased traffic, they do it effortlessly, and the collaboration feature keeps everyone informed through timely emails and notifications. ### Ready to streamline remote collaboration for your cloud environment? Follow these tips to get started: - McMillan advises **using the notification and alert feature** of your cloud management software to customize the types of events that trigger notifications. This ensures everyone is informed about relevant changes without being overwhelmed by unnecessary alerts. - **Integrate your cloud solution** with the productivity and collaboration tools your team uses, such as [task management](https://www.capterra.com/task-management-software/) or [communication](https://www.capterra.com/team-communication-software/) platforms. Integration streamlines workflows and centralizes [communication](https://www.capterra.com/resources/cross-functional-communication-best-practices-to-boost-collaboration/), making it easier for your team to collaborate on tasks. Also, maintain document version history to prevent confusion due to multiple file versions. Integrate [document version control software](https://www.capterra.com/document-version-control-software/?platform=%5B1%5D) if your cloud software doesn’t have this feature built-in. - **Review and update access control permissions regularly** for your cloud platform so team members can access necessary files and apps while safeguarding sensitive data. ## 3\. Keep costs in check with effective cloud management McMillan says managing costs can be challenging in a cloud first policy. Initially, his team struggled with cloud budgeting, and their significant investment in cloud technology did not bring the considerable savings they expected compared to the previous in-house [IT infrastructure](https://www.capterra.com/resources/it-infrastructure/) until they started using the cost management feature of their cloud platform. > _“Our platform's cost management feature lets us track costs across our cloud infrastructure. It helps us pinpoint areas of high spending, allowing our team to optimize cloud usage and lower costs. It also offers rightsizing__recommendations, suggesting changes to enhance efficiency and save money."_ > \- **Jefferson McMillan** Feature overview Cost management helps businesses monitor and control their cloud spending. It provides detailed insights into resource usage and expenses, enabling organizations to allocate budgets more effectively and eliminate wasteful spending. Users can set spending limits, receive alerts for unusual expenses, and generate custom reports to analyze cost trends and optimize their cloud technology investments. McMillan adds that their cloud management software detects unusual costs, which could signal unauthorized resource usage or potential cost anomalies such as higher system memory consumption. Additionally, the software helps his team identify the source of the issue and resolve it. ### Ready to manage costs for your cloud workloads? Follow these tips to get started: - **Set up budget alerts** in your cloud management software to receive notifications when you're approaching or exceeding your predefined spending limit, enabling you to adjust resource usage accordingly. - **Monitor the performance and usage of cloud resources** by using your cloud management platform’s analytics tools. Carefully assess your cloud environment for potential saving opportunities, such as unused or underused resources, and review your storage policies regularly. Optimize resource allocation based on these insights to ensure you're not overprovisioning or underutilizing resources—both of which can lead to unnecessary cloud costs. - **Utilize tags in your cloud management tool for budgeting**. You can use tags to categorize cloud expenses for each project or project team and then analyze the associated costs for cloud services to make data-driven decisions about budget and resource allocation. ## Explore the possibilities: Your cloud management software has so much to offer Using a cloud management platform allows McMillan’s consulting business to make the most of their cloud first strategy. Here’s his parting advice on cloud adoption for small-business owners like you: "Give it a shot. Trust me! A cloud management tool doesn’t just make it easy to reap the maximum value out of your cloud-first organization, but also fun. It'll make your operations streamlined, and things move exactly how you want them to move." Jefferson McMillan For beginners, selecting a suitable cloud solution may seem like a challenging task. So, don’t hesitate to seek the expertise of professional cloud consultants in your cloud transformation journey. They’ll help you distinguish between what your cloud first business wants and what it truly needs to grow. **To learn more about cloud computing, check out these resources:** - [5 Steps To Move Your Small Business To The Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/resources/cloud-migration-steps/) - [What Are the Different Types of Cloud Computing?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/cloud-computing-services-for-business/) - [What Are the 3 Cloud Computing Service Delivery Models?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/cloud-delivery-models/) - [What Is Cloud Outsourcing, and Should You Consider It?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-cloud-outsourcing/) ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Sources 1. [Cloud Will Be the Centerpiece of New Digital Experiences](https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-11-10-gartner-says-cloud-will-be-the-centerpiece-of-new-digital-experiences), Gartner 2. [Jefferson McMillan-Wilhoit](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcmillan-wilhoit/), LinkedIn 3. [White Paper on the State of Data Protection and Disaster Recovery Readiness](https://www.zerto.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDC-White-Paper-The-State-of-Data-Protection-and-Disaster-Recovery-Readiness-2021.pdf), IDC * * * Looking for Cloud Management software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Cloud Management software](https://www.capterra.com/cloud-management-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Bhavya Aggarwal](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bhavya-aggarwal/) Bhavya Aggarwal is a Technical Content Writer at Capterra, covering Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies, with a focus on improving IT for small to midsize businesses. He has more than five years of experience in persuasive and fact-based content creation, and his work has been featured in branded publications such as Gartner, Sprinklr, YourStory, etc. Bhavya has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a strong background in mass communication and digital marketing. 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