Steps for Successful Cloud Computing Implementation

Cloud computing, also called cloud solutions or cloud services, provides IT resources on demand over the Internet. Cloud service providers can deliver to their clients everything from applications to data centers on a pay-as-you-go or pay-for-use basis. Cloud computing offers rapid access to flexible and scalable IT resources without upfront capital investments and expenses in hardware, software, installation, maintenance etc. It enables businesses to provide the type and scale of computing resources they need at a given point.

Businesses of all types and sizes can benefit by using cloud services to reduce hardware, software and IT maintenance costs. Cloud providers offer pre-built cloud solutions and network resources, including compute, storage and network resources.

Cloud computing falls into three categories:

• Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) allows businesses to rent IT infrastructure from a cloud provider.
• Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)provides an on-demand environment for software development.
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) - It delivers and provides applications over the Internet.

Successfully implementing or executing cloud computing involves several steps and processes. Proper and successful implementation can completely transform any business from accessing the need for cloud services, defining goals to be achieved, defining a comprehensive plan, etc. Each implementation step must be detailed to ensure a seamless transition to the cloud.

Steps to Successful Cloud Computing Implementation

• Is cloud computing the right strategy - Before implementation, it is essential to identify and establish what is to be accomplished. It can start with establishing baseline metrics of the IT infrastructure, which can map the workloads to assets and applications. Cloud computing may not be the right step for everyone. For risk-averse, conservative, or cautious companies, cloud computing may not be the right choice. But if the goal is to be more mobile, add functionality, increase collaboration, become progressive and cut costs, implementing cloud computing is the right choice.
• Establishing governance - Proper governance for the cloud is essential and needs a holistic approach. The strict regime is because cloud computing makes buying and deploying technology very easy and relatively cheaper. Integrating cloud governance into the existing cloud computing steering committee can be helpful in understanding which workloads work for the cloud. Engaging finance to monitor expenses and departmental expenditures can help restrict rouge cloud activity.
• Managing organizational change - The cloud can be considered one of the most disruptive technologies which can usually impact organizations. It is imperative to get the staff on board and to define steps, processes and even work culture changes to embrace the technological changes needed to implement the cloud. The plan can detail out the training, communication, end-user adoption, project management and more for a seamless transition. It can be done using organizational change management, which can help define the steps, processes and changes within the organization to embrace the technological changes with cloud implementation.
• Creating a transition plan - Transition planning is a vital step. Creating an outline of existing infrastructure and software, including the dependencies versus what will be available, can be very helpful. Many dependencies may or may not be related and a plan can be outlined to decommission the old dependencies and implement the new ones. A detailed analysis can also be done for the network, infrastructure and directories.
• Choosing the right cloud partner - The provider must clearly understand the costs, tools, compliance, security, governance, and cloud skill requirements to cater to the organization's needs. A cloud partner can help perform a SWOT analysis that can help build a strategy and save money. A migration partner should have cloud migration experience, manage migration projects, and have the necessary certification to support and manage the implementation.
• Choosing the cloud environment - Once the strategy is fixed along with the transition plan and the right cloud partner, it's time to select the cloud environment. Cloud environments can be either private, public or hybrid. It's necessary to understand what each cloud environment can offer, their pros and cons.

■ Private cloud - Private cloud environments are maintained either off-site at a third-party data center or on-site. Their use is limited to a single client and offers high security and control. The drawbacks include high upfront costs, difficulty in accessing data from remote locations and the expertise needed for setup.

■ Public cloud - The infrastructure in these environments is shared between clients and companies like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer these services. They offer a flexible environment with easy customization, cost-effectiveness and reliability.

■ Hybrid cloud - It gives the best of both worlds, the public and private cloud systems. Hybrid clouds offer security, a safe environment with reduced costs.

Key takeaways to achieve successful cloud implementation are -

• Understanding the needs and proactive and advanced planning makes cloud migration relatively simple.
• Finding a right cloud partner
• Detailing out the roll-out plan
• Prioritizing information for cloud migration
• Appointing a migration manager

In conclusion, cloud implementation, offering seamless, scalable and secure platforms, is the need of the times for the business world. Cloud implementation assures businesses of operational efficiency, scalability and sustainability. Additionally, cloud computing offers economies of scale and flexibility. An experienced company can help define the cloud computing implementation steps needed to be taken to ease the transition process.