Just like agreeing to outsource capabilities to a system integration or outsourcing company, the decision to utilize an external cloud provider requires up-front due diligence. Some of the issues that the CIO will have to take into account when implementing cloud solutions include agility or scalability, security, management and automation.

Can you explain that in detail?

The CIO will have to ensure that the cloud provider has the back-end scalability in terms of data center resources, management capabilities and process knowledge to meet service delivery requirements. With multiple customers likely accessing a single compute resource located on a single server, sharing requires strict security and compliance visibility, so a CIO will have to verify the security strategy of the cloud provider. When transitioning to the cloud set up the need to manage cloud services from a performance, service level, and application response perspective becomes important, the CIO will have to ensure a seamless relationship with the cloud provider for optimal benefits. Besides that the CIO should see that the cloud service provider has technologies such as virtualization, virtual and physical integration, and SOA-based application development processes for more efficient IT service delivery, higher availability, and increased margins. They have to ensure that the right automation solutions are used by the service provider so that there is a reduction in business risks and faster delivery of cloud services.

What are your suggestions to enterprise looking to moving to the cloud?

Enterprise IT’s evolution to the cloud has a fair share of challenges, but also compelling rewards. Despite concerns, most enterprises are implementing virtualization and moving to a cloud computing future. For these enterprises, Symantec offers recommendations to help make the journey as smooth as possible.

Ensure alignment between IT and executives in virtualization and cloud initiatives: It is important to show that you can address C-level concerns such as security and availability. Show that their concerns, while important, can be successfully overcome by leveraging existing best practices and robust solutions that ensure valuable information and critical applications are protected and highly available.

Don’t operate in a silo when it comes to cloud computing.Virtualization and cloud initiatives are most successful when implemented as mainstream, comprehensive IT initiatives. Because they involve all aspects of IT (servers, storage, network, applications, etc.) they can fail when managed as siloed “special projects.” Rather, treat cloud as an IT-wide initiative with all departments included in planning and implementation. Leverage and modernize your existing infrastructure. Before you’re ready to implement hybrid/private cloud, make sure you are leveraging the existing infrastructure to achieve the same efficiencies and then modernizing it as needed. Convert static servers, storage and networking into a virtualized pool of resources. Replace static provisioning with self-service provisioning, and make sure to implement monitoring and metering to demonstrate value to the business.

Remember that despite the hype, cloud is a new and still maturing market. Do your homework to set expectations that are realistic, then follow up and track results to identify ways to improve project efficiency going forward.