The Cloud has attained almost mythical status with businesses and even high-end tech people for speed, efficiency, and for a lot of more specific good reasons. If you’re looking at Cloud options, your main problem is likely to be terminology. You need a clear picture of what the Cloud is, how it works, and what it can do for you.
What is the Cloud?
The Cloud is a whole range of assets and services which are provided without any need for setup. Data is stored in data centres around the world, rather than onsite. These data centres go far beyond conventional servers and standard storage, running computer and digital operations 24/7. This extremely effective way of automating and managing operations is the primary focus and function of the Cloud.
The Cloud rationalises the need for onsite IT resources and generally provides a whole spectrum of operational efficiencies of this kind. (These values actually are measurable, and you’ll see some very interesting metrics.)
The Cloud is definitely not a synonym for the internet. It accesses the internet, but its operations aren’t online as such. Most people use the Cloud all the time, but don’t even notice they’re using it, like for email, etc. The whole basis of the Cloud is operational scale. Gmail, for example, is a Cloud-using service. That’s some sort of indicator of the sheer scale and scope of Cloud operations.
What’s so great about the Cloud? It’s incredibly cost-efficient.
The Cloud evolved as a direct result of the need for IT cost efficiency values. In the late 90s, the tides of new apps, software, hardware, and operational functions became excessive for onsite operations. IT was buried in detail, micromanagement, and inevitably, cost.
The solution, much to everyone’s great relief, was the Cloud. The Cloud is effectively a plug-and-play do-everything option accessible from anywhere on Earth. Your business system plugs in and the rest is done by the Cloud. The Cloud is automatically updated, upgraded, and maintained. The in-house demands on IT are minimised.
The upshot of this situation is:
- Your IT guys can focus on your business, not “finding the meaning of life” in endless upgrades, strange tech trees, and plagues of operational nuisances.
- Management doesn’t have unavoidable second jobs dealing with the in-house issues of business operations. Time and space are freed up drastically when moving to the Cloud.
- Acquisition needs for businesses are generally much improved by the Cloud. You simply don’t need all that onsite infrastructure and equipment – Or the related maintenance and cost baggage that goes with it.
- Agility – With Cloud services, you can test new business apps, manage change, access services as required, and maneuver effectively in any IT environment as required.
These points alone have been enough to start a stampede to Cloud services for most businesses.
Public Clouds, Private Clouds Hybrid Clouds, and Multicloud
The distinction between public Cloud services and private Cloud services is simple but must be mentioned:
Public Clouds
The public Clouds are operated by a vendor using public internet services. These services include 24/7 services. You pay only for what you use, and the services are fully scalable. Examples of public Clouds include Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, etc.
Private Clouds
Private clouds are one-organization Cloud operations. These can be “custom Clouds”, like financial Cloud operations, specialised for a particular industry or government needs. Private Cloud services are also used by organisations with sensitive data. Data centres may be onsite or remote.
Hybrid Clouds
Hybrid Cloud services are a mix of both public and private Clouds. The effect of this approach is that specialist operations are interfaced with the broader public services spectrum. It may or may not require onsite infrastructure.
Multicloud
Multicloud is a mix of multiple Cloud services in one environment. It’s a natural development based on the other Cloud operations, interfacing with a bandwidth of Cloud service needs.
Migrating to the Cloud
Moving to the Cloud is a good move for any business. It greatly simplifies IT and operational needs.
That said:
- You need to plan your move to the Cloud. This is very much a business-plan-impact situation, and you can do it exactly the way you’d do a business plan.
- You need to cost your move. The good news about that is that costing can be done very accurately and reliably. The metrics are straightforward, and easy to get for any scale of move to the Cloud.
- You do need help to map out your new Cloud business configuration, service options, etc. All businesses have their own specific needs. You can be very thorough about this and precision-manage the move to the Cloud.
- Technical guidance is definitely required. Your move should be fully transparent technically, with no “techno-mysticism” attached. Get good consultants who know the market, and you’ll have no trouble at all with your move to the Cloud.
- All aspects of your Cloud services, support, and any cost or legal obligations on your business must be 100% visible. Some very good news here – Your Cloud services are definitely not going to be yet another service provider contractual guessing game. To use the appropriate Australian expression – Cloud services are expected to be “ratbag-free”. All terms must be detailed to top quality professional standards, no exceptions.
Need some guidance with your Cloud move?
MaxIT is an all-round multifaceted provider of IT services to businesses, including Cloud services, security, and much more. We help all types of businesses, from top-end corporations to new businesses with visions and dreams. We can definitely help you with all aspects of your Cloud migration, from baseline business needs and IT to full-spectrum planning.
Give us a call or contact us online, and we’ll do it all for you, from the fundamental move needs to the more technical issues and custom requirements. Just ask our team for any support or guidance you need, and we’ll be happy to help and assist.
