Cloud transition isn’t as simple as it looks; prepare and project well before moving ahead with the plan.
If you are already considering the idea of adopting cloud-based computing strategies for the business, I will advise you to look into the details— all over again – before your cloud transition. While most entrepreneurs have successfully implemented these ideas, some are still finding it hard to cope with the pressures of the IT departments. That said, migrating to the elusive cloud isn’t a walk-in-the-park and asks for a concrete approach— precisely creating a barrier across the organization.
According to the IT stalwarts and service providers, prepping up for cloud computing standards comes with several challenges which are actually pretty hard to mitigate. Most IT-based decision makers falter when it comes to making that perfect cloud transition from a physical setup. However, LOB managers have skillfully distanced themselves from the major pitfalls but not before enumerating them sequentially.
Let us take a closer look at the roadblocks which can defer the seamless cloud-based transition:
Lack of Infrastructure
Yes, I actually said infrastructure owing to detailed procedures involved in the process of transition. For adapting to a specific cloud, most IT firms need to have the right set of processes and tools. Newer initiatives need to be looked at affectionately and the strategies have to be perceived in a different yet humane manner.
Let us explain the same with an example.
An IT company which is short on funds will not be able to afford the necessary tools for growth unless an investment is procured. However, resource allocation suffers by the time investment reaches the concerned company. Moreover, instead of looking to migrate to the concerned cloud, companies use up the resources to grow. This creates a vacant loop which becomes exceedingly hard to break into— unless some funds are saved, in case of an emergency.
Most IT departments fall short of resources which can assist them with the cumbersome transition process. While Cloud Computing setups require multiple channels, IaaS service are often the most demanding when it comes to resources and funding.
Even if a setup is established, it gets hard to manage and maintain it in the long run. Moreover, when you are finding it hard to maintain nominal growth, being proactive is actually out of the equation.
Lack of Strategies
Most IT startups find it hard to coin the perfect strategy for keeping up with the transition. While the bigger firms have stalwarts assisting them, newer setups often fall short when it comes to acumen and expertise. According to a survey, most companies which are delaying the cloud transition put the blame on lack of adequate strategies.
The question isn’t about setting up the cloud but to make it functional and even resourceful to a particular extent. One example would be IBM’s cloud services which have now paired up with a drone for helping people with productivity jobs. However, smaller online streaming firms in Showbox haven’t been able to replicate YouTube as of now, owing to the lack of a predefined strategy but things are looking better now with these newer setups getting proper funds and even hiring experts for formulating potent strategies.
Skill Gaps
Most IT companies fail to address the newer cloud initiatives in the long run and the setup suffers even if it has been put up eventually. While training is an integral part of employee development, most startups fail to address this section and concentrate solely on using the funds for materialistic gains. As per reports, almost 53 percent of IT firms struggle with the cloud-based technologies. Therefore, it is important to train the workforce by making it adept with the intricacies of the Cloud.
Higher Costs
Cloud computing is everything but cheap as the likes of IaaS and SaaS can certainly set you back for a thousand of bucks. The exceeding cloud-centric budgets can be hard to maintain and almost 60 percent of present day IT firms find it hard to maintain them. Moreover, the step-pronged approach as mentioned previously, including the training fees, can be costlier than our expectations. Therefore, most organizations skip cloud-computing adoptions without determining the long-term benefits of the same.
Easier Transitions: Possibilities
Firstly, a cliché has to be learnt that ‘Innovation is the Brainchild of a Proactive Mind’. Most IT firms hardly have time for proactive thoughts which is actually detrimental to their prospective cloud-based plans.
Here are some of the essential ideas and getaways which can help outgrow the lingering constraints:
#1. Assess the Organizational Capabilities
It is important to address the product and budget based findings beforehand. Based on these, a strategy has to be formulated— keeping the funding and other necessities in check. This is best explained by the audit phases of most companies which now address the yearly revenues— keeping aside something for the cloud-based transitions.
#2. Proper Training is Imperative
It is extremely important to give precedence to employee training by making them understand the core competencies of cloud computing. Addressing these skill gaps will help improve your chances of surviving in the computing arena.
#3. Get Rid of Additional Resources
Some resources like additional manpower will only incur heavy costs without contributing towards the transition process. It is, therefore, important to get rid of added costs and redirect the same towards the cloud.
#4. Monitor Financial Data
More often than not, businesses tend to spend way too much on the cloud-based infrastructure— more so to prove a point. However, cloud computing without a long-term goal is useless and can be costly as well. Therefore, it is important for business owners to direct their IT departments in a proper way, so as to avoid those extra bucks being spent, uselessly.
Bottom Line
Augmenting business needs are actually vital when the modern era of computing and growth is considered. However, for businesses to grow and adopt a cloud-based pedestal, they must work in cohesion with their respective IT departments.
Even with things in place, the transition can be a tough nut to crack as the cloud is pretty fickle in nature. Moreover, it takes a lot of character to turn up for such a migration which can either make or break an organization.
Then again, migrating to the next level comes with a bag of surprises— unlocking diverse benefits and newer opportunities.
Image: Author’s Own
