Which of the following might factor into an exit strategy for a cloud customer?

An effective exit strategy for a cloud customer must involve considerations that make it feasible to transition away from a cloud service provider without excessive difficulty or cost. Standardization is key in this scenario. When a cloud infrastructure is built on standardized technologies and interfaces, it simplifies the process of migrating from one environment to another. This standardization reduces the risk of compatibility issues and enables smoother data management, as well as easier integration with other platforms.

Moreover, standardized processes make it possible for the cloud customer to understand and anticipate the steps needed to move their data and applications elsewhere, should they decide to do so. This not only enhances their negotiating power with service providers but also contributes to a more strategic decision-making process regarding cloud services.

Other factors such as vendor lock-in can hinder an exit strategy by creating dependencies on specific technologies or services that are difficult and costly to reverse. Self-service and automation are valuable aspects of cloud management but do not directly address the concerns related to transitioning away from a provider. Standardization plays a pivotal role in ensuring that a cloud environment is adaptable, thereby directly supporting a well-structured exit strategy.