We have all heard about cloud systems like Dropbox or iCloud but, as a service model, cloud computing (or the cloud) allows you to have access to and use resources over the internet. It works by letting your computer access data and applications over the internet from physical servers and computers in another place. In this article, you will learn about the five steps to cloud adoption in your company.
Plan ahead
Before plunging into the cloud, you will need to come up with a customized cloud strategy. Any planning will start by looking at the current IT systems in your company. After that, you can identify applications or systems that you want to move onto the cloud.
Broadly speaking, there are two distinct areas of IT: enterprise resource planning (ERP) and end-user. ERP solutions such as SAP, are critical IT systems because they have a direct impact on your day-to-day business transactions. On the other hand, familiar end-user applications are office productivity tools and e-mail, like Excel or Outlook. Your cloud implementation plan should ideally start with end-user applications before gradually moving on to ERP.
Teach your team
Moving to the cloud is a significant change for any business, hence why it is equally important to get your team ready for this transition. The first step is to educate your team about the cloud. Instead of sending everyone a one size fits all training course, a better approach is to design a custom-made curriculum for every job role in your company. Large cloud providers usually have training tracks that cater to specific roles like developers, operations, finance, and others.
Nevertheless, it is also important not to overlook training that is not vendor specific. Other generic trainings that would benefit your team include analytics, machine learning, and the internet of things (IoT).
Change the workflow
After going through the training phase, your team needs the chance to apply their new skills to some real work problems. That is the only way to reinforce their knowledge and let them tackle actual business problems.
This is the part of the transition that might create the most resistance from your team. They will be expected to continue with their current work and start adopting new workflows for the cloud. Some employees may be anxious over their job security, while others may feel overwhelmed by the changes. Well trained management is crucial at this stage to avoid the cloud disrupting your business operations and alienating your team.
Use monitoring tools
As you move your workflows gradually to the cloud, you can monitor the efficiency of your cloud migration. By using monitoring tools, your team can identify bottlenecks and avoid repeating the same mistake for future migration. Any disruption during the migration process can be flagged and its impact on the business processes and end-users analyzed.
As you migrate to the cloud, you can also test the scalability of each component. If the performance of your network is found wanting, you can increase the capacity of existing virtual machines or add new ones.
Invest in security
You will still need to invest in security even though the cloud vendors are responsible for storage and security. If your business manages sensitive data and a large traffic load, you should consider additional security measures.
As an example, many online casino operators like Platincasino UK use the latest SSL technology to secure their customer’s data and payment details. Furthermore, your company can build a secure infrastructure by having firewalls for server protection, security scanners to detect suspicious behavior and virtual private networks (VPNs).
Conclusion
By having a good cloud strategy, you will start your cloud migration on a strong footing. With proper training for your staff and a timeline for a gradual migration, you will have a successful transition to the cloud.