Cloud Transformation
Organizations turn to cloud transformation to strengthen IT infrastructure, improve agility and open the door to new ways of working. It is the full adoption of cloud technologies to reshape your IT ecosystem and match it to how the business operates today.
CDW Canada supports organizations across every stage of the cloud journey through professional services and workshops. To plan your application transformation, contact a CDW Canada cloud native expert.
What Is Cloud Transformation?
Cloud transformation moves your IT infrastructure and applications from on-premises systems to cloud environments. The work starts with identifying which applications create differentiated business value and which run commodity functions.
For commodity applications, the goal is easier management. That often means shifting them to Software as a Service (SaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS), which cut complexity and simplify day-to-day operations.
For applications that drive real business value, the focus moves to deployment. Hosting them in the right cloud environment helps you get more out of them and tie IT performance to business outcomes.
Adopting cloud native technologies and connecting cloud services to your operations are central to this shift. Done well, it modernizes the stack and aligns IT with the goals of the business, with better efficiency, security and scalability.
The Cloud Transformation Journey
The journey to the cloud is different for every organization, but most paths share the same stages.
1. Assessment
Review your current IT setup, identify applications that are good cloud candidates and gauge readiness for the change.
2. Planning
Build a roadmap with timelines, milestones and the people accountable for each phase of the transformation.
3. Migration
Move applications and data to the cloud through rehosting, replatforming or refactoring.
4. Identify Unmovable Solutions
Some workloads should stay where they are. They may not gain value in the public cloud or they connect to systems that are not moving.
5. Optimization
Tune cloud applications and infrastructure for performance, scalability and cost efficiency.
6. Management
Monitor, manage and refine the cloud environment so it keeps pace with the business.
The Benefits of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation uses digital technologies to change how your business runs at the core. The benefits show up across the organization.
What Is Cloud-Based Digital Transformation?
Cloud-based digital transformation uses cloud technologies to drive change inside the organization. That includes Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). These models replace on-premises systems and open up more flexibility, scale and room to innovate.
Developing a Cloud Transformation Strategy
A strong cloud transformation strategy starts with planning that maps to the business.
- Set clear business objectives and the outcomes the cloud should deliver
- Run a readiness assessment to document current IT, skills and gaps
- Choose cloud providers based on business needs, compliance and cost, not vendor preference
- Build a transformation roadmap with milestones, timelines and named owners
- Train and reskill the team so they can run the cloud environment with confidence
- Set governance frameworks for security, compliance and data protection from day one
Define Objectives
Establish the business outcomes your cloud transformation should deliver.
Assess Readiness
Document current infrastructure, applications and team skills before you start moving.
Select Cloud Providers
Choose providers based on business needs, compliance and cost.
Create a Roadmap
Sequence milestones, timelines and owners across the program.
Invest in Training
Reskill the team so they can run cloud workloads day to day.
Governance and Compliance
Apply guardrails for security, compliance and data protection from day one.
Cloud Transformation Challenges and Best Practices
- Challenges
- Best Practices
Challenges Associated with Cloud Transformation
Cloud transformation comes with real benefits, but the path to get there has friction.
Security and Compliance
Keeping data protected and meeting regulatory requirements as workloads move.
Cost Management
Controlling cloud spend so monthly bills do not outrun the business case.
Integration Complexity
Connecting cloud services to systems and applications that stay on-premises.
Change Management
Working through the cultural and process shifts that come with new operating models.
Skill Gaps
Closing the gap between what cloud platforms expect and what the IT team can do today.
Cloud Transformation Best Practices
A few habits separate cloud programs that pay off from the ones that stall.
Adopt a Cloud-First Approach
Default to cloud options when scoping new applications and services.
Implement Automation
Use automation to keep operations consistent and repeatable as the environment grows.
Emphasize Security
Build security into every layer of the cloud, not as a layer added at the end. Pair it with cybersecurity controls that match your risk profile.
Use Managed Services
Add managed services to extend the team and cover complex cloud operations.
Continuous Optimization
Review cloud services on a regular cadence to keep performance and cost in check.
Differences Between Cloud Transformation, Cloud Migration and Digital Transformation
These terms get used interchangeably, but each one has a different scope.
Cloud Transformation
A full-program approach that covers moving IT to the cloud and optimizing it for the business.
Cloud Migration
Moving applications, data and infrastructure from on-premises systems to the cloud.
Digital Transformation
Using digital technologies to change how the business operates at the process and model level.
1
STEP ONE
Workshops and Assessments
Our cloud native workshops walk teams through the technologies that matter most. The 6-R assessment gives you a clear view of every application and what to do with it.
2
STEP TWO
Holistic Approach
We meet organizations wherever they are on the cloud journey, from early planning to continuous management.
3
STEP THREE
Customized Solutions
Tailored strategies to refine processes, train teams and stand up the right technology for the work ahead. That can include DevOps, containers and microservices or hybrid cloud integration where it fits the business.
CDW's expertise keeps your cloud transformation secure, cost effective and aligned to your business goals.
FAQ
What is a cloud transformation roadmap?
A cloud transformation roadmap is a plan that lays out the steps and milestones an organization follows to move its IT infrastructure and applications to the cloud. It covers timelines, resource allocation and the KPIs you measure progress against.
What’s the difference between cloud transformation and cloud migration?
Cloud migration is the act of moving applications and data from on-premises to the cloud. Cloud transformation is broader. It includes migration plus the work of optimizing IT infrastructure, processes and applications once they run in the cloud.
How can CDW Canada support my organization’s cloud transformation?
CDW Canada delivers workshops, assessments and a full lifecycle of cloud transformation services. You get expert guidance, a customized strategy and managed services that help your organization move to the cloud and run it well.
What are the key elements to consider in a cloud transformation strategy?
Key elements include:
- Defining objectives
- Assessing readiness
- Selecting the right cloud providers
- Creating a detailed roadmap
- Investing in workforce training
- Establishing governance and compliance frameworks
What are the common challenges in cloud transformation?
Common challenges include:
- Ensuring security and compliance
- Managing costs
- Integrating systems
- Addressing cultural change
- Bridging skill gaps within the IT team
Contact Us
Optimize your cloud transformation journey
Whatever stage of your cloud journey, our team can help your organization find secure, cost-effective and fit-for-purpose services across on-premises and public clouds.