Cloud Strategy Workshops

Transcription

1 Cloud Strategy Workshops Overview of Info-Tech s Service Offering Info-Tech Research Group 1

2 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 2. An Introduction to the Cloud 3. Info-Tech s Cloud Strategy Workshops 4. Our Methodology and Approach 5. Contact Information Info-Tech Research Group 2

3 Executive Summary What is the cloud? The cloud enables organizations to access third party resources, and pay for the services based on usage rather than fixed costs. Other than cost-savings, the cloud s value stems from reduced implement time, less technical complexity and higher performance capabilities. Organizations leverage cloud technology through three channels: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Where do you use the cloud? While 28% of IT departments have deployed cloud solutions in 2011, many lack a strategy for enterprise adoption. Business units and technology groups go after cloud purchases without coordination, missing out on volume licensing discounts and service level perks, while potentially exposing the organization to serious security risks. A cloud adoption strategy helps the business engage IT to select optimal solutions on an ongoing basis, while yielding the best ROI. Why do you need a cloud strategy? There are a number of reasons why organizations need a strategy to address the cloud. First, business units find it time-consuming and costly to engage IT in smaller technology projects. While bypassing IT seems to make the most sense in the short-term, business units often rely on IT to support and maintain the vendor relationship in some capacity in the long-term, which complicates resource allocation on other projects. Second, while the cloud presents an opportunity for IT to shift its focus from reacting to daily requests to working on more proactive and strategic initiatives, it is difficult to make sense of security standards as the market for cloud services has yet to mature. A comprehensive strategy that provides a simple selection process for business units while keeping IT in the loop will ensure business units approach vendors pre-approved by IT, simplifying support, reducing risks and enabling IT to plan ahead. Info-Tech Research Group 3

4 More businesses are using cloud computing, leading to a 75% increase in adoption in the last year What is cloud computing? 75% increase in public cloud deployment between 2010 and 2011 Public Cloud Derive resources such as processing, memory and storage capacity from a third party s grid of physical servers Access the resources via internet, in tandem with other users who share the access which allows for lower unit costs Pay for the access according to an usage-based costing model which allows for lower overheads and lower unit costs % 16% 28% Private Cloud Access resources from a wholly owned infrastructure (single tenant) it is sometimes called a private cloud IT departments which have deployed the cloud Info-Tech Research Group 4

5 Realized Positive Impact IT departments that have a strategy for going to the cloud realize several positive benefits The cloud s value stems from cost-savings, reduced implement time, less technical complexity and higher performance requirements Having a cloud strategy can help your organization focus on getting the best cloud ROI Cost Savings Due to economies of scale, cloud services charge similar unit costs to enterprise and SME s for similar services. 100% 80% 60% 69% 73% 78% 85% Rapid and Flexible Application Development The ability to scale service up and down depending on demand and the changing business requirements. 40% 20% 85% 78% 73% 69% Performance Requirements High traffic periods usually result in cramped capacity in house, but cloud services can be dialed up to meet needs on demand. 0% Performance Requirements Rapid Flexible App Dev Benefits Business-driven Infrastructure Cost Savings IT-driven Infrastructure Cost Savings Info-Tech Research Group 5

6 When the business makes technology decisions without strategizing with IT, it can lead to a lower ROI Cloud deployments rarely realize expected benefits 89 % 83 % Cost savings and capability improvements exist across the board but have different sources and impacts Hardware Infrastructure Servers, Networks, Storage IaaS % 44 % Middleware Program Framework (e.g..net), Database Objects, Web Services. PaaS Applications SaaS 0 Reduced Operating Expense Expected Reduced Capital Expense Realized N= 200, Source: Applied Research End Users We help you choose the layers that address your pain points Info-Tech Research Group 6

7 Info-Tech s Cloud Strategy Workshops align IT with the business to get the most value from the cloud Cloud Strategy Workshops will help your business and technology teams partner and educate them on cloud computing, its benefits, and its use. Cloud Strategy Workshops assist the Business to: Expedite delivery of IT solutions through the cloud Store and analyze business data for decision making Ensure regulatory compliance with your organization s standards and guidelines Reduce time spent trouble-shooting cloud solutions and services Cloud Strategy Workshops assist the IT department to: Prevent other business departments bypassing IT for rogue projects Avoid future integration challenges Ensure technology compliance with the IT department s standards and guidelines Reduce end-user requests and support for rogue cloud projects Info-Tech Research Group 7

8 Our methodology is designed to help you kick-start your cloud initiatives Workshop Preparation Day 1: IT Only Workshop Day 2: IT and Business Workshop Follow-Up: Developing the Roadmap Kick-off Level-Setting with IT (1.5 hours) Level-Setting with the Business (1.5 hours) Documenting the Current State Confirming Roles and Scope Understanding the Current State (1 hour) Discussing the Current State (1 hour) Documenting the Future State Defining the Participants Adjusting to the Cloud within IT (0.5 hours) Adjusting to the Cloud in the Business (0.5 hours) Developing the Cloud Strategy Roadmap Developing the Communication Letter Discussing the Future State (1 hour) Discussing the Future State (1 hour) Customizing the Workshop Content Post-Workshop Post-Workshop Planning Session with IT Sponsors (1-2 hours) Debriefing the Project Sponsors (1-2 hours) Off Site On Site Off Site Info-Tech Research Group 8

9 Our workshops are based on industry experience and research harnessed from 25,000 IT professionals worldwide Selection of cloud resources: Topic Definition of the Cloud Developing a Position on Cloud Platform as a Service Building an Infrastructure-asa-Service Internal Cloud Cloud Engagement Models for Business and IT Selecting the Right Cloud Service Partner Research Use Cloud Computing to Achieve Small Enterprise Savings Cloud Ecosystem Develop a Position on Cloud Platform as a Service Vendor Landscape: Platform as a Service Build an Optimized Infrastructure-as-a-Service Internal Cloud Vendor Landscape: Infrastructure as a Service Develop a Cloud Storage Strategy Prepare IT for Increased Cloud Adoption Storyboard: Develop a Data Privacy Compliance Strategy Select the Right Cloud Infrastructure Service Partner Info-Tech Research Group 9

10 Best Practices Walk-through Info-Tech s best practices framework for technology adoption Needs Assessment Who defines the business need? Technology Procurement Who will manage the procurement? Financial Management Who will bear the costs? Will it come out of the IT budget? Vendor Management Who will manage the vendor relationship? Who will ensure SLAs are being met? Integration and Interoperability How much integration does this solution require? Access to Technology Who will have access to this technology? Security/Risk What type of data are we storing in the cloud? What is the risk of managing it externally? Support/Maintenance Who will manage the support and maintenance of the solution? IT or the vendor? Info-Tech Research Group 10

11 Contact us to find out more about our Cloud Strategy Workshops Eric Wright Engagement Director Eric Wright leads the Info-Tech consulting practice. He has over fifteen years of IT and management consulting experience, and has provided assistance to numerous small and mid-sized organizations. John Sloan Research Lead John Sloan has been a Research Analyst with Info-Tech Research Group since His areas of research involvement include data center infrastructure management, storage technologies, server and storage virtualization, and disaster recovery planning. Discuss your requirements with us: consulting@infotech.com Toll Free: Outside North America : Info-Tech Research Group 11