What does the Cloud mean to you?

For a long time, 'the Cloud' was the default answer. But with the current global instability, is it still that straightforward?

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Written by
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Posted on
03
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04
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2023
2024
Written by
&
Posted on
03
-
04
-
2023
2024

More and more companies are using Cloud services, according to research by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). In 2021, this figure was as high as 66%[1]. The popularity of Cloud services is largely due to companies wanting to pay for what they use. Avoiding operational IT costs and no longer needing to invest in hardware is a major goal for many businesses. The solution? Move to the Cloud! At least, that was the default answer for a long time. But with the current global instability, that answer is no longer so straightforward.

Larik-Jan Verschuren, CTO at Fundaments, discusses the changing definition of the Cloud in this article.

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“Protests and riots in France, war in Ukraine, and crashing banks in America: there is a lot going on in the world. The divide between major powers is growing. This also impacts the world of IT and puts pressure on the definition of the Cloud. Take Project Texas, for example. Through this initiative, the Chinese-owned TikTok is trying to alleviate American fears that user data is being shared with the Chinese government. They claim that American data is stored on American soil, managed by an American company, and overseen by American personnel. Sovereignty is the keyword here. In short, the days when 'the Cloud' was a generic term are long behind us. Due to global changes, you see not only increasing regulation but also a growing sense of awareness. Is this helpful? Partly, if you ask me. Being aware of and thinking carefully about where you keep your crown jewels is obviously good, but it shouldn't descend into propaganda. An important first step is to handle it consciously and think carefully about what the definition of your Cloud actually is.”

“Over the past few months, I have seen many cases pass by regarding the question, ‘How do we move to the Cloud?’ These cases have been very diverse: ranging from a request to convert a local corporate data center into a bar, to simply closing a data center to redistribute costs. The central driver in all cases: control. Especially important here is cost control (predictability), but also simply technical control.”

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“From a cost perspective, the Cloud is not simple: many platforms, and especially hyperscalers, offer more and more features and, consequently, more and more cost components. Multiplied by the fact that everything is ‘pay-as-you-go’ and billed in arrears, the invoice becomes increasingly complex, and the bottom-line amount is difficult to predict. What hasn't changed, however, is the desire to consume services using a pay-per-use model.”

“Then there is that control; that is precisely where I see a broadening of the demand. Many issues revolve around managing applications and the underlying infrastructure. And that infrastructure is often underestimated in terms of how it can be consumed. While 9 times out of 10 you hear, ‘It’s a platform from Cloud provider X,’ the answer is multifaceted. From conversations with clients and prospects, I sometimes hear the request for it to simply be a piece of data center space with a monthly model linked to pay-per-use. Realizing that the Cloud is ultimately a running server that needs to be managed opens up many possibilities.”

“For anyone thinking about outsourcing IT to an operational model with consumption-based billing, I would say: think carefully about what you want to achieve. Is it about shifting investment risks? Or does the technology—and therefore the way of working—need to change? Solutions for this vary greatly. And then there is that piece about awareness I started with. The same question applies there: what do you expect from the solution when it comes to your company’s crown jewels (data)?”

"At Fundaments, we offer a myriad of answers. I am happy to think along with you and take on the challenge of facilitating the best-fitting solution. Do you have a question? Get in touch with me!"

[1] https://longreads.cbs.nl/ict-k...

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