Back in the 1960s and 1970s, the technology ecosystem in any enterprise centered around single-purpose applications running on a standalone computer or mainframe. Since then, integrated enterprise systems have grown far more complex as software became embedded into every business process — and by the 2020s, businesses are reporting that IT operational costs have tripled since the 2000s, with application outages up 800%.
What's Driving the Complexity
A common problem is linked to the move to the cloud: enterprises expect a seamless transition that improves performance at lower cost, but cloud-powered systems are growing more complex every year. IT teams spend roughly a third of their time on performance-related issues, costing employers an estimated $3.3 million annually, and 44% of CIOs say they're unable to manage their IT performance. Driving factors include the growing complexity of enterprise-level applications, the emergence of hybrid multi-cloud ecosystems, and a lack of integration between cloud-native applications and legacy systems.
The Talent Gap
Cloud migration doesn't eliminate technology endpoints — servers, databases, applications — so cloud environments still need to integrate with existing legacy systems. Compounding this, enterprise architects are gradually giving way to cloud specialists trained on specific technologies that fit narrower organizational needs, leaving fewer people who see the whole picture.
Optimizing Cloud Costs
A technology partner helps optimize cloud costs by preparing an accurate cost estimate for the entire project, overseeing the project budget through a centralized team, and improving cost analytics and reporting.
Managing the Multi-Cloud Environment
IT teams often need to address the complexity of a multi-cloud environment. Cloud service providers can help by deploying tools for cloud-based automation, automatic scaling, and cost management, and by training existing staff to work efficiently across a multi-cloud setup.
Preventing Vendor Lock-In
To avoid lock-in with any single vendor, cloud service providers should integrate a client's cloud resources with their on-premises environment — letting companies move in and out of the cloud without interoperability issues.
Addressing the Cloud Talent Shortage
A 2020 PwC survey found that 32% of companies rank the shortage of cloud talent as a major challenge. With the right technology partner, companies can develop a Cloud Center of Excellence to research the best-fit cloud solutions, choose the right cloud model, and implement it well.
Cloud technology is becoming crucial for optimum business performance in every industry domain, but cloud adopters can easily complicate their own IT ecosystem without the right management and implementation approach. A technology partner skilled in cloud services can help companies actually realize business value from their cloud investment — through managed services, cloud cost optimization, cloud-native application development, and DevSecOps.
