Several businesses shift to the cloud to access the best enterprise-level technology. This shift needs a cloud implementation strategy to turn out to be successful and profitable. A cloud strategy is a corresponding action plan to make the cloud a success. It depends on the kind of business one has, the stage in which the business is, and why it shifted to the cloud. Besides fixing bugs and testing databases, database consultants can help strategize cloud implementation more fruitfully. However, here is a list of ways in which a business owner can successfully plan a cloud strategy:
- Lift and Shift – This is one of the most expensive yet fastest ways of shifting to the cloud. This means taking up whatever is in the data center and lifting and rehosting it into the cloud. Migrating data to the cloud in such a way can prove to be time effective and precise. However, if the user chooses this medium, they must commit to it. It is ineffective to maintain an application on both the data center and the cloud. This implies that the cloud service provider must be effective and chosen wisely.
- Focusing on iteration – Moving applications to the cloud is the very first step in the process. Once that is done, the users must focus on iteration. This includes identifying the costs, features, and products that may be financially difficult to manage. Data centers are cheaper than the cloud, and while cheap alternatives are available, they still cost more than the data center. The iteration must depend on what it costs to transport the products to the market. When planning the cloud strategy, choose tools that give insights into the costs while standing relevant to the business. It is important to calculate the margins and take note of what product is the most profitable to the business.
- Benefits of elasticity and flexibility – Once the business shifts from the data center to the cloud, the users can benefit from the managed services that could reduce the time and increase the value of the products. This means that the users must also adopt the philosophy of elasticity and flexibility to maximize profit. Customer load navigates the trajectory of the systems and their respective costs at this point. Once the customer activity is aligned with the system activity, which is then in tandem with the costs, the users can figure out how well and efficiently their systems are.
- How does the cloud benefit the system? – While planning a cloud implementation strategy, knowing why it is crucial in the first place is essential. If the users know how the cloud benefits their system specifically, they will know which tools can enhance their success rate. When they invest more in the cloud strategy, the chances of duplication of their product becomes minimal to zero. The cloud prototypes build and test the products, making them efficient and faster in the market. It helps the process become faster, and in case of a failed attempt, the business can jump back in no time because of how fast and easy the process is.
- What are the goals, and how would they be ranked? – Having goals and organized outcomes are significant before shifting begins. These goals must be ranked according to the priorities of the business and the needed outcomes. The users must keep their corporate goals in mind while choosing the cloud service. They must be aware of their current unmet needs and the motivation behind opting for the cloud. The users must list their primary stakeholders, so they know the goals of the product and business better.
- Deciding what the right Cloud Deployment Model is? – It is essential to know what type of cloud one wants to deploy within an organization. The cloud deployment model helps understand where the data and the systems will be relocated. The public cloud risks the security of the system but has high elasticity. The private cloud has an efficient infrastructure but is highly capital intensive. The hybrid cloud keeps the workloads local but has two complex operating models. The community cloud, on the other hand, helps in resource pooling from members but lacks governance and accountability.
- Figuring out the cost of moving services to the cloud – Once the users fix the technology and processes, the next step includes evaluating the benefits of the cloud. The users choose cloud services based on thorough research. This involves navigating the costs, improving agility, resourcing the staff, and improving operational efficiency. A dba consultant can monitor the company’s finances and ensure the result is profitable.
- Evaluating the security compliance and data criticality – These evaluations will help the user figure out how much preparation they need for the shifting. Security compliance makes sure the business is capable of controlling and protecting sensitive information. Data criticality accounts for the information’s integrity, accessibility, and confidentiality. This data must be available at all times but must be confidential and safe.
- Communicating the new cloud strategy – The IT and business units need to know the action plan to ensure the shift is smooth. This includes understanding the business values of cloud-based services. To communicate this strategy, the company must engage the entire staff by targeting all levels involved. The implementation steps can be forwarded via mail or any other formal means of communication.
- The implementation of the cloud strategy – The implementation is the tough part. It can take from 2 months to around 2 years to implement it properly. It depends on the size of the organization and the services that need to be transferred into the cloud. The way to implement it well is by creating a mind map and having a good IT and business unit. These units must be efficient and aware of all the cloud services in the market.
Given the elaborate requirements for the migration, it is always practical to outsource it to the experts like Atlas Systems for a stress-free and smooth migration.
