To Cloud or Not to Cloud: Do I Need to Transition Everything to the Cloud All at Once?
"To Cloud or Not to Cloud" is a regular feature here in the
CloudStrategies Newsletter. Each issue we'll take one specific
frequently asked question about how to decide whether or not
there's a strategy by which your company would benefit from the
transition to cloud computing. We'll explore
various answers to that question and help you do a deep-dive
analysis of the right answer for you.
This issue's question is:
Do I Need to Transition Everything to the Cloud All at Once?
There's a popular management homily which counsels us that when faced with a large problem we should break it down into smaller pieces and attack each piece separately. That's especially true when addressing information technology issues. The more granular your approach, the more secure you are from business disruption.
The transition to cloud computing is no exception. It is by no means "all or nothing" when planning to take advantage of cloud-based strategies.
Begin by segregating each of your current IT functions. Productivity tools, line-of-business applications, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other operating functions, utility services, all need to be considered independently to provide maximum flexibility when constructing your plans. In essence, you want to strategically "dis-integrate" your network on your planning board and take a whole new approach to "re-integrate" in the cloud. Consider existing leases, service contracts, and other term-limited expenses to time your migration to coincide with the terminus dates for each to maximize your return on investment and minimize duplication of expense.
Think of the cloud not as a singular service, but as a pool of resources each independently available to perform a specific function. Productivity tools may be obtained from a "software-as-a-service" provider who delivers them over the internet very cost-effectively. Line-of-business applications may be housed at an "infrastructure-as-a-service" provider whose development tools and APIs (Application Program Interfaces) are most consistent with your own. Data Storage may be obtained separately from a provider who specializes in just that function. Then add in the various utilities you'll need such as data backup, network monitoring, systems monitoring, security and identity management. Making a separate decision for each can dramatically reduce your longterm total cost of ownership and accelerate your return on investment.
Protect & Grow
Another popular management adage that is most aptly applied here. Once you have broken out each of your IT functions into a separate phase with its own plan and execute upon that plan, it is important to test and measure performance. Do so until you are confident that the function has been successfully transitioned. The last thing you want is to have "too many balls in the air." Protect each decision with careful testing and evaluation before moving on to the next step in your growth plan.
Strategy
Cloud migration should be a long-term strategy to assure slow steady progress with minimal or no chance of business disruption. We take great pride in reminding our clients that while everyone else is talking about cloud, we are focused on strategies. Our experts examine and evaluate every available cloud service and can provide tremendous guidance and assistance in your planning and execution of your gradual cloud migration.