From Cloud Adoption to Service Optimization … · Choosing a cloud provider for any application...
Transcript of From Cloud Adoption to Service Optimization … · Choosing a cloud provider for any application...
From Cloud Adoption toService OptimizationGetting the Most from a Cloud Partner for Business Efficiencyand InnovationA complementary guide from global cloud provider Leaseweb
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ContentsIntroduction .............................................................................................. 5
The cloud optimization journey ............................................................ 7
Work towards hybrid cloud flexibility .................................................. 8
Stand firm with security controls ....................................................... 10
Have a business outcome focus ......................................................... 12
Leverage managed cloud: From system to portal access ............. 14
Review the total cost of cloud and data ............................................ 16
Take advantage of engineering-level support ................................. 17
Go global with reach and data control .............................................. 18
Be standards-based and avoid lock-in .............................................. 19
Plan for performance and scalability ................................................ 20
A platform for innovation and developer support ........................... 21
Conclusion ............................................................................................... 23
About Leaseweb .................................................................................... 24
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IntroductionCloud adoption and use is poised for a significant change. For the past
decade organizations have adopted cloud for a spectrum of applica-
tions; however, simply adopting a cloud service does not necessarily
equate to an increase in business efficiency.
Additionally, cloud services are often procured for rapid migrations and fast deployment
of new applications. This approach can lead to unnecessary complexity and lax gover-
nance, including security controls.
With the cloud services market set to reach $US236 billion in 2020, the appetite for
cloud is still growing strongly. The future of cloud competitive advantage will lie in how
it is applied to each business application and most organizations are now well placed
for a more detailed review of the value cloud services deliver.
This report, From Cloud Adoption to Service Optimization: Getting the most from a
cloud partner for business efficiency and innovation, is intended to help IT and busi-
ness leaders look beyond cloud uptake to uncover opportunities for cost savings and
more business value.
The guide identifies 10 significant factors often overlooked when deciding on a cloud
solution. These factors present a lot of scope for optimization.
Business leaders can use this guide as part of their decision making process and busi-
ness cases for better use of cloud.
A new era of business efficiency and innovation awaits organizations which take the
next steps on their cloud journey. When cloud is seen as an enabler, not simply an op-
tion, the business benefits will flow through each department.
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The cloudoptimization journey
Choosing a cloud provider for any application involves deciding on
a number of requirements and aligning those with what the provider
offers.
Many companies have adopted cloud services for a variety of applications without con-
sidering how optimal the service is for the workload. This hurried decision making is
forcing a rethink of how beneficial cloud is for the application.
Optimizing cloud is a journey that often involves using a combination of services to form
a hybrid architecture. Companies now have the option of procuring multiple services to
satisfy a workload or business requirement, thus delivering a new level of agility and
innovation. The following selection factors are designed to help business and IT leaders
make an informed choice when reviewing existing cloud services or when considering
cloud to complement, or replace, any on-premises infrastructure.
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Work towards hybrid cloud flexibilityThere is a lot of discussion about hybrid cloud, but what does it mean for most companies?
Enterprises stand to gain a lot from a hybrid cloud capability, as it enables a new era in
flexibility for development, testing and deployment of software applications.
On-premises Serviceprovider Hosted
VirtualPrivate Cloud
Dedicated Hybrid Cloud
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Many companies start their cloud journey by hosting
an application on virtual servers. However, as demand
grows they discover challenges with scaling the appli-
cation to cater for thousands, or millions, of end-users.
Moving to dedicated servers can be more efficient and
cost effective. There are also high memory, storage and
input-output (I/O) benefits that come with dedicated
servers.
Working towards a unified management interface
across different types of cloud infrastructure is an
essential strategic advantage for keeping control of a
hybrid cloud. Unified infrastructure management will
also help operations staff be more efficient responding
to business demands.
Look for a flexible cloud platform that allows you to
choose any variety of cloud technologies, including ful-
ly private servers in the resource pool. This will allow
you to deploy most workloads without compromising
performance or flexibility. For example, you can per-
form test and development activities on virtual servers,
but investigate deployment of the application on dedi-
cated servers.
Real hybrid cloud involves connecting on-premises,
dedicated and virtual server and storage infrastruc-
ture. Hybrid also allows you to take advantage of off-
loading workloads to a cloud during peak periods.
It is imperative to work with a cloud provider to get the
right mix of services to deliver workloads in the most
efficient and optimal way.
Optimizinghybrid cloud
• Hybrid allows you to deploy
most workloads without
compromising performance or
flexibility
• Work towards developing a
unified management interface
• Look for the right mix of
cloud technologies, from
virtual to physical
infrastructure
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Are some cloud service types more secure than others?
This depends on a combination of the options available
to you as a customer and the level of investments made
by the provider.
Review the multitude of factors which combine to make
a cloud provider secure. These include recognized ISO
certifications, support for isolation and encryption tech-
nologies, and a comprehensive governance framework
across different geographies. Moreover, look for a solid
history in managing security on an enterprise scale.
A cloud which allows strict control over access to the
dedicated server or virtual private cloud infrastructure
is ideal for larger companies, which are accustomed
to that level of security in their own facilities. Matching
your security certifications with those of the provider
gives executive teams more confidence to add cloud
options to the company’s service delivery portfolio.
Secure data centers, industry certification and dealing
with independent legal entities in the country you are
operating, all add to the surety of working with a cloud
provider which takes security seriously.
Many companies also have requirements for where the
data is located and what system-level access they have
to it. If data ever needed to be migrated from one lo-
cation to another, it is important to choose a provider
which helps facilitate that, not make it more difficult
than it should be.
Stand firm withsecurity controlsSecurity is top of mind when selecting a cloud provider, and for most organizations, keeping customer data secure and private is abusiness imperative.
“Instead of trying to build every
security service in-house, increase
efficiency by leveraging a cloud
provider.”
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Optimizingcloud security
• Cloud provider security
depends on the company’s
certifications and on-going
investments
• Match your security
requirements to those of
the provider. This will help
optimize deployments
• Determine if customer data
needs to be protected
under local law
• Look for managed security
services and add-ons to
optimize your operations
Penetration Testing
ISOCertification
Managedsecurityservices
CloudSecurity
Infrastrucutre Containment
LocalGovernance
Ongoinginvestments
Other important factors for consideration when choosing a cloud
partner is the frequency in which it invests in modern security infra-
structure and services. Instead of trying to build every security service
in-house, increase efficiency by leveraging a cloud provider. Take a lay-
ered security approach by investing in the application security that you
control and subscribing to internet-level security services which tend
to be managed by the provider.
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In the early days of cloud, workloads were migrated
to one type of cloud technology and the business out-
comes were closely tied to cost reduction and speed to
market. Today, with a variety of cloud technology avail-
able to businesses, it is important to speak with a per-
son who can offer architectural and engineering advice
from the pre-sales engagement.
Business outcomes call for the right mix of technology
for the right application. A disaster recovery business
case might be very different from a new product de-
velopment business case and there are cloud options
for both.
Unlike a big system integrator or consulting firm en-
gagement, cloud providers can offer outcome-focused
advisory for their customers with minimal overhead to
design the most optimal solution.
Customers have options for asking their cloud provid-
er to help find the right platform to solve a business
problem. Cloud provider value-added services can help
align IT to business goals, and advise on how to best ap-
proach cloud to deliver a business outcome without the
need for a third-party services company engagement.
Moving towards a partnership approach will uncover
better architecture and infrastructure decisions that
drive business outcomes.
Another step on the path to cloud optimization is to have
a discussion with your provider about getting a close
match between your commercial arrangements and
those of the provider’s.
Simple things like knowing how much you are spend-
ing, billing cycles, contract terms and periods, SLAs and
exit clauses can become quite complex in the cloud. The
more information you can share about your business
processes with the cloud provider the better the out-
comes will be.
Have a businessoutcome focusFor most companies, the adoption of cloud services involves signifi-cant technical changes which will ultimately impact the business. For cloud to be used optimally, the line-of-business and technical teams must collaborate on business outcomes from the start.
CHALLENGEIdentify the problem or
challenge holding back the
organization.
ALIGNEngage with providers who can
help align the right cloud archi-
tecture for the business
challenge.
IMPROVETake advantage of hybrid
cloud flexiblity to overcome the
business challenge and mitigate
future problems.
Optimizingbusiness outcomes
• Get the business and tech-
nical teams collaborating
on outcomes from the start
• Cloud providers can help
align IT to business goals,
and advise on how to best
approach cloud to deliver a
business outcome without
the need for a services
company engagement
• Move to a partnership
approach with your cloud
provider to get a close
match between your com-
mercial arrangements and
those of the provider’s
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Work with your provider to streamline and optimize
the commercial engagement as much as possible. Re-
member, you want to focus on the business outcomes of
cloud technology and not get too tied down with supplier
administration.
“Moving towards a partnership
approach will uncover better
architecture and infrastructure
decisions that drive business
outcomes.”
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In recent years cloud providers have started
offering “managed cloud” services as part of
their portfolio. But what does this mean for
customers?
Like on-premises servers and storage equipment, cloud
infrastructure requires continuous oversight to perform
optimally and mitigate security threats. And the levels
of management available in the cloud vary greatly.
A pure cloud service can be unmanaged and the cus-
tomer handles all software configuration and updates.
A managed cloud, however, leverages expertise and
pro-active support from the provider to get the most out
of the service. In the middle is a range of different sup-
port options – from one-off task assistance to ongoing
service monitoring.
Managed cloud can be at every layer in the technology
stack, from data center, server and network manage-
ment, to the virtualization and orchestration layers, all
the way up to the actual infrastructure, including moni-
toring dashboards and data backups.
Managed cloud is very relevant to larger companies
which are likely to be running many more servers and
containers than the average cloud customer. Instead
of hiring an army of cloud specialists, consider taking
advantage of a managed cloud offering for a range of
business outcomes.
Managed cloud services might be more expensive, but
they can bring many unexpected benefits – activities
which are done by the provider in a more efficient way
will free up staff to perform higher value tasks. And this
is great for business innovation.
Leverage managed cloud:From system to portalaccess
“By working with a company that keeps
tracks of where technology is going –
and how technology should be applied
– your organization will remain at the
forefront of cloud adoption.”
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Optimizingmanaged cloud
• Managed cloud services
cost more, but deliver many
efficiency benefits
• Know what level of man
agement you get from your
provider and whether ex-
isting support SLAs will
cover your application in
the event of a problem
• Managed cloud options are
available for a range of
business outcomes, includ-
ing API use and automation
Unmanaged• Console access
• Skills dependent
• Basic support
Supported• Task assistance
• Monitoring
• APIs
Managed• Console access
• Skills dependent
• Basic support
By working with a company that keeps tracks of where
technology is going – and how technology should be ap-
plied – your organization will remain at the forefront of
cloud adoption.
The properties of a managed cloud service can range
from assistance with low-level services like data logs
to using APIs for automation and data integration. The
more proactive you can be with cloud management, the
less exposed you are to problems with system updates
and security.
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Capex vs. OpexModel the cost of purchasing equipment versus ded-
icated cloud infrastructure, including Opex expensing
and tax advantages.
Data centersInclude the cost of running your own data centers
compared with cloud or co-location. Public data cen-
ters also have extensive interconnects with global
carrier networks and clouds.
Cloud technology costsEvaluate the costs of virtual servers and storage com-
pared with dedicated systems. A sub-optimal technol-
ogy choice can be expensive in the long-term.
Network and data transferTake a close look at fees for data transfer, including
those required for backups and data protection. Many
clouds charge for data transfers out, which can quick-
ly add up. Look for a cloud partner that does not have
any cost penalties between upload and download.
Ongoing managementBeyond the infrastrucutre costs is ongoing manage-
ment. Look for a cloud partner with the technology
and expertise to support your mission-critial opera-
tions. This can dramatically lower your cloud TCO.
Review the total cost of cloud and dataThe cloud quickly developed a reputation as being a low-cost alternative to in-house IT infra-
structure. For companies which depend more on IT for their core business, the cost of cloud
must be evaluated holistically. For example, wholesale adoption of a virtualized cloud can be
low-cost in the immediate term, but lead to unexpected future charges.
With a growing number of cloud options available, the
TCO of running the infrastructure requires ongoing
evaluation. Also, do not forget the opportunity cost of
cloud. If the right mix of cloud technology enables a
faster pace of development and innovation, organi-
zations can expand their product lines and increase
revenue opportunities more efficiently than what was
possible on premises.
TCO modelling must include how quickly the company
can change with its choice of infrastructure.
Optimizing cloud TCO
• Use cloud to reduce the dependence on private
data centers and similar facilities like server
rooms
• Avoid being cost penalized for basic requirements
like data transfers for backups, migrations and DR
• Ensure cost modelling includes how cloud can be
used to quickly bring new products to market and
drive innovation
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Take advantage ofengineering-level support
All organizations have a requirement for technical sup-
port, but engineering-level support goes beyond basic
triage and remediation services to helping improve
how infrastructure is used. In addition to diagnosing
and fixing problems, support engineers work with in-
house staff to optimize IaaS adoption and business re-
turn from the service.
Companies operating in different regions can also ben-
efit from having engineering-level support as close as
possible to their headquarters. This complements tra-
ditional 24 hours a day, seven days a week phone and
online support.
Another support option is with migration and on-board-
ing to the cloud. This could be from existing on-premis-
es equipment or a sub-optimal cloud architecture. Look
for a cloud provider which shares technical knowledge
and insight about the cloud adoption cycle, including
pre-sales, network and product engineering.
Cloud providers with the capability to handle complex
setup requirements, such as network configuration,
firewalling and load balancing generally have dedicat-
ed service managers who will oversee the on-boarding
process.
Optimizing cloud support
• Engineering-level support is an option that goes
well beyond basic troubleshooting
• Technical expertise with networks, server and
storage infrastructure will improve your uptime
and reliability
• Support from engineers can also help with pre-
sales, architectural and on-boarding requirements
The level and quality of support offered by different clouds ranges from self-help to fully
managed services. Companies can benefit from engineering-level support at the IaaS layer
which enables their software specialists to focus on developing and managing core applica-
tions.
Cloudtechnology
advice
Problemdiagnosis
Personal
Engineering-level support
Knowledgesharing
Migrationadvice
IaaSoptimization
Technical
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Optimizingglobal reach
• A global cloud helps your organization “go global”
without the infrastructure or management costs
• Content delivery networks (CDNs) can increase web
application responsiveness from different locations
• Data residency and protection is becoming increas-
ingly regulated. A global cloud helps manage the
changes
By their interconnected nature, cloud provid-
ers often have infrastructure in numerous lo-
cations around the globe. For customers used
to having complete control over their data,
moving to a global network can be daunting,
but there are many benefits.
To optimize the use of a global cloud network organiza-
tions need control over how the data for different appli-
cations is handled. For web content this might mean ex-
tending the data to where the customer is located, and
for financial information it might mean keeping the data
(and any backups) in one jurisdiction.
This is becoming more important with new European
Union directives coming into force in May 2018.
The GDPR laws will penalize any company found to be
liable for a breach of the private data of European cit-
izens. Knowing the value and location of the data you
keep is now a business imperative. Optimize your global
reach and data control with providers which allow you
to control the data residency of an application, including
any backups.
Going global is about being where your customers are,
and leveraging existing cloud infrastructure helps get
you there faster. Content delivery networks (CDNs) can
increase web application responsiveness from different
locations around the world and enhance web applica-
tion security.
Go global with reach and data control
Be closerto customer
locations
Datasovereignty compliance
Global cloud infrastructure
Controlbackup
locations
Access global CDN services
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Like security concerns, fear of being locked-in prevents many organizations from adopting
cloud services. Each of the three main “layers” of cloud (IaaS, PaaS and SaaS) can be devel-
oped and managed in unique ways so be sure to review the options for alternatives before
wholesale adoption of any service.
Generally, the higher up the cloud stack you go the less standards-based the service is. The ability to use a variety
of services and not be locked into any proprietary way of doing things is a desired option for IT and business lead-
ers. When it comes to choosing an IaaS cloud, look for standard systems and protocols which will not only keep you
free from lock-in but help you build a hybrid cloud platform.
Entering the cloud can be appealing and cost effective, but beware of any costs associated with
getting your data out of the cloud and into a comparable service or application.
Be standards-based and avoid lock-in
SaaS• Generally highest lock-in• Look for standards-based, portable data formats• Migration to alternatives likely to involve integration work
PaaS• Open languages and toolkits• Be aware of proprietary “stacks”• Look for standards-based deployment options
IaaS• Least amount of lock-in• Look for standards-based server and storage management• Avoid becoming too dependent on one type of infrastrucutre (VMs, Containers, etc.) to keep your options open
Optimizingcloud standards
• Cloud services can be quite
unique so be sure to review the
options before wholesale
adoption
• The higher up the cloud stack
you go, the less standards-based
the service tends to be
• Getting data into a cloud service
can be easy, but getting data out
is often difficult and expensive
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As most businesses depend on how well their applica-
tion performs, having access to high memory, compute
and I/O resources in the cloud is appealing. A combi-
nation of dedicated servers with virtual machines and
containers can provide high performance with elasticity
and flexibility.
Fewer physical machines can offer the same output as
many more virtual machines so make sure you are not
paying for cloud resources you are not using.
Consider clustering physical and virtual machines for
even greater scalability and the surety the application
can withstand high loads that will grow with demand.
Taking advantage of advanced networking features is
also a good way to optimize cloud performance and
scalability. Global points-of-presence (POPs) combined
with internet exchanges and carrier peering can signifi-
cantly reduce the latency of data being transferred from
your application to the customer.
Other options include load balancer technology to dis-
tribute high network traffic among two or more servers.
Plan for performance and scalability
Optimizingcloud performance
• When no longer in high demand, an elastic cloud
service can be scaled back to avoid unnecessary
expenditure
• Choose the right combination of physical and
virtual machines to suit the workload
• Advanced networking technology can also
optimize performance
HIGH
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Among the most compelling reasons to adopt cloud is the promise of high performance and
scalability. By using cloud, your application can service customers on a scale often not pos-
sible with on-premises equipment. And when the application is no longer in high demand, a
cloud service can be scaled back to avoid unnecessary expenditure.
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A platform forinnovation anddeveloper supportTo innovate in a digital economy, companies must support software developers and any-
thing that supports their role should be welcomed by business leaders. Essential to this is a
streamlined process for moving a new product or service from development to production.
Today’s clouds can provide a platform for innovation and new product development. Technologies like container
engines, PaaS platforms, DevOps tools, and low-cost development instances are quickly becoming the foundation
of a digital economy where innovation is happening at an increasing pace.
Such a platform for innovation is unheard of in many organizations and the cloud is opening new avenues for
developer productivity. With an optimal cloud architecture an innovation program can go through a cycle of devel-
opment and testing quickly, and the foundation will be established to go into production when ready.
Testing
Development
Innovation
Staging
Production
Optimizingdeveloper support
• Cloud optimization also involves using it for
innovation and new product or service
development
• Streamline the process for moving from
development to production by leveraging the
tools offered by the cloud provider
• Adopt container engines, PaaS platforms,
DevOps tools, and low-cost development instances
for a portfolio of on-demand innovation utilities
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ConclusionRapid cloud adoption can deliver a multitude of immediate business
benefits for your organization. However, like any IT service, cloud adop-
tion can lead to unnecessary cost, risk and complexity if it is not opti-
mized for the application or process.
With cloud adoption well beyond the hype and now a mainstream delivery model, it is
important for IT and business leaders to continuously assess and manage its perfor-
mance and value.
To optimize cloud use and service delivery outcomes, IT and business can take the fol-
lowing steps on the road to more efficiency and innovation:
1. Assess servicesStart by assessing what you are already using in the cloud and step through this
guide to determine how each service or application can be improved. In the case of
security, assess how risk can be reduced. Early cloud adoption programs focused on
large migrations of on-premises workloads to virtualized clouds. These programs
are now prime candidates for review and optimization by using either dedicated
servers or fewer virtual servers.
2. Align for hybridThere are many cloud technology options available and these all present opportuni-
ties for optimization and business improvement. Use of more than one type of cloud or
on-premises technology to form a hybrid architecture is becoming a standard archi-
tecture for most modern enterprises. Investigate how the different hosting options can
be combined to give the highest level of application performance and agility in a hybrid
cloud.
3. Operate and innovateFor most organizations the cloud is the best platform for innovation and new business
development. Many companies, however, still see cloud as an option for operational
change. Use cloud to drive forward existing innovation programs and to encourage all
business units to develop new ideas quickly and at low cost.
Cloud adoption and use is an ongoing journey towards more business agility and inno-
vation. Through continuous feedback and optimization, your organization will be able to
easily take advantage of new cloud technology as it arrives.
About LeasewebLeaseweb is a global Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider
– offering customers on-demand, world-class hosting solutions to
boost their business, cut IT costs and help them reach new goals.
Committed to excellenceSince 1997, we’ve been supporting businesses across the industry
spectrum, including some of the largest, most respected enterpris-
es in the world. Through our continued focus on R&D and adoption
of the latest technologies, we are able to deliver the best service at
a great price.
That’s the commitment we made when we started.
And it’s driven our success ever since.