In past posts, we’ve written about why you should consider and how to optimize hybrid cloud for your technology needs. It goes without saying that as we examine the technology landscape today, the business case for hybrid cloud is stronger than ever, with nearly 80% of enterprises committing to adoption by 2017. Transitioning to a hybrid cloud stack offers enterprises the opportunity to transition into the cloud without too much stress on already-existing platforms.
On-ramping into the hybrid cloud is another story. To stay innovative, companies require all hands on deck to assist in moving ahead in technology and use technologies like WebSphere Application Server 9 (WAS 9) to make their deployments possible. Today’s post offers a glimpse, focusing on 3 key on-ramping areas: Create, Connect, and Optimize.
On-Ramp Strategy #1: Create
The first on-ramp strategy for moving into the hybrid cloud is creation, which involves the development of new services that span enterprise boundaries. Created applications include application programming interfaces, compelling customer experiences, and extend customer reach to offer flexible use, whether the end-user is on their desktop computer or accessing the application from their mobile device. Customers benefit by experiencing faster time to value and continuous business innovation.
On-Ramp Strategy #2: Connect
The second on-ramp strategy unlocks what already exists by connecting legacy applications into the cloud. When connecting legacy applications, IT professionals and leaders must consider how applications can be secure and scalable in their use to enhance back-end applications. This allows legacy applications to enjoy the benefits of the cloud without the heavy-lifting of migration while also extending existing investments like WebSphere Application Server (WAS). Finally, ideal connection of applications means faster time to market and lower costs.
On-Ramp Strategy #3: Optimize
The final on-ramp strategy looks at optimization, which involves deploying workloads where they are efficient, cost-effective, and strategic. In particular, you can take advantage of the cloud with “pay-as-you-go” situations where nearly 30% savings can be enjoyed due to on-demand versus always-on usage. This allows the organization to not only enjoy new technology innovations but also save money on their bottom-line.
What’s Next?
Once a strategy has been unlocked, it’s important for organizations to identify who will be responsible for each on-ramp area. Specifically:
- Line of Business – Responsible for the business strategy.
- Developer – Responsible for platform and application development.
- CIO / Enterprise Architect – Responsible for connectivity, security, privacy, and infrastructure maximization.
- IT Operations – Responsible for scalability, stability, and operations.
With WebSphere Application Server 9, cloud and mobile interoperability come standard in an industry-leading, highly available platform. Developers and IT leaders alike can enjoy the benefits of hybrid cloud while continuing to innovate for the future to connect applications, compete on the global market, and optimize their technology needs.
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