Master the Public Cloud IaaS Acquisition Models
Technically, most platforms are similar; however, their procurement models vary significantly. Learn the differences, save on costs, and reduce risk.
Contributors
Five anonymous vendor contributors
Your Challenge
Understanding the differences in IaaS platform agreements, purchasing options, associated value, and risks. What are your options for:
- Upfront or monthly payments
- Commitment discounts
- Support options
- Migration planning and support
Our Advice
Critical Insight
IaaS platforms offer similar technical features, but they vary widely on their procurement model. By fully understanding the procurement differences and options, you will be able to purchase wisely, save money both long and short term, and mitigate investment risk.
Most vendors have similar processes and options to buy. Finding a transparent explanation and summary of each platform in a side-by-side review is difficult.
- Are vendor reps being straight forward?
- What are the licensing requirements?
- What discounts or incentives can I negotiate?
- How much do I have to commit to and for how long?
Impact and Result
This project will provide several benefits for both IT and the business. It includes:
- Best IaaS platform to support current and future procurement requirements.
- Right-sized cloud commitment tailored to the organization’s budget.
- Predictable and controllable spend model.
- Flexible and reliable IT infrastructure that supports the lines of business.
- Reduced financial and legal risk.
Start here – read the Executive Brief
Read our concise Executive Brief to learn how the public cloud IaaS procurement models compare. Review Info-Tech’s methodology and understand the top three platforms, features, and benefits to support and inform the IaaS vendor choice.
1. Educate
Learn the IaaS basics, terminologies, purchasing options, licensing requirements, hybrid options, support, and organization requirements through a checklist process.
2. Evaluate
Review and understand the features, downsides, and differences between the big three players.
3. Execute
Decide on a primary vendor that meets requirements, engage with a reseller, negotiate pricing incentives, migration costs, review, and execute the agreement.
Guided Implementations
This guided implementation is a six call advisory process.
Guided Implementation #1 - Educate
Call #1 - Scope requirements, objectives, and your specific challenges or concerns.
Call #2 - Discuss IaaS terminology. Review features checklist.
Guided Implementation #2 - Evaluate
Call #1 - Deep dive into the top players. Review side-by-side comparison chart.
Call #2 - Decision, discussion, and validation.
Guided Implementation #3 - Execute
Call #1 - Vendor negotiation discussion.
Call #2 - Create an executive summary presentation.
After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve. See our top member experiences for this Blueprint, and what our clients have to say.
