Digital resilience separates leaders from followers, yet enterprises running IBM Power Systems hesitate to modernize because even a momentary disruption can threaten uptime, compliance, and revenue. CloudFirst converts that caution into controlled progress by building secure, compliant, and orchestrated cloud pathways for mission-critical IBM i and AIX workloads. Founded in 2016, CloudFirst has refined a boutique service philosophy that treats every modernization project as a partnership rather than a transaction.
A tri-continental network of Tier-3 data centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada delivers geographic redundancy, low-latency access, and data-sovereignty assurance. Each data center is wrapped in layers of physical and digital protection, backed by duplicate power, cooling, and diverse carrier links, so nothing rests on a single component. When issues arise, traffic swings to backup systems in seconds, so teams in New York, London, and Toronto keep working without any hiccups. The network continued to strengthen in 2025 as CloudFirst worked with Performive to expand its existing strong backbone capacity.
Each project starts with a forensic assessment that documents system dependencies and captures performance baselines as well as compliance gaps. Using those insights, CloudFirst engineers craft phased roadmaps that shield production. Proprietary replication utilities clone each database and object with byte-level precision, integrations are validated end to end, and cutovers are scheduled with surgical timing. The experience feels evolutionary, transparent, and fully strictly aligned with business calendars rather than dictated by technology constraints.
Disaster Recovery as a Service then guarantees resilience. Continuous data replication, automated failover, and geographically redundant backups create recovery environments that mirror production fidelity. Strict recovery-time and recovery-point objectives are achieved, collapsing potential downtime from hours to minutes and preserving both revenue and customer trust when seconds matter. 99.9% uptime service levels turn assurance into a contractual reality.
Our forensic roadmaps, round-the-clock certified experts, and open pricing keep systems live, tick every compliance box, and protect budgets, so clients turn yesterday’s roadblocks into tomorrow’s growth. — Hal Schwartz, CRO
As rules like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS tighten each year, CloudFirst builds governance into every layer. Locked-down encryption with live audit trails and role-based access keeps regulators happy, while experts sweep up any gaps, so that compliance can become a proof of trust, not a chore.
The boutique ethos distinguishes CloudFirst from hyperscale providers. Engagements start with listening, environments are co-designed around strategic objectives, and clients speak directly with senior engineers instead of navigating multi-tiered ticket queues. Service agreements mirror real operating conditions, and issues are solved quickly because support teams know each workload intimately, treating modernization as a shared mission rather than a volume transaction. Predictable economics reinforce that partnership. Transparent monthly pricing erases bill shock, usage-based scaling means clients pay only for what they use, and built-in analytics trim waste, handing finance lower operating costs and rock-solid budgeting accuracy.
Our replication tools, zero-trust guardrails, and network of Tier-3 centers move IBM workloads to the cloud without a blip, unlocking speed, resilience, and big savings. — Chuck Paolillo, COO
When legacy platforms lack a clear path forward, CloudFirst lifts custom apps into the cloud intact, then layers on modern services through a low-risk hybrid approach that keeps the business humming. Cybercrime is racing toward a US$10 trillion price tag, so CloudFirst invests in AI-driven threat hunting, continuous scans, and regular pen tests to stop trouble before it starts, letting clients focus on innovation instead of intrusions.
Guided by President Hal Schwartz’s strategic focus and Chuck Paolillo’s deep IBM Power expertise, CloudFirst joined forces with Performive to add global capacity while keeping its high-touch service intact. The company shows that modernization can be fearless, efficient, and secure.