What is Cloud Readiness?
By James Keating III, Business Technology Architect, Evolving Solutions
If cloud computing wasn’t cloudy enough (pun intended), in terms of what does it mean, but also how does one know when they are ready to move into the cloud? Since cloud is really IT transformation, it can seem difficult to know will cloud be something that will work for me, for my company, for my IT group, or is it just for those people who are already in the cloud or who started out in cloud? Well if you look at IT as a spectrum that looks like the pyramid below:
We can see that success not only in cloud, but for IT in general is determined by the unique situation that each IT function faces. Skills, focus, funding, time, industry, these all play an important role in knowing not only is cloud a good idea, but the who, when, how of cloud that can stymie even the greatest IT groups.
Cloud readiness requires knowing which IT category you are currently working in (as always different groups may be at different points on the pyramid). The key to successful cloud readiness is knowing that all IT groups need to be heading towards “Self Actualized IT”, because if any one group is unable to make the transition, cloud will not yield the benefits that many are looking for.
I have seen non-direct confirmation of the fact that IT needs to be ready for cloud across IT silos with the rise of the “converged” or “appliance” models. These are really an attempt to take teams that are more likely to be at the upper part of the pyramid and make them the nexus for all of the IT delivery – an attempt to jump up the pyramid rapidly without full analysis. For example putting a team of DBA’s in charge of storage, compute and the database via an appliance, or giving the Basis admins control over the database, storage, compute and the application in a converged hybrid cloud. These models are really an acknowledgment that moving to the cloud, or to more efficient IT, is a transformation and it requires IT as a Service skills to be fully realized.
Where are you in this spectrum? A simple cloud potential study can help you find out. By knowing the gaps and the strengths of your specific IT situation you can make the migration to cloud services and IT as a Service less disruptive and more beneficial to the business. It may also help you discover when cloud will be ready for you, and why it may not be the best time just yet. Get the facts to enable IT innovation that will drive business goals. Smarter decisions require insight into the specifics of your company and IT. Contact Evolving Solutions for more information on what a Cloud Potential Study (CPS) could do for you.
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James Keating III is a Business Technology Architect for Evolving Solutions. James is a technology leader in the IT community and brings a combination of excellent technical skills and business acumen which allows him to guide customers in developing IT solutions to meet business requirements.
