Not Cloud, Data!

According to a recent article I read, you need a data strategy more than you need a cloud strategy! Hmm...

I work for a company that has a uniquely strong presence in cloud computing. Without turning this into a marketing pitch, we are top-right Gartner for cloud managed services, and one of 5 companies (I'm told) in the world that deliver at the premier partner level across all the hyper-scalar cloud vendors. I say this to emphasize the importance of cloud to our business. Conversations with customers usually center around questions like: When should I move to the cloud? What will the costs be and when do I achieve the promised ROI? Which vendor should I choose? What about vendor-lock? You get the idea.

These are all good questions which must be considered and answered. However, in reading an article from [a well-known big data company that recently underwent a massive merger], they offered a slightly different perspective which I propose holds tremendous value as we strive to navigate the mayhem and promise that is cloud:

Don't focus on cloud-->focus on data.

Most organizations will find themselves moving to or sustaining a cloud presence in some form or other in the near future. During these transition/maturation periods, the focus is usually buying/managing infrastructure vs. outsourcing infrastructure. For some reason there's always a focus on infrastructure.

Consider this. Is infrastructure the lifeblood of your organization, or is data? Infrastructure is a cost point--and a big one for sure--but, is the decision a value prop question about cap-ex vs. operating cost, or the issue really about how to create or expand business value from data? We consistently give lip service to statements like "Other than people, data is our most important asset!", but do we really mean it? Are we putting data at the center of our business decisions? Are we really assessing the full range of opportunities in front of us?

Many cloud migration/transformation efforts don't consider the business/mission first, and the wonderful opportunities for transformative business delivery through new security, scalability, service, and governance options. Through such a major move as cloud, one could also seize the opportunity for cleansing as you move from iron to cloud, or to put in business processes and services that support improved quality controls or metrics.

I would recommend that you think about your data first, and let your (important) infrastructure options become a factor that supports or augments your core business or mission (data) capabilities. When we talk about cloud, let's not start with, "Do I want to go with vendor X?" Or, "Do I need a hybrid solution?" Rather, let's talk about what's really important: "What new value or capability am I trying to derive from my data and how can I maximize it?"

Thoughts?