The document outlines the key considerations for businesses preparing to transition to cloud computing, emphasizing the various types of cloud services such as SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. It addresses critical issues such as security, data management, connectivity, and contract terms, urging due diligence in vendor selection. Additionally, it suggests trialing cloud services in strategically important areas to ensure alignment with organizational IT strategies.

1. Ready for the Cloud?
Event hash tag: #lasatech11
Simon Heath
simon@thefinalstep.co.uk
Twitter @TheFinalStepIT
www.linkedin.com/in/heathsimon
www.thefinalstep.co.uk
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

2. Ready for the Cloud?
Event hash tag: #lasatech11
Guy Gregory
guy@thefinalstep.co.uk
Twitter @TheFinalStepIT
www.linkedin.com/in/guygregory
www.thefinalstep.co.uk
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

3. Ready for the Cloud?
On – premise Cloud
Internet connection
Desktops / laptops / mobiles
Servers
Switches
Applications: Word, Excel etc
Install and configure
Upgrades
Patch and maintain
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

4. Ready for the Cloud?
Common elements
• On-demand and self-managing
• Shared resources
• Quick scaling
• Metered billing
• Network access
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

5. Ready for the Cloud?
Different types of cloud?
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
Application delivered over the Internet (often in a browser)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Allows development and design of customised cloud solutions
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Servers, storage and networking delivered as a service
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

6. Ready for the Cloud?
The Cloud Promise
Pay less Manage less Get more
Lower predictable No patching Security
cost
Pay for what you No maintenance Reliability
use
Capex to Opex No upgrades Free upgrades
Low entry cost Less infrastructure Access
Cash flow Scalability
Less power
Greener
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

7. Ready for the Cloud?
The Cloud reality
“Don't be an early adopter too early… due diligence is a
necessity when evaluating cloud and SaaS vendors to
ensure they're stable and reputable…
If you're just starting out, don’t believe the hype that you
have to move everything all at once”
John Engates, CTO at Rackspace
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

8. Ready for the Cloud?
Key issue– Security
You are legally responsible for your
data.
Yet you have given away control of it to
someone else.
So you’d better trust them.
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

9. Ready for the Cloud?
Key issue– Data
Putting your data in when starting
Getting your data back out at end
Compatibility
Ownership
Backup and recovery
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

10. Ready for the Cloud?
Key issue– Strategy
What is your IT Strategy for your
organisation?
How would a cloud solution help?
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

11. Ready for the Cloud?
Key issue– Devices and Connectivity
Speed of connection
ADSL, SDSL, Leased Line, 3G
Data availability
Devices
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

12. Ready for the Cloud?
http://speedtest.microsoftonline.com/
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

13. Ready for the Cloud?
Key issue– Contract
Standard terms favour provider
What happens at end?
What happens if insolvency?
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

14. Ready for the Cloud?
Who is the Cloud
right for?
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

15. Ready for the Cloud?
How do you test the Cloud?
• Pick strategically important areas
• Run a trial
• Make sure trial tests
– key workers
– key functions
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk

16. Ready for the Cloud?
Questions and Answers
guy@thefinalstep.co.uk
www.linkedin.com/in/guygregory
simon@thefinalstep.co.uk
www.linkedin.com/in/heathsimon
Twitter @TheFinalStepIT
www.thefinalstep.co.uk
The Final Step Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR T: 020 7572 0000 F: 020 7571 1699 E: contact@thefinalstep.co.uk