Rebecca Gibson |
This article was originally published in the Autumn 2018 issue of The Record.
How have enterprise cloud service delivery models changed over the past couple of years and what factors have led to this evolution?
Based on the analytical and empirical research we’ve carried out at the Cloud Industry Forum, we can see that security remains the primary hinderance or concern when it comes to cloud adoption. Service providers are aware of this and are adapting the way they deliver cloud services to include effective cybersecurity protection at the root of their proposition.
What are the most common models available on the market today and why do you think these models are most popular?
Having observed the changes in the cloud sector over the past 10 years, it’s clear to see that we have moved away from pure on-premise infrastructure and into the software-as-a-service space.
Can you outline the top three factors that an enterprise should consider when choosing a cloud service delivery model that best fits their business?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to cloud service delivery models because it largely depends on the priorities of the business. For most companies though, cost control (or cost efficiency) remains the top focus. Meanwhile, other companies may prioritise scalability, billing flexibility and strong service level agreements with high resilience.
How do you think the cloud service delivery model will evolve over the next 12 months, and why?
To truly adopt the cloud and capitalise on the benefits it brings, companies will have to do more than just migrate their Microsoft Office toolset; they will need to fully migrate their IT infrastructure, software tools and application development to a cloud model. Businesses will also need a full cloud platform to really take advantage of the new artificial intelligence technologies and cognitive services and reap the rewards.