With private clouds, the IT providers can make elementary changes internally in how their IT infrastructure is deployed and run to get the benefits of cloud computing. An application hosted in a private cloud environment can allow you greater scalability and reach to bigger customer base.

There are some key steps businesses can take to reap the benefits of cloud computing before they go for cloud-based environment:

• Do Your Homework – Before jumping to cloud computing wagon, understand your business needs and take decisions accordingly. Do you need agile, faster and secure application? And if yes, at what cost? Focus on how many applications can be adapted to cloud-based environment and keep note of the deployment time, cost, value, performance factors. A sound homework would save you from any future hassles.

• Choose a Trusted Service Provider – Choosing a trusted and capable cloud computing provider will solve your most concerns. Try to get as much information about your service provider prior to entering into a relationship. Select a company that has widespread expertise in running a standard, global enterprise infrastructure with hosted private cloud-based solutions. Ensure your cloud service provider can provide rock-solid private cloud services and will handle all facets of your cloud environment.

• Access Enterprise Features – Ensure that the cloud computing services you are paying for include enterprises features. This would not only ensure world-class service but also many standard components like static IP, persistent storage, and certain amount of free bandwidth etc. You can go with companies like NaviSite. NaviSite is a leading provider of cloud enabled enterprise hosting and application management services, offering a comprehensive suite of customized IT as Service solutions.

• Build a Cloud Prototype – Don’t go for all out transformation for the entire IT set up. Start with a small prototype – a cloud of, say around, less than 50 machines. Choose applications which are supposed to get most benefit from cloud environment. Compare their past performance, cost, value etc. to the cloud-based results. And then move forward accordingly.

• Evaluate Control Level – Evaluate how much control you have on your applications as cloud is famous for providing you greater choices of how you want to run your applications and what you can apply from a service-level agreement standpoint to those applications. Go for the comprehensive documentation and evaluation of internal control that will be needed to support management's assessment.

• Commit to a short-term service contract – Initially avoid making a long-term contract. A short-term contract of six months or so will give your company more leverage over service quality and related issues, particularly as the renewal date approaches. This will help you judge the service provider in proper measures.