In the era of digital transformation, cloud technology has revolutionised the way businesses operate. 

To shed light on the intricacies of cloud transformation, we had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas Radosh, the Founder and CTO at Deployflow.

Assisting Organisations in Cloud Migration

D: How does Deployflow assist organisations in the planning and execution of their cloud migration strategies?

Thomas: My journey with cloud technology began back in 2008, long before cloud giants like Microsoft Azure took center stage. Our core philosophy is to understand our clients’ unique needs and build a sustainable solution that makes sense for their business. We recognize that the cloud isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. What sets us apart is our commitment to working with clients to achieve long-term value, ensuring they receive a substantial return on their cloud investment.

There are numerous instances where projects have been initiated but failed due to a lack of alignment with the organisation’s goals. We aim to empower organisations to get the most value from the cloud. To achieve this, we spend time understanding our clients’ business objectives and collaborate to design a cloud journey that fits their needs. While various tools and services can expedite the process, understanding the endpoint is crucial. We avoid heading in the wrong direction by investing time in our clients, understanding their business objectives, and then crafting the right cloud solution for a successful migration.

In some cases, certain services need to be replaced rather than migrated. For instance, traditional on-premises endpoint management tools may not be suitable for a cloud environment. We guide organisations in building new, cloud-native solutions when necessary. Our approach is cloud-agnostic, which means we work with various cloud providers like AW, Google Cloud, Azure, and others. Our goal is to identify the right solution for each organisation, focusing on their unique needs rather than pushing a specific cloud provider.

Trends in Cloud Transformation

D: What trends and changes have you observed in how organisations approach cloud transformation over the past few years?

Thomas: It’s fascinating to see the varying levels of cloud maturity across different markets. Some companies have embraced the cloud for years, while others are just beginning to explore its potential. Recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated cloud adoption. Many organisations realized the limitations of relying on physical offices and data centers, prompting them to view the cloud as the natural next step. The cloud offers value, cost optimisation, and enhanced reliability.

The growth and understanding of cloud services like infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, and software as a service have evolved significantly in recent years. While many organisations initially treated the cloud as a simple infrastructure migration, they now recognize that true value comes from leveraging the full spectrum of cloud services. This shift in understanding and the maturity of cloud technology has allowed organisations to make more informed decisions about the right solutions to adopt.

The cloud has also gained trust and regulatory approval, particularly in financial services. This has reassured organisations that they can securely hold and process their data in the cloud. The journey toward AI has further highlighted the cloud’s ability to efficiently process data and facilitate data management. Cloud technology has simplified data classification, making it easier to identify data sources and create strong value propositions for businesses.

Successful Case Studies in Cloud Transformation

D: Can you share some successful case studies or examples of organisations that have undergone a successful cloud transformation with your services?

Thomas: We’ve had the privilege of working with several organisations on their cloud transformation journeys. One noteworthy case involves a major energy provider. They approached us with a need for data analytics and processing services. Their traditional on-premises systems couldn’t scale effectively to support remote workers, which prompted them to explore cloud solutions.

Azure was the right choice for them due to their longstanding Microsoft partnership and the integration within their existing network and infrastructure. We assisted them in building an Azure space that improved scalability and efficiency. During this journey, we identified additional opportunities, such as endpoint device management. They realized that their traditional device management approach didn’t support their “bring your own device” policy effectively. We helped them set up Microsoft Endpoint Manager, ensuring the right policies were in place to manage endpoints securely.

This successful collaboration has opened doors to new services. We’re now helping them set up a marketing campaign engine in the cloud, allowing them to scale up or down based on demand without impacting other operations.

In another case, one of the largest fruit berry growers in the UK was running traditional on-premises infrastructure. They began to experience issues with legacy services reaching their end of life and end of support. We initiated the transformation by working with various software as a service providers, including Microsoft, to migrate to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central and transition from on-premises systems. This hybrid approach allows them to retain some on-premises services while maturing their cloud technology adoption.

The transformation also extends to improving outdated tools, some of which had been in use for a decade. Upgrading and migrating these tools not only enhances performance but also paves the way for further growth.

Overcoming Barriers to Successful Cloud Adoption

Q: While most companies are getting some of the anticipated value from their cloud journeys, only 42% on average are getting everything they expect. What steps organisations need to make to overcome barriers to successful cloud adoption in the future?

Thomas: Overcoming barriers to successful cloud adoption is crucial. Organisations often encounter challenges in their cloud journeys. First, there’s the issue of shadow IT, where employees use unauthorised tools or services outside of the organisation’s control. This can create friction during cloud migration because employees may already be using tools not aligned with the chosen cloud solution. Therefore, it’s essential for organisations to have a full understanding of the tools used within their business and the challenges they aim to resolve.

Second, many organisations view the cloud as a straightforward infrastructure migration, treating it as if it’s merely moving servers to a different location. However, the cloud offers a wealth of services and opportunities that organisations often fail to fully utilize. Cloud-native solutions and proper planning are critical to maximise the benefits of the cloud.

Lastly, there’s a misconception that the cloud will always lead to cost savings due to pay-as-you-go pricing models. While this can be true, organisations must recognise that a simple lift-and-shift approach may not yield the expected savings. Proper planning, considering the unique demands of the cloud, and leveraging cloud-native features are essential to achieve the desired value.

Transform your business with Cloud

Cloud technology is continuously evolving, with features and services constantly being updated and replaced. Partnering with organisations like Deployflow, who invest time in researching new technologies and understanding market trends, is invaluable. Deployflow can guide organisations in leveraging the latest tools and opportunities to achieve greater success in their cloud journey. Reach out to one of our experts to learn how we can help you on this journey.