Cloud transformation is a topic that is often discussed; nevertheless, it is also one that is frequently misunderstood. We address issues often asked to help clear up some of the misinformation.
Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular for businesses to relocate their data, applications, and infrastructure away from conventional onsite facilities and servers.
Leveraging the power of the cloud can help you develop your organization, free you from the constraints of conventional company structures, increase your level of security, and keep you adaptable and competitive in a digital world that is always changing.
However, what exactly do we mean when we talk about cloud transformation? Is moving data to the cloud the same as transforming cloud infrastructure? Where does the concept of digital transformation come into play in all of this?
Sometimes people will use these phrases incorrectly or interchangeably even though they shouldn't be used that way.
After reading this, you'll better understand cloud transformation and have the confidence to go forward with your cloud transformation journey, knowing what actions you should take next.
What does cloud transformation mean?
The process of shifting your work or organization onto the cloud to increase your company's operational efficiency, profitability, and resiliency is called "cloud transformation."
This may need relocating your company's applications, its internal and customer data, and its software programs.
It is also possible that you may need to relocate, develop, or recreate your complete IT infrastructure as a result of this.
The degree of difficulty that a cloud transition will provide for an organization is directly proportional to the business goals that the organization has.
Because of this, cloud transformation might seem to be a complicated process. After all, the term "cloud transformation" may have different connotations for various businesses. It also depends on whether or not they want to operate in a hybrid office/cloud paradigm and how much of their infrastructure and apps are already native to the cloud.
However, the overarching goal for any organization undertaking any cloud transformation is to harness new technology to develop their company in an elegant and scalable way. In addition, they need to react to emerging security risks and a digital market that is continuously changing.
Why is cloud transformation important?
Adopting cloud transformation technology is crucial for modern-day firms in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.
It's imperative for organizations operating in any sector to not only keep pace with shrewd competition but also prioritize continuous growth. To achieve this goal, managers must equip themselves with strategies successful competitors implement and acquire cutting-edge skills in utilizing cloud computing technology effectively.
Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that more than 100 zettabytes worth of data are set for lawful implementation into storage infrastructure by no later than 2025, while Forbes anticipates an estimated increase of up to roughly around 83% in workloads stored on-cloud among companies operating today.
What are the benefits of cloud transformation?
As we’ve mentioned, cloud transformation is the way of the future for organizations. It allows them agility and flexibility in a modern market and unshackles workers from the desk.
Let’s discuss, in details the benefits of cloud transformation here.
Future-proofed business practices
Cloud technology offers an array of perks for businesses- among these are advanced business methods like AI and data analytics.
On top of that, adopting this technology can also make your system eligible for routine upgrades from selected cloud computing providers. These updates might involve new software iterations or better-performing servers with enhanced processing capabilities- giving your company another technological edge in maintaining its competitive advantage.
Transitioning towards the latest in cloud computing enables businesses to integrate intelligent technologies updated via timely patches regularly.
Increased efficiency
Companies stand to gain numerous benefits from prioritizing cloud transformation efforts, primarily through improved operational agility and speed advantages, which can boost the performance of various functions within a company. Manual processes can be accelerated or streamlined by automation features available under cloud transformation initiatives; this includes fast access to crucial business information across different subsidiaries through advanced computing capabilities compared with static siloed data storage in traditional systems where it's confined within individual departments or hierarchies.
Furthermore, integrating AI algorithms with modern analytics software streamlines data processing procedures - providing key decision-makers organization-wide insights into patterns that deliver more excellent intelligent business decisions. This enables companies to save time while delivering better customer value outcomes.
Reduced overhead costs
Embracing cloud transformation may significantly decrease overhead expenses for businesses. According to Nucleus Research, those who make this switch could see returns three times greater than organizations sticking with in-house methods of operation.
Transitioning operations online via the Cloud streamlines administration processes and simplifies workflows.
Using a public cloud platform - such as Azure Cloud, Amazon AWS or Google GCP - spares companies from employing additional IT personnel while reducing costs and increasing productivity.
Scalability – up or down
Incorporating cloud architecture is a wise choice to achieve greater scalability in your business processes. Relying solely on physically located servers puts an unnecessary constraint on operations, but switching over removes those limitations and grants more versatility instead.
You can quickly scale up according to demand - or reduce output when resources go unused.
Flexible working
In the realm of cloud computing benefits lies one well-known advantage - cloud transformation.
It facilitates anytime-anywhere accessibility of a company's data and apps across various mobile devices responsible for providing adequate user authentication rights.
This feature lets customers and employees stay connected regardless of their geographic location. It was also notable how it proved valuable during unprecedented situations, such as when the masses turned to remote work options due to widespread lockdowns.
Improved Security
Cybersecurity should be an ongoing priority for organizations seeking protection against online attacks. Yet maintaining this aspect in-house might create complications by taking away valuable time from existing operational objectives such as business continuity or achieving growth targets while ensuring safety against malicious intrusions that might cripple services overnight.
The solution lies in opting for cloud-based services whereby external experts specialize in cybersecurity and are responsible for monitoring emerging threats around the clock – thus assuring safety parameters so companies can focus primarily on core initiatives without worry about online security.
The typical stages of cloud transformation
The following three main steps make up the typical progression of the cloud transition process:
Application Transformation
Ensuring an organization’s existing applications operate efficiently in a new cloud environment requires undergoing application transformation processes. The adaptation process varies depending on how much tweaking is needed for migrated apps to function compatibly with their new surroundings.
For instance, some “lift and shift” migration processes may require simple movement only, while others need modifications—such as redesigning frontend interfaces—to match their recently chosen cloud hosts.
Nonetheless, there are moments when minor tweaks may not suffice if you aim at marking your organization’s comprehensive migration procedures into your preferred Cloud platform idealistically seamless.
This happens when an all-inclusive overhaul involves changing everything from frontend aesthetics to middleware installation routines and data storage and processing methodologies.
Network transformation
"Network transformation" refers to relocating your networking components onto a Cloud platform. The traditional approach of storing hub-and-spoke architectural networks within data centers housed onsite was made safer with security perimeters such as firewalls.
To obtain network accessibility through these architectures at that time, users needed to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) linked to a VPN concentrator situated onsite, requiring user interaction via these locations exclusively.
However, this procedure became obsolete over time due to its outdated technique. Utilizing Cloud computing services inevitably eliminates VPN dependency assumptions that are no longer prevalent when using Software-Defined Networking (SDN).
Cloud computing technology rapidly improving over time but has massive potential ultimately towards remote infrastructural management capabilities integrated internet-wide distribution channels dispersed across hybrid or multi-cloud configurations available all through one source location environment sets them apart from traditional IT departments of older times for surety sake with immense security protocols surrounding data breaches even under the most extreme conditions tested online regularly for third-party intrusions acting as proper buffers against intrusion attempts helping keep your databases fully protected while keeping user accessibility streamlined at all times available upon official confirmation of acquisition process completion.
Security transformation
Security transformation aims to address security issues before, after, and during Cloud migration effectively.
Every situation requires unique security techniques tailored explicitly for competent protection purposes. One critical thing to remember is that some controls previously suitable for on-premises may not work when used in a cloud environment setting, leading to significant setbacks related to data safety procedures.
Encrypting sensitive information while collecting or shifting it from one location to another ensures no cyber-attacks will occur during this transition phase.
Establishing frequent backups and an emergency plan for potential unavoidable catastrophes safeguards your enterprise from unexpected situations that can lead to detrimental effects if not handled correctly without causing any disruption within the company's continuity.
Cloud transformation vs. cloud migration
Transitioning towards implementing a cloud-based solution can be an extensive process requiring effort and time. It includes transplanting all of your data and apps while additionally restructuring your entire organization to optimize functions, removing the reliance on on-premises infrastructure, and shifting towards server hosting capabilities via the cloud platform. It’s a process that often involves a lot of moving parts, such as -
How will you connect to your networks?
How will you keep your data safe?
What processes do you need to implement?
How much of your business is already cloud compatible?
What new technology do you need to deploy?
Transitioning specific business data to the cloud while preserving your existing infrastructure defines migration to the cloud.
The transition requires this as an essential aspect when evolving your enterprise into an agile, cloud-ready entity. For this reason, moving your data and applications onto servers hosted in the cloud proves crucial for effective performance. Nevertheless, facilitating a complete move to the clouds involves more than just embarking on migration alone.
Conversely, if a company already possesses substantial compatibility with offsite storage services like clouds, then successfully migrating their data could suffice to adopt new operational models.
Cloud transformation vs. digital transformation
Digital transformation is the adoption of digital technology that permeates every aspect of organizational operations and engenders many modifications in doing business - from rethinking standard operating procedures to improving how a company interacts with its customers. To meet the challenge of this change, firms must alter attitudes and behaviors around established practices, embrace risk when trying new things, readily adopt what works and let go of what doesn't serve well.
Specifically, cloud-based systems are at the forefront of any firm's robust digital transformation plan, which updates older protocols or phases these out when they no longer meet evolving needs while unleashing significant technological benefits for growth opportunities.
Conclusion
Cloud changes are sticking around, and that's the way companies will run things moving forward. If you do it right, the good stuff it brings can't be ignored.
Cloud changes can sometimes mess with your head because folks often use many words for the same thing – and they're not always right. But if you understand what's different about moving to the cloud, changing in the cloud, and how it fits into the big picture of digital changes, they'll all become a piece of cake to tackle.
Our cloud experts here at dtiTek can help you, contact us. We are readily available to assist you.