intelligent

Phase 2 : Requirements and architecture design

The next step is to define technical requirements that the cloud provider needs to fulfil . The key here is to map these technical requirements back to the business goals .

The benefits of this kind of multi-cloud strategy include better IT infrastructure efficiency , greater flexibility to meet challenging requirements , improved time-to-market and enhanced performance . To meet their shortand long-term goals , each business must find the right combination for their structure .

Below is a guide for SMEs to assess , design and deploy their multi-cloud journeys .

Phase 1 : Goals and assessment

The first step is to set clear goals for moving to multi-cloud . Reducing IT cost is a key driver , but you may also want to improve compliance and increase competitiveness . At this early stage it ’ s important to engage with all your key stakeholders to ensure you ’ re all on the same page . Once you ’ ve defined your goals , you ’ ll need to do a deep dive on your applications through the lens of your new multi-cloud goals and decide what action needs to be taken .

For example , for an Infrastructure-as-a-Service deployment , some of the requirements you set out could be ‘ Automation and API access ’, which would map back to a business goal of increasing competitiveness . When these are defined , move on to the architecture design phase . With a multi-cloud by design architecture , IT teams can run individual workloads that increase application efficiency and reduce costs .

Phase 3 : Getting people on board

With your requirements and architecture in place , you need to prepare the business for change – no mean feat ! It may feel disruptive , but it ’ s an opportunity to create an agile IT organisation . The journey towards a multicloud environment requires new skills , creating new roles and career development opportunities for your staff .

Finally , once everything is in place you can create your roadmap and execute your journey to multi-cloud .

So , what ’ s the catch ?

Every SME ’ s multi-cloud journey will be different . You may spend more or less time in each phase , and the roadblocks along the way may take time to unpick . However , if you want to stay agile and continue to provide customers with the best experience , a multicloud by design approach will keep your organisation ahead of the game .

THE FIRST STEP IS TO SET CLEAR GOALS FOR MOVING TO MULTI-CLOUD .