The Challenges of using AWS

For those who are not familiar with the AWS tools, AWS can be a challenge to try and navigate. Businesses using AWS can enlist the help of a Managed Service Provider to help them leverage the full potential of AWS.

Let’s start with an understanding of what Amazon Web Services (AWS) is. AWS is a cloud computing platform that offers a variety of services to help businesses of all sizes run their operations efficiently. If a business does not already have the knowledge base of the proprietary AWS tools, the learning curve can be steep and time consuming which can impact productivity levels. So, what exactly are the challenges of using AWS and how can businesses leverage the help of a managed service provider (MSP) to take their business to the next level? 

 AWS Complexity  

AWS has a wide range of services; each service comes with its own set of features and functionalities that allow businesses to react to changes in real time without having to invest in additional hardware or software. Sounds great, right? The problem is with the complexity of the platform. For example, setting up an Amazon EC2 instance may seem straightforward, but configuring security groups, managing load balancing, and setting up auto-scaling can be a challenge. With an MSP cloud computing service, businesses can quickly set up the infrastructure, platforms and applications they need to operate. 

AWS Cost 

A positive to AWS is that you only pay for the services you use, so you can save money by avoiding the costs of maintaining physical infrastructure. Also beneficial is the range of pricing models, including pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and spot instances. However, not selecting the right pricing model for your usage pattern can result in unexpected costs. As an MSP well versed in AWS, we unfortunately see this very often. By utilizing MSP experts with an in-depth understanding of the AWS cloud platform, businesses can make sure that they are getting exactly the right resources for their needs and their budget. 

AWS Security & Maintenance 

To help businesses protect their data and applications AWS provides a range of security features including encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication. It’s also compliant with a wide range of industry standards and regulations, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS. Unfortunately, many businesses do not realize the work that is required to set these up; simply putting your data in the cloud does not guarantee security. While it is beneficial to businesses that AWS provides a robust set of security features; setting up security groups, configuring access control, and managing encryption can be complicated and time-consuming without the expertise of an MSP. 

To ensure that a business’ applications and data are secure and up to date, Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) require regular maintenance (including updates and patches). To prevent being open to security vulnerabilities businesses hire MSPs to conduct the required regular maintenance. 

AWS Technical Expertise 

In order for a business to fully benefit from AWS’ capabilities, there is certain level of technical expertise that is required. For example, it's difficult to build and deploy applications on the platform without experience with AWS tools like Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) or AWS Lambda . The reality is that not all businesses have the required technical expertise in-house, especially small businesses who do not have a dedicated IT team. The solution in these cases is to hire an experienced MSP.  

To learn more about how your business can leverage the full potential of AWS and level up your operations, contact us today.