Mastering the Multi-Cloud
Cloud technology has been around for over a decade. In this time, it has allowed new business models to exist that was previously impossible, bringing in a whole host of disruptive influences into all sectors. However, despite its maturity in application, only 20% of cloud migration is achieved in businesses - and this is the most basic 20%. The other 80% remains locked to the ground with hindrances from legacy technology and the languid mindset that comes with it.
CLOUD CHALLENGES
Driving AI, automation, blockchain and IoT integration in cloud has become a differentiator for businesses dealing with data. The reality is that every business is a business dealing with data - and many of them struggle with transitioning to multi-cloud.
Across industries, the challenges remain similar: variance in cloud application and adaptability is more segmented by organisation age, since newer start-ups do not face the same legacy tech struggles as incumbents. Moving data and applications to the cloud, or indeed, clouds, creates problems around consistency: how can you ensure that the stored data is stored across both existing, traditional applications and cloud software is the same? And how can you guarantee function across these different interfaces?
The solution of hybrid, multi-cloud, allows the marriage of cloud-native and traditional components to function seamlessly. But this is itself certainly not free of challenges when it comes to implementation.
Many of the cloud challenges are to do with business operations. How can you prevent transformation or cloud migration from hindering day-to-day progression as a business? On the other hand, pressure from competitors encourages transformation, with the mantra “it’s what everyone else is doing”. Drawing that line between keeping up with everyday business and keeping up with everyday competition creates tension. The processes of cloud migration themselves kick up challenges, just as they solve long-standing efficiency problems.
PEOPLE PROBLEMS, PROCESS PROBLEMS
Indeed, before a business can even embark on this discussion, it is vital to pinpoint the exact problem they intend the cloud to mitigate, and what they hope to achieve from its deployment. Specificity is key to this process. Often, the simplification agenda can override the true value of multi-cloud migration. It’s not sufficient enough to say you’re aiming for greater efficiency; there must be a business-driven purpose for this efficiency. Are your customers demanding faster roll-out? Is your competition growing faster? Knowing why you’re deploying the technology, and what you hope to gain from it, gives streamlined purpose to your actions.
When it comes to presenting ROI to senior stakeholders, this gives further drive to a project. Whether for cloud or with another technology deployment, the power in translating tech deployment into business objectives with clear goals cannot be overstated when trying to secure buy-in at an executive level.
The value assessment can also be cited as a difficulty in cloud deployment. Tracking costs of deployment is simple enough, but when it comes to benefits - what metrics are right for this? How can they be comparably measured to the initial costs? Creating new metrics for measuring benefits that are aligned with business objectives, in response to this issue. Specificity again raises its head as the key to unlock this: creating specific metrics is vital in articulating benefits in the context of value. Changing the conversation around the metrics themselves allows for a more productive and targeted deployment.
Senior business leaders dealing with cloud implementation have also noted that a post-project assessment and breakdown of success is crucial at the end of the project. It contributes to corporate memory which can then be called upon when embarking on future projects.
If cloud is a means to an end for your business, there isn’t enough specific targeting of problems. Implementation should be about business objectives, married with value - and so much of this is about structuring conversation correctly. While the tech certainly poses abounding challenges, humans pose enough of their own.
If you would like to learn more about how to master the move to multi-cloud, Nimbus Ninety are hosting a complimentary breakfast in partnership with IBM on the 24th September 2019.
