How can enterprises evolve beyond virtualisation to open hybrid cloud?

"Cloud isn't virtualisation" but rather more hybrid and dynamic, according to a whitepaper from Red Hat. Although some companies adopt hybrid cloud in an evolutionary way, this "change in mindset means that cloud deployments, like other strategic IT projects, benefit from a degree of process."

The whitepaper also includes research from the IT Process Institute, an independent research organisation. In order to approach the transition to open hybrid cloud, the company outlines four key steps.

Transitioning to open hybrid cloud

First of all, the report states that companies must cut through their cloud clutter. In effect, this entails refocusing initial virtualisation efforts on skills and competencies that support hybrid cloud deployments.

Next, it is integral that enterprises design cloud services rather than systems. The key to cloud success and to minimising shadow IT is thus not just "speeding up delivery of servers, network, storage, and other computing resources, but also changing the form of what IT offers."

It is also important to optimise and automate IT in the cloud. Although a cloud typically utilises virtualised resources, it evidently differs from a static virtualised data centre in regards to construction, operation, and governance.

Finally, the research states that companies must accelerate business results with their cloud. In fact, broad adoption only occurs when users possess enough "confidence and trust in the cloud solution that they turn to IT as the preferred service provider."

Creating compelling open hybrid cloud solutions

In order to create compelling open hybrid cloud solutions, it is critical to deliver the right cloud services. Nevertheless, the report insists that this does not necessarily ensure cloud success.

Instead, companies require a "smart mix of process improvement and visibility" to ultimately create compelling hybrid cloud solutions. Organisations that achieve this thus gain the confidence of users and affect behaviour change that "unleashes the value of cloud computing."

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