Leadership

Hitting the Infrastructure Restart Button

If you could start over from scratch, what would you do differently?


Okay, in the real world no one actually gets to hit the restart button, but if you could, what would you do differently? As the Chief Technology Officer at Synergy IT Solutions, I think about that a lot. Especially because I am regularly talking with IT leaders who are challenged by the unwieldy physical infrastructure they have amassed over time. I can literally feel their sense of uncertainty about what it would take to transition all that infrastructure to the cloud. The fact is, I know what I would do if I were starting from scratch today. I would adopt vertical cloud solutions with thin clients for end users to ensure all my valuable data is self-contained, but how do you transition from an infrastructure that has evolved to include both on premise hardware and cloud-based solutions to a fully integrated cloud environment? 

I know it may sound oversimplified but taking stock of your current infrastructure is a great place to start.  Here are 5 questions you could ask yourself to get started, 

  1. What line of business applications are you running today, and what are they running on?
  2. What are your current security concerns and what compliance regulations are you subject to?
  3. How would you rate your level of resilience in the face of unexpected events?
  4. Can employees easily access the information they need, and what are their pain points.
  5. What does it take to provision and deploy new users and solutions companywide? 

These answers will help you understand what is working well, and what may be outdated or potentially hindering the overall performance of your system. It will also help you understand where you are on your journey to the cloud. As this article from CIO magazine emphasizes, moving from a complex infrastructure of legacy systems and cloud services to cloud native technologies is not necessarily an all-or nothing proposition. Instead, understanding your end goal can help you develop a cloud migration strategy to get there. 

Once you have developed your strategy and have a roadmap, it is time to ensure you have alignment within your team and more importantly, you gain executive buy-in. With that in mind, it is extremely important to align your strategy with the overall goals of your company. Equally as important is to demonstrate the Return on Investment (ROI) of technology and remember that ROI isn’t ONLY about bottom-line results. Also focus on things like attracting the best and brightest workers by implementing best in class solutions to embrace flexible work environments.  

Once you’ve gained that buy-in and have your roadmap in place, it is time for implementation. Unfortunately, this is where we most frequently see things fall apart. Even with the best laid plans, the priorities of today outweigh the strategies of tomorrow. With the current daily barrage of cybersecurity threats, increased tech support needs from a hybrid workforce, and the accelerated pace of technology evolution, finding the time to focus on implementing your plan can be a challenge.  

As an admitted tech geek and trusted IT advisor, I spend a lot of my time putting myself in the shoes of industry IT leaders. When I think about what it takes to juggle today’s priorities and tomorrow’s goals, I can’t help but feel your frustration. However, when I put my IT advisor hat on, I can’t help but wonder why leaders aren’t leveraging highly skilled outside resources to take some of the pressure off your over-burdened, under-resourced internal IT team.  

What are the benefits of adopting a vertical cloud solution with thin clients?

This approach ensures data security and simplifies management by centralizing data in the cloud while providing users with efficient access through thin clients.

How can I transition from a hybrid IT environment to the cloud?

A successful transition requires careful planning and execution. Here are key steps:

  • Assessment: Start by taking stock of your current infrastructure with the 5 key questions provided in the blog.
  • Strategy and Roadmap: Develop a cloud migration strategy based on your assessment and desired end-state.
  • Alignment and Buy-in: Secure buy-in from your team and executives by demonstrating the Return on Investment (ROI) of the cloud, considering both financial benefits and strategic advantages like attracting top talent.

Why do cloud migration plans often fail during implementation?

Common challenges during implementation include:

  • Competing Priorities: Daily IT demands can overshadow long-term strategic initiatives like cloud migration.
  • Resource Constraints: Limited internal resources can make it difficult to dedicate time and expertise to the migration process.
  • Cybersecurity Concerns: The ever-evolving threat landscape can add complexity and require additional resources.

How can I overcome these challenges and successfully migrate to the cloud?

Consider partnering with a trusted IT advisor like Synergy. We offer:

  • Expertise: Our team can assist with every stage of your cloud migration journey, from assessment and planning to implementation and ongoing support.
  • Resource Augmentation: We can provide additional skilled resources to bridge the gap in your internal IT team's capacity.
  • Security Solutions: We offer comprehensive security solutions to address your concerns and ensure a smooth and secure transition.

Who can benefit from Synergy's cloud migration services?

Any business looking to:

  • Improve operational efficiency and scalability.
  • Enhance data security and compliance.
  • Attract and retain top talent with modern technology solutions.
  • Reduce reliance on over-burdened internal IT teams.

By leveraging Synergy's expertise and resources, you can overcome the challenges of migrating to the cloud and unlock the full potential of cloud technology for your business.

Similar posts

Get notified about Synergy's posts.

Sign up to get up-to-date information technology insights from the experts at Synergy.