Living in a Cloud-First, Mobile World
The way we work is changing. Employees are mobile. The modern workforce is no longer strictly bound to the confines of traditional office walls. Thanks to the internet and cloud computing technology, working from home and remotely has never been easier. Organizations that have embraced a cloud-first strategy are enjoying the benefits of cloud adoption.
Organizations that are reluctant to change or failing to fully embrace cloud adoption risk falling behind their savvier competitors. Keeping pace with technological changes is essential to stay relevant in this digital age.
How to Maximize Benefits of Cloud
So, what are some of keys areas enterprise companies can focus on getting right so as to maximize the benefits of cloud? What separates successful cloud adopters from those unable to take full advantage of what cloud has to offer?
If your organization needs to accelerate the pace of cloud adoption, here are some ways to help start or accelerate the progress your cloud migration strategy.
Develop a Cloud-First Strategy
Change is inevitable. But there is a difference in being pushed into change versus leaning in to change.
Digital transformation must be treated as a priority and any successful cloud adoption program starts with a commitment to change and development of a cloud-first mindset. Approaching the migration of applications with a cloud-first approach means having a mindset of “legacy by exception”.
A cloud-first approach means that you prioritize the use of shared, publicly-hosted infrastructures over building and hosting private storage facilities and systems. When it is time to retire and upgrade existing IT networks and systems or consider adopting and deploying new services, evaluate and prioritize cloud options over onsite hardware or software options.
Create a Cloud-First Culture
To create a culture where technological changes are supported and embraced, everyone in the organization should understand how cloud adoption and specific cloud applications will be of benefit to them. A culture of communication and transparency is necessary for support and buy-in. It is critical to garner executive support for cloud migration efforts and to engage a range of stakeholders from across the organization. Bring C-suite leaders into the planning stages and routinely share the results from early migration efforts.
Cloud-First Migration Road Map
As with any major project or business undertaking, having a plan and defining each step in the cloud migration process will ensure greater success in the long term. Set a clear migration path for all applications, not just new or significantly updated apps but for all existing legacy applications that may need to be retrofitted for the cloud. Plan and choose private, public, or hybrid cloud deployment and the mix of cloud services required across infrastructure, platforms, and software for the enterprise based on the needs of the business and the overall IT strategy.
Rather than taking a haphazard approach, having a cloud-first strategy and migration road map helps you to stay on track for cloud migration success. Having a big picture strategy helps you determine how to seamlessly integrate existing systems and data into public, private and hybrid cloud environments.
Start with Security
Security concerns are a hurdle, but should not stop enterprises from adopting cloud. Any cloud-first strategy must consider security from the start. While cloud security challenges do exist, there are solutions available to ensure adequate cybersecurity is in place. Cloud providers like Amazon and Microsoft also have dedicated teams working on security. Most companies rely on a core team of IT and security professionals, but can also have the option to outsource security monitoring functions to third parties.
With leading internet security, email security, identity/access management, end-point security, and software-defined networking solutions, enterprises can simplify their trusted networks, allowing them to better realize the benefits of in-demand cloud applications.
Test, Learn, Tweak
Rather than postponing cloud adoption until a perfect technology solution is created, enterprises can start moving meaningful workloads to the cloud by testing, learning and tweaking their cloud programs. Applying a test-and-learn approach to roll out new automated capabilities and services, and then adjusting elements along the way is a more balanced approach to workload migration.
Benefits of Adopting a Cloud-First Strategy
The benefits of applying a cloud-first strategy include cost savings, scalability, improved productivity and collaboration, and improved recovery abilities.
Cost Savings
While moving to a third-party cloud provider is a recurring cost. However, businesses that adopt a cloud first strategy generally see a reduction in hosting costs, equipment, licensing and labor costs. This is due to time and cost savings associated with managing and hosting applications and servers internally and building and managing legacy hardware.
Agility & Scalability
The ability to speed up the pace of innovation and unlock greater agility is one of benefits of moving to the cloud. The cloud also enables businesses to quickly scale with ease, as and when needed as the businesses grows. When data and applications are managed internally, scaling can be complicated, time-intensive, and expensive with the need for equipment purchases and infrastructure design and upgrades.
Simple Data Backup & Recovery
Data stored and automatically backed up in the cloud is accessible from anywhere and can always be recovered quickly. Unlike the risks of damage or theft to physical device storage, having your data saved in the cloud will allow you to recover and restore all of your data.
Productivity and Improved Collaboration
Collaboration and communication is made easier with cloud. Cloud applications for email, calendar and scheduling applications, along with internal communications tools like voice, video, messaging and conferencing, all help to streamline communications and improve workplace productivity. These collaborative and communication tools also enable and encourage flexible workplace arrangements, which can also boost employee satisfaction and contribute to greater work/life balance.
Unlocking the Benefits of Cloud
Embracing and adopting new infrastructure and cloud programs as part of enterprise digital transformation comes with its opportunities and challenges. While some of the challenges relate to technology, including security and integration into existing operations, others relate to how people, culture and willingness of companies to invest in and organize themselves for digital transformation. Having champions, advocates, and dedicated project managers, along with a cloud-first strategy all help to increase the likelihood of successful cloud adoption.
While creating a cloud-first strategy and cloud migration road map takes time, effort and expertise, getting started is easy. Ascension Global Technology are cybersecurity and project management experts and we can help you plan and implement your secure move to the cloud, with tailor-made solutions for your unique business needs.
Otimize performance without compromising security
Whatever your current level of cloud adoption we can help you maximize value from moving your operations to the cloud. AGT can help you develop your enterprise cloud-first strategy tailored to your unique business needs. Our proven end-to-end approach to cybersecurity ensures you can safely and seamlessly integrate existing systems and data into public, private and hybrid cloud environments.
Contact Ascension Global Technology today for more information.
Resources
Applying a ‘Cloud-First’ Checklist to Ensure Successful Sourcing and Business-IT Alignment
Leaders and laggards in enterprise cloud infrastructure adoption
