CloudTechVibe

In the era of digital transformation, the rise of cloud technologies has reshaped the landscape of both private and public sectors. As businesses and organizations embrace these innovative technologies, the demand for cloud-enablement organizations becomes increasingly critical. This article provides an overview of some high-level functions (not a prioritized list) that public cloud enablement organizations may perform.

Cloud Governance:

Cloud governance is a crucial function performed by these organizations. They establish a structured framework for controlling cloud computing services and ensuring they align with the organization’s overall business strategy. This covers areas like cost management, risk management, resource optimization, and policy enforcement. A sound cloud governance model can result in improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced security.

Cloud Migration:

The fundamental function of a public cloud enablement organization is to assist businesses in transitioning their IT infrastructure from a premises environment to a public cloud platform. This migration process may involve moving data, applications, or other business elements to the cloud. The migration strategy is determined based on several factors such as business objectives, the type and quantity of data to be moved, application requirements, security considerations, and more.

Cloud Architecture Design:

Cloud Enablement organizations also provide guidance on cloud architectures that meet the specific needs of their clients. This involves defining a suitable cloud model (Infrastructure as a Service — IaaS, Platform as a Service — PaaS, or Software as a Service — SaaS), identifying the right cloud service provider, designing network and storage architectures, and ensuring the setup meets all the performance, security, and compliance requirements.

Cloud Optimization:

Public cloud enablement organizations not only facilitate migration and the deployed cloud resources. They provide expertise in areas such as cost control, performance optimization, process automation, and maximizing resource utilization. This helps the client organization minimize waste and make the most efficient use of its cloud services.

Security and Compliance:

Cloud security and regulatory compliance are major areas of focus for any organization moving to the cloud. Public cloud enablement organizations work to ensure that the client’s cloud setup meets the required security standards and complies with relevant regulations. This includes implementing security protocols, performing regular audits, and managing compliance documentation.

Training and Education:

One of the critical functions is to train the client’s IT staff to manage the new cloud environment effectively. This involves educating them about the platform, the technology, and the tools involved. Post-training, enablement organizations continue to provide ongoing educational support to ensure smooth operations.

Innovation and Transformation:

Cloud enablement organizations act as innovation partners by identifying areas where the cloud can enable new business models or improve existing processes. They assist organizations in their digital transformation journey, leveraging the power of the cloud to innovate and stay competitive in their respective markets.

Managed Cloud Services:

In many cases, public cloud enablement organizations offer managed cloud services. This function involves handling all the day-to-day operational aspects of maintaining a cloud infrastructure, including system monitoring, performance management, troubleshooting, updates, and more. This allows client organizations to focus on their core business without worrying about the intricacies of cloud management.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning:

Another vital function of public cloud enablement organizations is assisting businesses with disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity planning (BCP). By leveraging the cloud’s inherent redundancy and scalability, these organizations can design robust strategies to quickly recover from any type of operational disruption, ensuring business continuity. This includes the planning and implementation of backup procedures, setting up failover systems, and regular testing of the recovery process.

Cloud Analytics:

In the age of data, the ability to derive actionable insights from vast amounts of information can provide a significant competitive edge. Public cloud enablement organizations often provide cloud analytics services, helping businesses collect, process, and analyze their data in the cloud. These insights can lead to more informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Multi-cloud and Hybrid Cloud Management:

Many organizations choose to leverage multiple cloud providers or a mix of on-premises and cloud services (hybrid cloud) to meet their specific needs. In such scenarios, public cloud enablement organizations provide guidance and support in managing these complex environments. They help optimize resource distribution, harmonize operations across different platforms, and ensure consistent security and compliance measures.

DevOps and Agile Integration:

Public cloud enablement organizations also facilitate the integration of DevOps and Agile practices in the cloud environment. These practices promote collaboration between development and operations teams, resulting in faster and more efficient software delivery. The enablement organizations provide the necessary tools, methodologies, and guidance to successfully implement these practices in a cloud context.

Innovation Labs:

Many cloud enablement organizations operate ‘innovation labs’ where they explore the cutting-edge capabilities of cloud technology. This can include things like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics. They then bring these innovations to their clients, helping them stay at the forefront of technological advancement.

In summary, public cloud enablement organizations can perform a wide array of functions to help businesses embrace and thrive in the cloud. The list of functions above is some suggestions for what you may want to include in your own organization. You may want to start small and select a handful of these functions and then add new functions as your organization evolves. Cloud Enablement organizations provide the technical know-how and support to guide businesses toward an innovative future in the cloud. They play an indispensable role in facilitating and enhancing the adoption of cloud technologies. Their functions are broad and crucial, making them an essential part of any successful cloud strategy.