- You want to leverage cloud deployments to reduce management costs, convert Capex to Opex, and enable scale on demand – all while only paying for resources when used.
- Enterprise database licensing, deployment, and maintenance are among the most complex and expensive activities in IT.
- Not all databases present a use case for a cloud deployment.
- The effort required to re-platform enterprise systems for the cloud can erode perceived savings.
- IT may not have the skills to deploy, integrate, and support enterprise systems in the cloud.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Don’t focus on whether the cloud is ready for the database – identify whether each database workload is ready for the cloud.
- Identify database workloads to move to the cloud via a holistic cloud strategy; avoid an ad hoc approach that’s more expensive, time-consuming, and can leave you with blind spots.
- Look before you leap; identify risks and mitigation strategies associated with moving the enterprise database to the cloud.
- Vendors will be much more tightly integrated into your ability to deliver services. Review vendor best practices, and move from ad hoc vendor management to a defined process.
Impact and Result
- Break down the cloud strategy into digestible, concrete steps.
- Identify and mitigate risks to your database in a cloud computing environment before you migrate.
- Develop a consistent process for vendor management and database provisioning.
Workshop: Craft a Cloud Strategy for the Enterprise Database
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 delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Review the Value Opportunity
The Purpose
- Select database workloads that are good candidates for a pilot deployment.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Document the current state and select workloads for a deep dive in Phase 2.
Activities
Outputs
Review cloud definitions and assess your current state.
- Identify drivers, champions, and potential workloads for this project.
Identify and prioritize use cases for cloud database deployment.
Assess value and readiness for cloud candidates.
- Use the Cloud Database Strategy Workbook to create a decision matrix and compare readiness and value.
Module 2: Document and Mitigate Cloud Database Risks
The Purpose
- Identify and rightsize risks.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Identify risks and mitigation strategies, and develop a mitigation roadmap.
Activities
Outputs
Identify the risk to your deployment and develop a risk register.
- Create a risk register using the Cloud Database Strategy Workbook.
Develop mitigation strategies.
- Document mitigation strategies in the Cloud Database Strategy Workbook.
Evaluate mitigation strategies and develop a roadmap.
- Score, schedule, and prioritize mitigation strategies in the Cloud Database Strategy Risk Mitigation Roadmap.
Module 3: Complete the Cloud Database Strategy
The Purpose
- Establish vendor best practices, create repeatable processes, and document the strategy.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Create a plan for the future and communicate the cloud strategy.
Activities
Outputs
Review vendors and contractual best practices.
- Translate mitigation strategies into vendor requirements.
Measure performance and total cost.
- Calculate TCO for the deployment using Info-Tech’s TCO calculator.
Develop SOPs and document strategy.
- Document and communicate the strategy using Info-Tech’s Executive Presentation and Project Charter for this blueprint.