Keeping your options open.
WHAT LOCK-IN IS
Dependence that makes leaving a provider difficult or expensive.
WHAT CREATES IT
Provider-specific services with no equivalent elsewhere Data in proprietary formats Large volumes of data, where moving it costs Integrations built around one provider Skills concentrated in one platform
THE DATA EGRESS POINT
Many providers charge for data leaving.
Moving a large volume can cost substantially.
WHAT REDUCES LOCK-IN
Standard technologies rather than proprietary equivalents Regular exports of your own data Documented configuration Avoiding deep integration with provider-specific features
WHAT IT COSTS TO AVOID IT
Sometimes convenience or capability.
WHAT TO DECIDE
How much portability is worth to you.
Complete portability is expensive and rarely necessary.
WHAT TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN
Your own copy of your data, exported periodically.
WHAT TO TEST
That the export is usable.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE ADOPTING ANYTHING
The exit path.
