Storing and managing data. Running applications. Delivering content and services like streaming videos, webmail, and office productivity software. There are many reasons why organizations of all sizes have embraced the cloud.
Roughly 70% of organizations have reported that more than half of their infrastructure is in the cloud, and 89% of companies reported taking a multiservice approach. However, despite increased cloud usage, 69% of businesses still have an unclear cloud strategy, needing guidance and support when it comes to optimizing their cloud expenses. Looking to simplify cloud strategies, IT leaders are referring to tech partners like CDW for support, who can help streamline their efforts and improve return on investment by using Azure Managed Services—and here is how.
Three Key Components
Brandon Engen, senior manager of Azure Cloud Managed Services at CDW, states that effective cloud strategies have three key components: cost optimization, talent acquisition, and strong security.
A defined cloud strategy can help companies with costs, with Engen stating, “The cloud is dynamic and flexible, but companies need to ensure that they don’t let it scale out of control.”
While cost optimization can help companies, a knowledgeable and skilled team is also invaluable. Another key component to an organization’s success with the cloud depends on its team members, which means IT leaders need to invest in finding and retaining great talent. “It’s hard to keep talent and skills. AI is accelerating, and you need the right people staffed on your team,” Engen said. The CDW’s Azure Cloud Managed Services can help companies hire top on-contract employees who have the skills IT leaders may not have in-house.
The World Wide Web requires security, and with the cloud suffering from similar security risks that may be experienced in traditional environments, it is now a necessity. Azure Cloud Managed Services can provide peace of mind for companies that use the cloud. “Customers want someone to batten down the hatches and help them comply with regulatory bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and HIPAA,” Engen says. “We’re able to extend security beyond what is available to a customer cloud natively.”
Three Service Tiers
The CDW offers three managed service tiers to help companies with the most Azure deployments: Basic Tier, Essential Tier, and Premium Tier.
The Basic Tier is an entry-level option that is ideal for companies just entering the cloud or for those who prefer a self-managed approach. It includes partner-led Level 1 issue support during the week, as well as archives a 96% internal ticket resolution rate without the need for escalation to Microsoft.
Designed for businesses that need stronger IT support or want to scale up their cloud infrastructure, the Essential Tier provides companies with a dedicated technical account manager and 24/7 support for critical issues.
The Premium Tier is ideal for companies that want comprehensive management and support. It includes continuous monitoring, governance reporting, strategic architectural development, proactive monitoring of cloud environments, security threats, and end-to-end managed services.
Reasons to Consider
The CDW has earned Microsoft’s Expert MSP designation, which is the highest the company offers—but there are more compelling reasons you may want to consider Azure Cloud Managed Services.
All Azure-managed tiers come with Inscape, which is the CDW’s proprietary cloud management platform that improves visibility and automatically helps you control costs. Plus, there are no upfront costs and a flat hourly rate, with these services providing on-demand expertise to handle key projects like cloud architecture assessments, migrations, and security reviews—making it a flexible and effective solution for your company’s needs.
“We have a statement of work,” Engen says, “but it includes a 30-day cancellation. There are no multiyear commitments. We want our customers to consume the cloud in the way it works for them.”
