Cloud/Comerical <> automation. I have been burned in the past by "commercial", thankfully I wasn't the guy who had to go to the board hat in hand and say "this

Cloud/Comerical <> automation. I have been burned in the past by "commercial", thankfully I wasn't the guy who had to go to the board hat in hand and say "this isn't in our control"... Every comercial provider is going to do everything in their power to "lock you in" they are going to put up features that are "better enough" that you migrate to them and then they own you. Automate, reduce your workforce as needed (it will be less than your plan) and then look at the commercial provider as a second step, look at them in relation to a real DR plan. You might not like what you see for day to day operations but having them on stand by in the even of an emergency could make you a hero and present a massive cost savings already.