Still looking for answers on to common cloud questions? You aren’t alone. According to Gartner, the cloud technologies and services market is expected to accelerate in growth over 17% this year—that’s jump of $206B. Whether you are evaluating the public cloud, private cloud, or a hybrid approach, there are many factors and challenges to navigate and consider for your organization.
We have answers to four commonly asked questions about security, compliance and migration to the cloud. And our resident Cloud Subject Matter Expert, Rick Trujillo has answers.
1. How can businesses keep legacy apps on their path to the cloud?
Is there a cloud-based version of the application? One of the things I always like to recommend is an internal review of software that could be considered for SaaS. Several software vendors offer an upgrade from perpetual licensing to SaaS as an option today.
If Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is factored in properly, it can make sense to move to a SaaS version of the application, removing the need for on premise hardware and allowing the IT workforce to spend their time on innovative projects. Lean out the on-premise infrastructure so that you can make a safe assessment of leftover workloads that better qualify to go to private or public cloud.
Get some help. Sometimes SaaS isn’t the option. A proper assessment can determine how and when the legacy application should make its journey to the cloud.
Today’s clients are apprehensive about asking for help because they think it will cost a lot of money—not always the case. There are plenty of free or low-cost products available. When these are used correctly with a partner who knows how to maximize the value of those products, an assessment can be a sensible approach.
2. What do you want CIOs to know about avoiding monthly fees?
To be candid, a monthly recurring model is where everyone is going, so get used to it. Monthly billing is more manageable and easier to digest for the business than large upfront costs. So, if managed properly, it won’t sting as much.But my favorite reason for considering monthly billing isn’t about money.
Most monthly recurring revenue models—take Microsoft CSP for example—offer additional benefits to the customer that make it so much easier to manage the strain of licensing and resource management.
In CSP, you only pay for what you want or use, and this can be flexed monthly. Microsoft CSP also offers U.S.-based, more personalized and responsive support—much more convenient than support-ticketing and paying for support programs through Microsoft directly.
The CSP program also encourages mixing it up with a partner. A partner who in most cases offers managed services and a more value-driven relationship, assuming they do their job and stay in front of you.
3. What would you tell IT Directors who are avoiding the cloud because of compliance regulations?
My suggestion is to take the time to really learn how far the world of cloud has come in dealing with compliance. Although it is ultimately the responsibility of the client to understand data protection and compliance,SaaS and cloud providers now offer features to make it easier to manage.
Never stop asking your vendors and partners about compliance. Because legislation is constantly changing. If vendors and providers want to stay in business, they must be up-to-date with what is happening and must be prepared to explain it to you, the client.
4. Can migration to the cloud actually become too disruptive to productivity?
It really can be. I can’t stress enough that having the right partner equipped with the right consultative approach and assessment capability can save a business. The questions of how do we get to the cloud? should be expanded to how can we get to the cloud with zero regrets?
Few organizations have internal resources capable of making complete cloud transformations on their own. The hyperscales (Microsoft, Google, Amazon) make it sound easy, but ultimately the migration process takes a lot of consideration and conversation before executing.That makes seeking outside help extremely important.
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If you’re ready to move to the private cloud, MicroAge can help. Call 800-544-8877 to set up a meeting and learn how we can take the risk and the hassle out of your move to the cloud.
“Rick Trujillo is an IT Solutions Consultant at MicroAge where he is a subject matter expert on the benefits of the cloud. Rick educates associates throughout MicroAge on how they can support clients on their move to the cloud while empowering data governance and limiting resource sprawl.”
Rick TrujilloDirector of Cloud Business
