Choose a Public Cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service Partner

Public cloud IaaS is gaining traction and going mainstream. Select the right provider of cloud services for specific use cases to get the most from your hybrid cloud infrastructure.

Unlock

This content requires an active subscription.

Access this content by logging in with your Info-Tech Research Group membership or contacting one of our representatives for assistance.

Speak With A Representative Sign In
or Call: 1-888-670-8889 (US) or 1-844-618-3192 (CAN)

Solution Set Storyboard thumbnail
View Storyboard

Your Challenge

  • Outsourcing part of your IT infrastructure is inevitable. The question is no longer about whether to outsource, but when to outsource.
  • IT infrastructure outsourcing options are plentiful and growing. There are more options to outsource to the cloud than ever before, including a suitable solution for every organization.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

  • Time your public cloud IaaS project to the infrastructure hardware refresh cycle. Don’t throw away perfectly good servers just to move to the cloud.
  • Don’t blindly implement public cloud IaaS just to save money, and at the cost of performance.
  • Hybrid services are hot. Providers are differentiating themselves through managed cloud services and multi-service hybrid offerings. 

Impact and Result

  • Assess cost and strategic fit when determining deployment decisions.
  • Treat your cloud vendor as a partner – collaboration works much better than penalties do.
  • Consider both current and future requirements when selecting a public cloud IaaS solution and build them into your contract.

Contributors

  • Tom Baker, Manager of Architecture & Research, NZ Department of Corrections
  • Glenn Burnside, Executive VP, Headspring
  • Brian Doyle, Infrastructure Architect, Gen Worth
  • Scott Clark, Vice President, Innovation Credit Union Limited
  • David Schwindt, Manager IM/IT, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
  • Terry Honeycutt, MIS Director, Pueblo of Isleta Government Programs
  • Bart Veldhuis, Cloud Consultant, Weolcan
  • Peter Joseph, Cloud Architect & Independent Consultant
  • Brian Pokojoy, Associate Director, University of Calgary
  • Rick van der Mieden, Infrastructure and Cloud Architect, Resonate IT
  • Paul Baran and Craig Bates, Director Business Systems, Allegheny Technologies Inc.
  • Shlomi Fanan, Head of Cloud Computing, WE Ankor
  • Bala Dengale, Cloud Architect
  • Nick Korte, Infrastructure Administrator, Organic Valley
  • Kevin Vigil, Director of Information Technology, Southwest Care Center

Additional interviews were conducted but due to privacy and confidentiality requirements, they are not listed.

Get the Complete Storyboard

See how all the steps you need to take come together, with tools and advice to help with each task on your list.

Download Now

Get to Action

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out how to choose the right public cloud IaaS partner, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and discover the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

  1. Launch the public cloud IaaS project and collect requirements

    Develop a project plan to launch the public cloud IaaS project.

  2. Select a public cloud IaaS solution

    Select the best-fit public cloud vendor based on the requirements and criteria.

  3. Plan the public cloud IaaS implementation

    Transform the public cloud plan into an implementable project.

Guided Implementation icon Guided Implementation

This guided implementation is a nine call advisory process.

    Guided Implementation #1 - Launch the public cloud IaaS project and collect requirements

  • Call #1: Identify organizational fit and deployment with public cloud IaaS.

  • Call #2: Create the project plan.

  • Call #3: Gather requirements and metrics.

    • Guided Implementation #2 - Select your public cloud IaaS solution

  • Call #1: Discuss and complete the IaaS vendor assessment.

  • Call #2: Complete the IaaS RFP template.

  • Call #3: Conduct contract review.

    • Guided Implementation #3 - Plan your public cloud IaaS implementation

  • Call #1: Create an implementation plan and roadmap.

  • Call #2: Discuss rollout of processes and hand over to Operations.

  • Call #3: Review your exit strategy and communication plan.

Schedule Your First Call

Onsite Workshop

Module 1: Launch the Public Cloud IaaS Project and Collect Requirements

The Purpose

  • Identify organizational fit and deployment method for public cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).
  • Create the project plan.
  • Gather requirements and metrics.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • Development of your organization’s public cloud IaaS requirements and metrics lists.
  • Creation of a project plan that includes a high-level strategy plan.

Activities: Outputs:
1.1 Conduct a strategy, use case, and driver analysis.
1.2 Create your cloud IaaS project charter.
  • Documented project charter
1.3 Gather and record the team.
1.4 Identify and prioritize your cloud IaaS project goals.
1.5 Conduct a high level TCO assessment.
1.6 Evaluate features to create your requirements scorecard.
  • Public cloud IaaS requirements and features list
1.7 Formulate the metrics.
  • Creation of metrics for the metric scorecard

Module 2: Select Your Public Cloud IaaS Solution

The Purpose

  • Discuss and complete the IaaS vendor assessment.
  • Complete the IaaS RFP template.
  • Contract review.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • A completed vendor assessment scorecard outlining the recommended vendor(s).
  • Selection of a public cloud IaaS solution.

Activities: Outputs:
2.1 Evaluate vendor profiles to determine your shortlist.
2.2 Determine the weightings for criteria in your assessment tool.
2.3 Create the assessment tool scoring criteria and features.
  • Completion of a custom vendor assessment scorecard with a refined scoring methodology and criteria
2.4 Plan for and conduct vendor demos.
  • A structured analysis for each vendor on the shortlist
2.5 Analyze your technical short- and long-term requirements with the capacity assessment template.
  • Public cloud IaaS capacity and technical requirements assessment
2.6 Integrate the scorecard requirements into an RFP.
2.7 Score the vendors on your shortlist.
2.8 Select a vendor and cloud solution.

Module 3: Plan Your Public Cloud IaaS Implementation

The Purpose

  • Create an implementation plan and roadmap.
  • Discuss rollout of processes and hand over to Operations.
  • Review your exit strategy and communication plan.

Key Benefits Achieved

  •  A project implementation and communication plan.

Activities: Outputs:
3.1 Establish an implementation resourcing plan.
  • Implementation resourcing plan and work breakdown structure
3.2 Plan your implementation task list by looking at people, process, and technology initiatives.
3.3 Create the implementation roadmap.
  • Comprehensive project roadmap
3.4 Develop a communication deck and strategy.
  • A communication strategy or plan
3.5 Assess your project’s progress with the metrics scorecard tool.
  • Completed metrics scorecard and evaluation of it
3.6 Formulate an exit strategy.

Workshop Icon Book Your Workshop

Onsite Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn’t enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our Project Workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a road map in place to complete your project successfully.

Book Now

Outsourcing & Co-Location Map

GET HELP Contact Us
×
VL Methodology

Request a call, book an appointment, or live chat with one of our representatives.

Get in Touch