Author: Matt Davies

Senior Consultant at cloudstep.io

Single Cloud or Multi-Cloud: The Ultimate Debate

Posted on by Matt Davies

Today, we’re going to talk about a hotly debated topic in the tech industry – whether to pick a single cloud provider or go for a multi-cloud strategy. As someone who’s been in the industry for a while, I’ve seen companies go back and forth on this topic, and I think it’s time to weigh in with some of my observations.

Let’s start with the basics. A single cloud provider means that your company uses one cloud provider to host its applications, services, and data. On the other hand, a multi-cloud strategy means that you use multiple cloud providers for the same purpose. Sounds simple, right? Well, not exactly.

While the idea of using multiple cloud providers might seem like a good way to hedge your bets, the reality is that it can quickly become a headache for your organisation. One of the biggest challenges is the overhead that comes with establishing a presence in more than one cloud provider. Each provider has its own set of tools, services, and pricing models, which means that you need to invest time, money, and resources in learning and maintaining all of them. Not to mention the added complexity of managing data across multiple clouds, which can result in increased latency, security risks, and compliance issues.

For smaller organisations, a keep-it-simple approach might be best. According to a recent survey by LogicMonitor, 87% of SMBs are using a single cloud provider, and only 13% are using a multi-cloud strategy. This is because smaller companies typically have limited resources and cannot afford to spread themselves too thin. By using a single cloud provider, they can focus on their core business and avoid the added complexity of managing multiple cloud environments.

But what about larger organisations with more resources? Surely, they can handle a multi-cloud strategy, right? Well, not so fast. A recent report by Flexera found that 93% of enterprises have a multi-cloud strategy, but only 16% of them have the expertise to manage it. This means that most organisations are struggling to keep up with the demands of a multi-cloud environment, which can lead to increased costs, downtime, and security risks.

So, what’s the solution? While it’s tempting to go for a multi-cloud strategy to take advantage of the best features of each provider, the reality is that it’s not always worth the overhead. Instead, companies should focus on finding the right cloud provider that meets their specific needs and invest in developing the skills to manage it effectively.

At cloudstep.io we created a simple three step ‘Business Case in a Box’ process that leverages our unique tooling to help organisations big or small answer these questions. Starting with a rapid assessment to provide lightweight, express validation of cloud intention through exploration and validation of different migration scenarios. The output of this assessment identifies any organisational knowledge gaps followed by focused analysis to prepare the organisation for a successful migration.

The decision to pick a single cloud provider or a multi-cloud strategy should not be taken lightly. While multi-cloud might seem like a good idea in theory, the overhead and skills requirements can quickly become overwhelming for most organisations. Like many things in life its not a simple case of one size fits all. Investing time upfront in validation of your requirements, assessment of candidate cloud providers and planning your migration could spare you a lot of sleepless nights. Thanks for reading!

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Cloud Migration: Why Your Business Needs a Robust Business Case

Posted on by Matt Davies

Today I want to talk to you about an important topic that can make or break a company’s success in the digital age: migrating infrastructure to the public cloud. As the world becomes increasingly digital, businesses must adapt to survive. And one of the most significant changes a company can make is moving their infrastructure to the public cloud.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But, why should I move my data to the cloud? Isn’t it just another buzzword that’ll fade away in a few years?” I’m here to tell you that not only is the cloud here to stay, but it can also be a game-changer for your business. In this article, I’ll explain why establishing a business case for cloud migration is crucial, how to choose the right cloud provider, and why cost shouldn’t be the only factor to consider.

First things first, let’s talk about why you should even bother migrating to the cloud. The answer is simple: scalability and flexibility. The cloud offers a level of agility that on-premise solutions simply can’t match. With the cloud, you can scale your resources up or down as needed, pay only for what you use, and access your data from anywhere in the world. This level of flexibility can be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to respond quickly to changing market conditions, improve operational efficiency, and reduce costs.

Now that we’ve established why the cloud is important, let’s talk about choosing the right cloud provider. There are plenty of cloud providers out there, from big names like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud to smaller private cloud players. But how do you decide which one is right for you? There are many factors to consider when choosing a provider, including cost, security, reliability, supportability, and ease of use. However, I want to stress that cost should not be the only factor you consider. While it’s important to stay within your budget, choosing the cheapest provider could end up costing you more in the long run if the provider doesn’t meet your needs. Instead, focus on finding a provider that can offer the right mix of features, support, and security that your business requires.

Of course, simply choosing a cloud provider isn’t enough. You need to validate your choice to ensure that it truly aligns with your business case. So, what exactly does a business case entail? Essentially, it’s a comprehensive analysis of your current infrastructure, your business needs, and your goals for the future. It involves exploration of different migration scenarios, identification and comparison of costs to identify the validity and viability of one choice vs another. This will help you identify the areas of your IT landscape that could benefit the most from a cloud migration and determine which cloud provider can best meet your needs.

A robust business case is essential to secure the buy-in of key stakeholders in the organisation. This includes executives, investors, and board members. The business case should outline the ongoing financial operational benefits of migrating to the public cloud, in addition to the softer benefits such as improved scalability, and increased agility. By presenting a solid business case, you can effectively communicate the value proposition of the migration and gain the support of those who hold the purse strings.

At cloudstep.io we created a simple three step ‘Business Case in a Box’ process that leverages our unique tooling to explore different migration scenarios and build a business case. Starting with a rapid assessment to provide lightweight, express validation of cloud intention. Our tooling allows you to develop a A board-ready business case, comprised of the capital and operational costs that are important and specific to your organisation. Once you’ve identified the optimum business case, the output of this assessment identifies any organisational knowledge gaps followed by focused analysis to prepare the organisation for a successful migration.

Establishing a business case for your cloud migration and choosing the right provider are crucial to the success of your cloud journey. Don’t rush into any decisions without first conducting thorough analysis. Remember, cost is just one piece of the puzzle. Keep your business goals and needs in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful cloud migration.

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The Cloud Migration Pitfalls You Need to Know: Why Understanding Your Applications is Critical

Posted on by Matt Davies

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Public cloud migration for a while has been the the buzzword on everyone’s lips. Often described as a no brainer for organisations where their core business is not managing IT systems. Sure, there are plenty of good reasons to take your organisation’s applications to the cloud: lower costs, better scalability, and increased flexibility. But here’s the thing – it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, and there are definitely some pitfalls you need to be aware of.

One of the most critical factors to consider when migrating applications to the cloud is having a solid understanding of those applications, their relationships with one another, and the infrastructure that underpins them. This is essential if you want to avoid a disruptive migration that could have significant impacts on your organisation’s operational performance.

According to a recent study conducted by Harvard Business Review, a poor understanding of applications and infrastructure is one of the leading causes of disruption during a cloud migration. The study found that only 38% of IT leaders had a clear understanding of their organisation’s applications, while only 26% understood the relationships between applications and infrastructure. These statistics are worrying, especially when you consider that a failed cloud migration can have real and lasting consequences.

For instance, a poorly planned migration can result in application downtime, data loss, and security breaches, all of which can lead to significant financial losses and damage to your organisation’s reputation. These consequences can be particularly devastating for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may not have the resources to recover quickly from such disruptions.

So, what can you do to avoid these pitfalls? Well, first and foremost, you need to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of your organisation’s applications and infrastructure. Sounds easy right? This means conducting a comprehensive inventory of your applications, documenting their dependencies and relationships, and mapping out your infrastructure architecture. Where do you start? How do you know where to focus your attention? How do you make this a cost effective exercise?

At cloudstep.io we created a simple three step ‘Business Case in a Box’ process that leverages our unique tooling to answer these questions. Starting with a rapid assessment to provide lightweight, express validation of cloud intention. The output of this assessment identifies any organisational knowledge gaps followed by focused analysis to prepare the organisation for a successful migration.

As is with anything that is outside the scope of your core business, It’s wise to also consider working with a trusted cloud service advisor that can provide your organisation with expert guidance and support throughout the migration process. This will help ensure that your migration is seamless and that your applications and data are migrated securely and efficiently.

As a wrap, migrating your organisation’s applications to the public cloud can be a fantastic way to save costs and increase flexibility. However, it’s essential to recognise that this process comes with its own set of challenges and pitfalls. To avoid disruption of your business, it’s critical to have a solid understanding of your applications and infrastructure, as well as to work with a trusted cloud service advisor. With careful planning and execution, you can ensure a successful migration and reap the benefits of the cloud without putting your organisation’s operational performance at risk.

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Oils ain’t Oils and Neither are Calculators.

Posted on by Matt Davies

Some of you may remember the Castrol oil commercials on Australian television throughout the late 1980’s where they claimed than not all oils are created equally.  – If not indulge yourself in 43 seconds of nostalgic cinematic genius.

1988 CASTROL GTX2 Oils Ain’t Oils

Such is true with cloud pricing calculators. Whilst these are invaluable tools for putting together an order of magnitude estimate on a bill of materials, they do little to attract, engage and delight customers.

One of the main differences between a pricing estimate output from regular vendor calculators and a cloudstep model is that with a cloudstep model, all focus is placed on the consumer’s business and the cloudstep consulting partners’ unique relationship with them.

Why is cloudstep more than just a calculator?

  • Cloudstep models are multidimensional and provide a mechanism to accurately account for all the costs that represent the true total cost of ownership.
  • More than a spreadsheet – build 5 year forward projections for business as usual vs migration scenarios.
  • Cloudstep models on-premisses, IaaS, SaaS and PaaS solutions.
  • Model, manage and track phased migrations which involve multiple waves or batches of application migrations.
  • Measure actual vs projected expenditure, ingest Azure bills to identify and manage variances.

A pathway to mutually beneficial consulting engagements.

Cloudstep was built from the ground up by cloud consultants, that understand the need for consulting firms to build strong strategic relationships with their customers.

Cloudstep models unlock opportunity within businesses by building trust and credibility, thus leading to significant momentum gained with consumers. Cloudstep  is about adding value at every stage in your customer’s journey with you,  from the initial awareness or interest in alternate IT arrangements all the way through post-migration and ongoing measurement of IT operational expenditure.

Granularity and Complexity

Whilst it is true that high degrees of granularity often result in complexity, cloudstep has tooling to get started in as little as 10 minutes, designed to help consulting firms quickly engage with their customers business and begin to foster stronger relationships.

Cloudstep provides a means to have more meaningful conversations with prospects, creating genuine relationships with them. Quickly share relevant content that can be refined and built upon as you get to know your consumers’ unique needs.

Plan, Transition, Manage

Continue to engage with consumers, even long after their journey to the cloud.

Successful IT leaders understand If you don’t measure success in terms of what’s truly important to your organisation, you can’t work towards getting there.

Cloudstep makes it easy to measure actual vs projected expenditure, providing a means for your consulting team to continue to engage and offer strategic advice and services.

Cloudstep creates happy customers who turn into brand ambassadors and send more customers your way.

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cloudstep – The value proposition for consulting firms.

Posted on by Matt Davies

Cloudstep is a tool for consulting firms, built by a consulting firm. It makes it easy to capture existing capital and operational IT expenditure for an organisation and make accurate comparisons against alternate IT delivery options.

We built cloudstep to make it easy to sell consulting engagements for professional services focused around cloud migrations.

Build 5 year forward projections for business as usual vs cloud migration scenarios based on evidence and hard costs, not speculation.

We understand the need for consulting firms to build strong strategic relationships with their customers.

Position your consulting firm as a trusted advisor with outputs that are easy to share, confidence inspiring and make it easy for CFOs and CIOs to stand behind.

Cloudstep models unlock opportunity within businesses by building trust and credibility. Cloudstep is about adding value at every stage in your customer’s journey with you, from the initial awareness or interest in alternate IT arrangements all the way through post-migration and ongoing measurement of IT operational expenditure.

Cloudstep creates happy customers who turn into brand ambassadors and send more customers your way.

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