Navigating your multi-cloud journey can be complex and time-consuming.
Many customers are already on the path to multi-cloud. They may be just starting out and need to transform their data center into a private cloud; they may need to integrate their existing environment with one or more public clouds; they may already be leveraging public clouds but need additional capabilities. Wherever they are in their journey, these are challenges that we at VMware Learning have recognized and want to address so you, our valued customers, are better prepared. You can learn more about navigating your multi-cloud journey during our April 26 webinar.
To achieve an effective cloud migration, it’s crucial to move away from traditional siloed approaches and adopt a cloud operating model. The cloud requires a new way of thinking and operating, which is different from traditional IT methods. A cloud operating model is designed to deliver services more efficiently towards the business, the developers, and the application owners.
The cloud operating model in action
In a cloud operating model, service consumers should be able to consume any type of service from any type of cloud, either from the edge, private, hybrid, or public. IT should be able to deliver those services and still maintain control. The way to do this is through a cloud management platform that provides service delivery, operations, and governance.
A cloud management platform is a critical component of a cloud operating model. It enables IT to deliver services to the business, developers, and application owners, while maintaining control. The cloud management platform provides a comprehensive view of the entire cloud environment, enabling IT to manage resources, automate workflows, and enforce governance policies.
Adopting a cloud operating model can provide a range of benefits for businesses. It enables you to deliver services more efficiently to the business, developers, and application owners. It also provides a comprehensive view of the entire cloud environment, enabling IT to manage resources more effectively. Additionally, a cloud operating model ensures that your cloud environment remains secure, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.
The 5 Rs of modernization
The first challenge we face when modernizing legacy applications is prioritizing which ones to modernize first. Evaluating thousands of applications as part of an extensive assessment project can be massive. Instead, we select a subset of the portfolio to work on. This helps us quickly obtain quantitative and qualitative data, enabling us to build an initial backlog with minimal risk. Our methodology determines whether we should rehost, re-platform, refactor, retire, or retain individual apps. We call these the 5 Rs of modernization.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these options:
- Refactor: This involves rewriting the application, usually to a microservices architecture. This approach offers high potential return and growth opportunities.
- Replatform: This approach involves moving the application from virtual machines (VMs) to containers. Replatforming balances potential returns with risks.
- Rehost: This approach involves migrating the application “as-is” to the cloud. Rehosting reduces the risk of change, including regulatory, compliance, and technical issues, while still providing a moderate return.
- Retain: This approach involves doing nothing. It’s a viable option if the modernization investment shows low potential returns.
- Retire: This approach typically involves replacing the application with a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. It may also include retaining the data while discontinuing the app. The retire approach is often used when an app has a net negative contribution to the portfolio, requiring a long-term exit strategy.
Moving towards a cloud operating model means transitioning from a traditional IT delivery approach to a cloud delivery of services. This transition requires a significant change in mindset and approach. Let’s take a look at some key points in the shift from traditional to cloud operating models.
Why migrate to the cloud?
Traditional IT delivery is IT-centric, project-focused, and often siloed. It operates in a static environment where the less change, the better. Heavyweight governance or none at all, and manual IT service development and delivery is the norm. A “peanut butter spread” cost management approach is often used where the cost of IT is spread out evenly across the organization.
On the other hand, a cloud operating model is customer-focused, service-oriented, and operates in a dynamic environment where change is the new normal. Cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams work together to deliver IT services. The model adopts a service-based approach to cloud operations and management. Automated delivery of IT services from development to consumption is the norm. A cross-cloud, service-based cost management approach is also adopted, where you consume, you pay.
So, why should organizations make the switch to a cloud operating model?
Well, the benefits are many. For one, the customer-focused and service-oriented approach means that IT services are more closely aligned with the needs of the business. The dynamic environment also means that the organization is more agile and can respond more quickly to changing market conditions. Automated delivery of IT services from development to consumption also means that the organization can move faster and more efficiently.
Of course, there are also challenges to implementing a cloud operating model. One of the biggest challenges is cultural change. Moving from a traditional IT delivery approach to a cloud operating model requires a significant shift in mindset and approach. The organization also needs to develop the skills and capabilities required to operate in a cloud environment. The adoption of new tools and technologies is also necessary.
Moving towards a cloud operating model is not just a technological shift, but a cultural one as well. It requires a change in mindset and approach. However, the benefits are many and can help organizations become more agile, responsive, and customer focused.
Upcoming Webinar – Critical Cloud Migration Planning
Picking the right migration strategy is key to getting the very best out of cloud. By taking a smart approach, you can accelerate innovation, boost efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. Learn best practices that will help you accelerate growth to the cloud. During this interactive webinar session, learn about common approaches, roadblocks and how to navigate complexities many companies face when migrating to the cloud. In addition, we will discuss assessing the current environment and examining security and compliance. Maximize your impact and look like a rockstar during the planning session! Register today!
