IT & Cloud Director at Super-Pharm

As IT organizations attempt wide-scale cloud, a technological and ‘cultural evolution' is required. Our responsibility, as managers and decision-makers, is to better control the process and prepare in advance.

1. HR, HR, HR

The challenge is well known; corporate companies find it difficult to recruit ‘talents’ who prefer to work for startups or high-tech companies. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to find the right employees who can support the ‘old legacy’ developed environments.

2. Both new and old vendors are pushing the transition to development in a cloud environment.

a. New technologies, such as AI, Machine learning, etc., are developed in cloud environments only.

b. Existing software vendors adjusted their licensing model and offered only the software as a service model.

3. The daily ongoing efforts involved in maintaining a large amount of data, servers, and infrastructure components are enormous and constantly growing.

4. The ability of the IT department to provide rapid solutions for the organization and quick ‘day to day’ solutions is a huge advantage.

So, how do you make this transition?

First, understand the challenges, complexities, and timelines, as it's a lengthy process that will not happen overnight.

  ​As IT organizations attempt wide-scale cloud, a technological and ‘cultural evolution’ is required. 

Key Features for Success

1. Adopting a 'cloud first' strategy. The 6 R’s model is a good start.

a. Go ‘SaaS’ wherever possible. It will be the new default solution for all new requirements.

b. Re-examination process of all products in all categories. This must include a long-term vision that supports cloud strategy and the future desktop environment. In some cases, we will have the option to stay with the same product and consume it in a SaaS model; in other cases, we must consider replacement with another SaaS product.

c. App modernization: Re-platform/refactor every ‘self-development’ application. Upgrading to web/native ‘frontend client’ and containerized back-end services.

2. Examining the process from the eyes of end-user experience, and not just as technologists. How do we want modern desktop end-users to look like?

3. Budget adjustments: Reduction in investments yet a significant increase in service expenses.

4. Change in the structure of the IT department. Recruiting new positions (cloud architects, DevOps, and automation), training and investing in developing existing employees, role changes, and adjusting the IT service unit.

Vendor management will also ‘drastically’ change.

Previous work methods were based on consultants and integration companies, with the new way being based on direct connections (Mainly SaaS providers) who provide a direct channel with IT teams, CSM, and PS teams. The IT teams are no longer willing to have someone else do the work for them; they want to do all the work themselves and feel confident to work directly with the vendors.

Development processes: As part of the modernization, all development teams will need to implement advanced CI/CD development processes as standard.

Change management: The work environment of the end user is going to change significantly with new applications and changes in the work method. To reduce concerns, it is advisable to make the changes gradually, integrate training, and provide a high-quality technical solution.