FIVE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL CLOUD STRATEGY
processes and organisational structure .
It is therefore vital to identify a workload that will actually perform in the cloud as Infrastructure-as-a-Service ( IaaS ), Platform-as-a-Service ( PaaS ), or Software-as-a-Service ( SaaS ).
To mitigate the potential risk of a significant cloud project it can be beneficial to start with a smaller project such as storing web services , email , intranet projects , data collection or social media in the cloud .
Don ’ t Rush Cloud computing is not a revolution but rather an evolution . There can be a strong temptation to run towards cloud projects with the aim of realising benefits sooner . However , the flexibility inherent in open-source cloud solutions is ideal for a more organic , measured approach .
As with most technology innovations , the costs associated with the cloud continue to drop , giving potential cloud users an incentive to proceed slowly . While cloud can offer significant business benefits , on-premise hardware infrastructure may still be the best approach for some businesses .
Organisations should carefully consider their options before pursuing a cloud strategy .
It ’ s not a sprint , it ’ s marathon . Implement parts of the cloud over time to minimise risk .
Collaboration Is Key A “ DIY ” attitude can put organisations at risk . Companies that can maximise and leverage the work of open source software have the opportunity to experience strength from the power of a network .
Open source software is built on collaboration . It lets organisations reap the benefits of work others have done and further develop that to make it suit the business ’ s specific needs . It can significantly reduce costs and time-todeployment because it eliminates the need for organisations to do all of the development themselves .
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