Top 10 Lessons Learned: Analytics Transformation to the Cloud
According to the Cisco Global Cloud Index, 94 percent of compute instances and workloads will be processed in the cloud data centers by 2021. Enterprises are eager to take advantage of the scalability, flexibility, efficiency, etc. that the cloud has to offer. However, there are no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions in the cloud. The hybrid cloud seems a popular choice for enterprises that have already invested in on-premise infrastructure and business models and cannot simply discard their entire model and move to the cloud. It leverages the existing infrastructure investments and technologies and combines them with flexible and expandable cloud resources.
No matter which cloud you choose, transforming your analytics to the cloud can be tricky. LeapLogic, an Impetus product for automated workload transformation has helped several Fortune 100 banks successfully transform and secure their business on the cloud. While the needs and challenges of a cloud transformation vary across businesses, many of the lessons learned are applicable to your analytics transformation.
Below are the top ten lessons that we have learned, which I hope you find useful:
1. Assess before you begin
A proper blueprint is the foundation for success. Define the path from the current state to the future state. Validate your business case and assess the workloads that need to be migrated.
2. Enroll your stakeholders
Gain buy-in from all stakeholders across the enterprise as people’s challenges are often bigger than technology challenges. Let everyone understand, align, and contribute to the plan.
3. Evaluate your technology options
When considering your technology needs and options, weigh them against your current investments to ensure ROI. Leverage existing investments where it makes sense.
4. Reassess your processes
Utilizing new processes and technologies may create gaps in critical functions, including security and governance. Ensure you have a plan to mitigate these gaps.
5. Break the task
Break the transformation into smaller, logical, end-to-end executable workloads. Gain quick wins to build momentum and validate the approach.
6. Be agile
Adopt an agile development methodology to create defined, measurable success criteria at regular intervals.
7. Use accelerators
Utilize accelerators that bring automation for data migration, code conversion, and testing to reduce duration and cost while de-risking the project.
8. Upskill your people, processes
Use the transformation as an opportunity to install new processes, including DevOps, CI/CD, etc. Create a training plan for your employees on the required skillsets.
9. Have a decommissioning plan
Once you have migrated your analytics to the cloud, execute your decommissioning plan. This is often overlooked and delayed but is critical for the business case
10. Evangelize your success
Promote the success of the project: measure the success, sponsor follow-on projects, and share your overall transformation strategy.
At Impetus, we have decades of experience with large-scale transformations. We bring automation that can reduce the overall transformation cost by 50%, which saves you time and money. Our automated assessment can be the first step in your analytics journey to the cloud.
