Migrating to Cloudware - Guide to Cloud Computing for Business and Technology Managers - page 429

The following is a list of reasons an organization would choose to begin its
cloud computing initiative with a hybrid cloud deployment model:
• Begin with the end game. A hybrid cloud deployment as your cloud
start point supports the ultimate end state of cloud computing. Most
industry analysts feel that in a short time, there will be only hybrid
clouds, and the separation into public and private clouds is an artifi-
cial distinction given the infancy of the cloud industry.
• Cloud solution range. Hybrid clouds offer a great magnitude of solu-
tion variations that address business models and solutions that we
can barely imagine now. Why not begin with hybrid clouds early to
better understand what the true potential of cloud is in the bigger
picture? There is no reason why you should constrain your learning
process out of the gate. Hybrid clouds offer that to you.
• Explore cloud-based business models. Hybrid clouds allow you to
explore and create new business models that exploit the combina-
tion of private and public cloud use cases. In this manner, you can
actually explore business model innovation through new channels
to market and new distribution models of internal processes across
your extended value chain. Hybrid clouds offer this unique experi-
ence to your organization.
• Extra-enterprise thinking. Hybrid clouds encourage extra-enterprise
thinking with respect to business processes, cloud solutions, and
capabilities. If you begin your cloud initiative with an extended
enterprise frame of reference, you will be in a better position to inno-
vate your business model, operations model, and business processes
by leveraging cloud solutions.
• End-state knowledge acceleration. Beginning with hybrid clouds
allows your organization to practice the cloud end state sooner by
learning, gaining expertise, and accelerating the knowledge accu-
mulation your team will benefit from in the short and long term. The
more you understand about how cloud will evolve and the sooner
you develop that understanding, the sooner you can exploit first-
mover advantage.
20.4 Cloud Adoption Plan
The cloud adoption plan should ensure close alignment of the target archi-
tecture goals, measures, and initiatives with the strategic business objectives
that address the operational requirements of the business.