- Rapid early adoption of cloud computing revealed critical needs for strategic planning due to spiralling costs and security concerns.
- A structured cloud transition strategy aligns IT capabilities with business objectives, including assessment, visioning, and exploration.
- Phased implementation of cloud strategies enhances management, security, and adaptability, turning technology into a competitive advantage.
Early Days: Ad-hoc Adoption and Challenges
Most companies lacked a coherent strategy in the nascent stages of cloud computing. Developers, frustrated by slow IT response times, gravitated towards public cloud services, which were affordable, elastic, and self-service. This ad-hoc adoption spread rapidly worldwide. Initially, this seemed like a practical solution, but soon, the drawbacks became apparent. With no strategic oversight, costs spiralled as cumulative expenses soared, and concerns over security and governance intensified. Business units independently escalated their use of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, further complicating the landscape.
At first, both IT departments and the rest of company management saw it as a passing fad to be avoided and a threat to one’s position since the cloud may pose severe risks to an organization's security. Some tried to dispel the cloud's credibility, which is a typical response many industries and stakeholders give to disruptive technologies.
Shift in Perspective: A need to recognize the inevitable
What changed was not the business environment but the rhythm of business. Traditional organizations saw that new business models based on the cloud quickly developed new strategies without investing in hardware. They simply could not afford to turn their backs on the cloud in a market that shifts with new trends every few months. The choice was clear: go cloud or risk being left out.
Developing a Cloud Strategy
Deciding that change is needed, most organizations are either in the process of strategizing or actively in the process of transitioning to the cloud. Nonetheless, it is pretty challenging to design an efficient cloud strategy. As important as it is, it needs to complement the business, as well as the goals and objectives of the company. Here’s how businesses can strategically approach their cloud transition:
Stage 1: Before you start mapping out your IT strategy on a blank canvas, it would help to evaluate your current IT strategy.
Start by addressing the present state of the IT environment; typically, an organization has a complex environment with different solutions collected over the years, much akin to a garage that used to be orderly but gradually became filled with all sorts of random objects. This assessment should not be done in isolation; people from the business and IT side of the firm and other team members who will be using/working on these services should be involved. Determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to a business by focusing on areas where change is necessary for the company to adapt to its clients.
Stage 2: Picture the Possibilities – Understand The Future
Analyze the current state of your IT provision, define what needs to be changed or improved, and then look at the future. Possible issues to contemplate are the existing competition, industry changes, and potential technological advances that competitors might be implementing. This is essential for planning a hybrid or multi-cloud model that can successfully address future shifts within the business.
Stage 3: See What Is There
Consider cloud opportunities after you get the primary idea about your company and its future development. Trade with colleagues to learn what is new in the market and what practices are recommended. This, in turn, should assist with creating a strategy that effectively levels the playing field against the possible formation of larger players.
Stage 4: Develop a Cloud Hybrid Environment Plan
Now is when you begin to ‘put the cat back in the bag’ and formally start implementing your cloud strategy. This joint venture should be by the business and IT managers, building on past strategy directions. Some include delay times, cost implications, usability, compliance with regulations and guidelines set for specific industries and national data laws. Such planning will help you ensure that your cloud plan fits into the business model and the set legal standards.
Stage 5: Implementation Plan
Last of all, the phases of project implementation should always be considered. However, it is unrealistic and ineffective to perform migrations of everything simultaneously. Begin by supporting existing public cloud workloads while providing additional management and security. Next, specific projects suitable for the cloud-based environment, including the most advantageous common service applications, can be reintroduced or new microservices created inside containers. Early use of the public cloud should be considered for software development projects generally characterized by short deadlines. This phased model reduces risk and accommodates your and your organization’s future technological and market changes.
Conclusion
The transition to cloud computing is a technological upgrade and a strategic transformation that requires careful planning and phased implementation. By assessing the current state, envisioning the future, exploring possibilities, creating a strategic plan, and planning practical implementation steps, companies can effectively navigate their journey to the cloud. This strategic approach ensures that cloud computing is an IT upgrade and a leveraged advantage in the business’s competitive toolkit.
Are you ready to capitalize on the growing demand for cloud computing experts? As businesses increasingly move to the cloud, the need for skilled professionals is skyrocketing. Fortray is here to equip you with cutting-edge certifications in cloud technology. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to advance your career with the best in the business. Enroll in Fortray’s certification programs today and become the cloud expert every company is searching for!
