From Cloud Adoption toService OptimizationGetting the Most from a Cloud Partner for Business Efficiencyand InnovationA complementary guide from global cloud provider Leaseweb

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ContentsIntroduction .............................................................................................. 5

The cloud optimization journey ............................................................ 7

Work towards hybrid cloud flexibility .................................................. 8

Stand firm with security controls ....................................................... 10

Have a business outcome focus ......................................................... 12

Leverage managed cloud: From system to portal access ............. 14

Review the total cost of cloud and data ............................................ 16

Take advantage of engineering-level support ................................. 17

Go global with reach and data control .............................................. 18

Be standards-based and avoid lock-in .............................................. 19

Plan for performance and scalability ................................................ 20

A platform for innovation and developer support ........................... 21

Conclusion ............................................................................................... 23

About Leaseweb .................................................................................... 24

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IntroductionCloud adoption and use is poised for a significant change. For the past

decade organizations have adopted cloud for a spectrum of applica-

tions; however, simply adopting a cloud service does not necessarily

equate to an increase in business efficiency.

Additionally, cloud services are often procured for rapid migrations and fast deployment

of new applications. This approach can lead to unnecessary complexity and lax gover-

nance, including security controls.

With the cloud services market set to reach $US236 billion in 2020, the appetite for

cloud is still growing strongly. The future of cloud competitive advantage will lie in how

it is applied to each business application and most organizations are now well placed

for a more detailed review of the value cloud services deliver.

This report, From Cloud Adoption to Service Optimization: Getting the most from a

cloud partner for business efficiency and innovation, is intended to help IT and busi-

ness leaders look beyond cloud uptake to uncover opportunities for cost savings and

more business value.

The guide identifies 10 significant factors often overlooked when deciding on a cloud

solution. These factors present a lot of scope for optimization.

Business leaders can use this guide as part of their decision making process and busi-

ness cases for better use of cloud.

A new era of business efficiency and innovation awaits organizations which take the

next steps on their cloud journey. When cloud is seen as an enabler, not simply an op-

tion, the business benefits will flow through each department.

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The cloudoptimization journey

Choosing a cloud provider for any application involves deciding on

a number of requirements and aligning those with what the provider

offers.

Many companies have adopted cloud services for a variety of applications without con-

sidering how optimal the service is for the workload. This hurried decision making is

forcing a rethink of how beneficial cloud is for the application.

Optimizing cloud is a journey that often involves using a combination of services to form

a hybrid architecture. Companies now have the option of procuring multiple services to

satisfy a workload or business requirement, thus delivering a new level of agility and

innovation. The following selection factors are designed to help business and IT leaders

make an informed choice when reviewing existing cloud services or when considering

cloud to complement, or replace, any on-premises infrastructure.

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Work towards hybrid cloud flexibilityThere is a lot of discussion about hybrid cloud, but what does it mean for most companies?

Enterprises stand to gain a lot from a hybrid cloud capability, as it enables a new era in

flexibility for development, testing and deployment of software applications.

On-premises Serviceprovider Hosted

VirtualPrivate Cloud

Dedicated Hybrid Cloud

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Many companies start their cloud journey by hosting

an application on virtual servers. However, as demand

grows they discover challenges with scaling the appli-

cation to cater for thousands, or millions, of end-users.

Moving to dedicated servers can be more efficient and

cost effective. There are also high memory, storage and

input-output (I/O) benefits that come with dedicated

servers.

Working towards a unified management interface

across different types of cloud infrastructure is an

essential strategic advantage for keeping control of a

hybrid cloud. Unified infrastructure management will

also help operations staff be more efficient responding

to business demands.

Look for a flexible cloud platform that allows you to

choose any variety of cloud technologies, including ful-

ly private servers in the resource pool. This will allow

you to deploy most workloads without compromising

performance or flexibility. For example, you can per-

form test and development activities on virtual servers,

but investigate deployment of the application on dedi-

cated servers.

Real hybrid cloud involves connecting on-premises,

dedicated and virtual server and storage infrastruc-

ture. Hybrid also allows you to take advantage of off-

loading workloads to a cloud during peak periods.

It is imperative to work with a cloud provider to get the

right mix of services to deliver workloads in the most

efficient and optimal way.

Optimizinghybrid cloud

• Hybrid allows you to deploy

most workloads without

compromising performance or

flexibility

• Work towards developing a

unified management interface

• Look for the right mix of

cloud technologies, from

virtual to physical

infrastructure

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Are some cloud service types more secure than others?

This depends on a combination of the options available

to you as a customer and the level of investments made

by the provider.

Review the multitude of factors which combine to make

a cloud provider secure. These include recognized ISO

certifications, support for isolation and encryption tech-

nologies, and a comprehensive governance framework

across different geographies. Moreover, look for a solid

history in managing security on an enterprise scale.

A cloud which allows strict control over access to the

dedicated server or virtual private cloud infrastructure

is ideal for larger companies, which are accustomed

to that level of security in their own facilities. Matching

your security certifications with those of the provider

gives executive teams more confidence to add cloud

options to the company’s service delivery portfolio.

Secure data centers, industry certification and dealing

with independent legal entities in the country you are

operating, all add to the surety of working with a cloud

provider which takes security seriously.

Many companies also have requirements for where the

data is located and what system-level access they have

to it. If data ever needed to be migrated from one lo-

cation to another, it is important to choose a provider

which helps facilitate that, not make it more difficult

than it should be.

Stand firm withsecurity controlsSecurity is top of mind when selecting a cloud provider, and for most organizations, keeping customer data secure and private is abusiness imperative.

“Instead of trying to build every

security service in-house, increase

efficiency by leveraging a cloud

provider.”

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Optimizingcloud security

• Cloud provider security

depends on the company’s

certifications and on-going

investments

• Match your security

requirements to those of

the provider. This will help

optimize deployments

• Determine if customer data

needs to be protected

under local law

• Look for managed security

services and add-ons to

optimize your operations

Penetration Testing

ISOCertification

Managedsecurityservices

CloudSecurity

Infrastrucutre Containment

LocalGovernance

Ongoinginvestments

Other important factors for consideration when choosing a cloud

partner is the frequency in which it invests in modern security infra-

structure and services. Instead of trying to build every security service

in-house, increase efficiency by leveraging a cloud provider. Take a lay-

ered security approach by investing in the application security that you

control and subscribing to internet-level security services which tend

to be managed by the provider.

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In the early days of cloud, workloads were migrated

to one type of cloud technology and the business out-

comes were closely tied to cost reduction and speed to

market. Today, with a variety of cloud technology avail-

able to businesses, it is important to speak with a per-

son who can offer architectural and engineering advice

from the pre-sales engagement.

Business outcomes call for the right mix of technology

for the right application. A disaster recovery business

case might be very different from a new product de-

velopment business case and there are cloud options

for both.

Unlike a big system integrator or consulting firm en-

gagement, cloud providers can offer outcome-focused

advisory for their customers with minimal overhead to

design the most optimal solution.

Customers have options for asking their cloud provid-

er to help find the right platform to solve a business

problem. Cloud provider value-added services can help

align IT to business goals, and advise on how to best ap-

proach cloud to deliver a business outcome without the

need for a third-party services company engagement.

Moving towards a partnership approach will uncover

better architecture and infrastructure decisions that

drive business outcomes.

Another step on the path to cloud optimization is to have

a discussion with your provider about getting a close

match between your commercial arrangements and

those of the provider’s.

Simple things like knowing how much you are spend-

ing, billing cycles, contract terms and periods, SLAs and

exit clauses can become quite complex in the cloud. The

more information you can share about your business

processes with the cloud provider the better the out-

comes will be.

Have a businessoutcome focusFor most companies, the adoption of cloud services involves signifi-cant technical changes which will ultimately impact the business. For cloud to be used optimally, the line-of-business and technical teams must collaborate on business outcomes from the start.

CHALLENGEIdentify the problem or

challenge holding back the

organization.

ALIGNEngage with providers who can

help align the right cloud archi-

tecture for the business

challenge.

IMPROVETake advantage of hybrid

cloud flexiblity to overcome the

business challenge and mitigate

future problems.

Optimizingbusiness outcomes

• Get the business and tech-

nical teams collaborating

on outcomes from the start

• Cloud providers can help

align IT to business goals,

and advise on how to best

approach cloud to deliver a

business outcome without

the need for a services

company engagement

• Move to a partnership

approach with your cloud

provider to get a close

match between your com-

mercial arrangements and

those of the provider’s

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Work with your provider to streamline and optimize

the commercial engagement as much as possible. Re-

member, you want to focus on the business outcomes of

cloud technology and not get too tied down with supplier

administration.

“Moving towards a partnership

approach will uncover better

architecture and infrastructure

decisions that drive business

outcomes.”

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In recent years cloud providers have started

offering “managed cloud” services as part of

their portfolio. But what does this mean for

customers?

Like on-premises servers and storage equipment, cloud

infrastructure requires continuous oversight to perform

optimally and mitigate security threats. And the levels

of management available in the cloud vary greatly.

A pure cloud service can be unmanaged and the cus-

tomer handles all software configuration and updates.

A managed cloud, however, leverages expertise and

pro-active support from the provider to get the most out

of the service. In the middle is a range of different sup-

port options – from one-off task assistance to ongoing

service monitoring.

Managed cloud can be at every layer in the technology

stack, from data center, server and network manage-

ment, to the virtualization and orchestration layers, all

the way up to the actual infrastructure, including moni-

toring dashboards and data backups.

Managed cloud is very relevant to larger companies

which are likely to be running many more servers and

containers than the average cloud customer. Instead

of hiring an army of cloud specialists, consider taking

advantage of a managed cloud offering for a range of

business outcomes.

Managed cloud services might be more expensive, but

they can bring many unexpected benefits – activities

which are done by the provider in a more efficient way

will free up staff to perform higher value tasks. And this

is great for business innovation.

Leverage managed cloud:From system to portalaccess

“By working with a company that keeps

tracks of where technology is going –

and how technology should be applied

– your organization will remain at the

forefront of cloud adoption.”

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Optimizingmanaged cloud

• Managed cloud services

cost more, but deliver many

efficiency benefits

• Know what level of man

agement you get from your

provider and whether ex-

isting support SLAs will

cover your application in

the event of a problem

• Managed cloud options are

available for a range of

business outcomes, includ-

ing API use and automation

Unmanaged• Console access

• Skills dependent

• Basic support

Supported• Task assistance

• Monitoring

• APIs

Managed• Console access

• Skills dependent

• Basic support

By working with a company that keeps tracks of where

technology is going – and how technology should be ap-

plied – your organization will remain at the forefront of

cloud adoption.

The properties of a managed cloud service can range

from assistance with low-level services like data logs

to using APIs for automation and data integration. The

more proactive you can be with cloud management, the

less exposed you are to problems with system updates

and security.

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Capex vs. OpexModel the cost of purchasing equipment versus ded-

icated cloud infrastructure, including Opex expensing

and tax advantages.

Data centersInclude the cost of running your own data centers

compared with cloud or co-location. Public data cen-

ters also have extensive interconnects with global

carrier networks and clouds.

Cloud technology costsEvaluate the costs of virtual servers and storage com-

pared with dedicated systems. A sub-optimal technol-

ogy choice can be expensive in the long-term.

Network and data transferTake a close look at fees for data transfer, including

those required for backups and data protection. Many

clouds charge for data transfers out, which can quick-

ly add up. Look for a cloud partner that does not have

any cost penalties between upload and download.

Ongoing managementBeyond the infrastrucutre costs is ongoing manage-

ment. Look for a cloud partner with the technology

and expertise to support your mission-critial opera-

tions. This can dramatically lower your cloud TCO.

Review the total cost of cloud and dataThe cloud quickly developed a reputation as being a low-cost alternative to in-house IT infra-

structure. For companies which depend more on IT for their core business, the cost of cloud

must be evaluated holistically. For example, wholesale adoption of a virtualized cloud can be

low-cost in the immediate term, but lead to unexpected future charges.

With a growing number of cloud options available, the

TCO of running the infrastructure requires ongoing

evaluation. Also, do not forget the opportunity cost of

cloud. If the right mix of cloud technology enables a

faster pace of development and innovation, organi-

zations can expand their product lines and increase

revenue opportunities more efficiently than what was

possible on premises.

TCO modelling must include how quickly the company

can change with its choice of infrastructure.

Optimizing cloud TCO

• Use cloud to reduce the dependence on private

data centers and similar facilities like server

rooms

• Avoid being cost penalized for basic requirements

like data transfers for backups, migrations and DR

• Ensure cost modelling includes how cloud can be

used to quickly bring new products to market and

drive innovation

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Take advantage ofengineering-level support

All organizations have a requirement for technical sup-

port, but engineering-level support goes beyond basic

triage and remediation services to helping improve

how infrastructure is used. In addition to diagnosing

and fixing problems, support engineers work with in-

house staff to optimize IaaS adoption and business re-

turn from the service.

Companies operating in different regions can also ben-

efit from having engineering-level support as close as

possible to their headquarters. This complements tra-

ditional 24 hours a day, seven days a week phone and

online support.

Another support option is with migration and on-board-

ing to the cloud. This could be from existing on-premis-

es equipment or a sub-optimal cloud architecture. Look

for a cloud provider which shares technical knowledge

and insight about the cloud adoption cycle, including

pre-sales, network and product engineering.

Cloud providers with the capability to handle complex

setup requirements, such as network configuration,

firewalling and load balancing generally have dedicat-

ed service managers who will oversee the on-boarding

process.

Optimizing cloud support

• Engineering-level support is an option that goes

well beyond basic troubleshooting

• Technical expertise with networks, server and

storage infrastructure will improve your uptime

and reliability

• Support from engineers can also help with pre-

sales, architectural and on-boarding requirements

The level and quality of support offered by different clouds ranges from self-help to fully

managed services. Companies can benefit from engineering-level support at the IaaS layer

which enables their software specialists to focus on developing and managing core applica-

tions.

Cloudtechnology

advice

Problemdiagnosis

Personal

Engineering-level support

Knowledgesharing

Migrationadvice

IaaSoptimization

Technical

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Optimizingglobal reach

• A global cloud helps your organization “go global”

without the infrastructure or management costs

• Content delivery networks (CDNs) can increase web

application responsiveness from different locations

• Data residency and protection is becoming increas-

ingly regulated. A global cloud helps manage the

changes

By their interconnected nature, cloud provid-

ers often have infrastructure in numerous lo-

cations around the globe. For customers used

to having complete control over their data,

moving to a global network can be daunting,

but there are many benefits.

To optimize the use of a global cloud network organiza-

tions need control over how the data for different appli-

cations is handled. For web content this might mean ex-

tending the data to where the customer is located, and

for financial information it might mean keeping the data

(and any backups) in one jurisdiction.

This is becoming more important with new European

Union directives coming into force in May 2018.

The GDPR laws will penalize any company found to be

liable for a breach of the private data of European cit-

izens. Knowing the value and location of the data you

keep is now a business imperative. Optimize your global

reach and data control with providers which allow you

to control the data residency of an application, including

any backups.

Going global is about being where your customers are,

and leveraging existing cloud infrastructure helps get

you there faster. Content delivery networks (CDNs) can

increase web application responsiveness from different

locations around the world and enhance web applica-

tion security.

Go global with reach and data control

Be closerto customer

locations

Datasovereignty compliance

Global cloud infrastructure

Controlbackup

locations

Access global CDN services

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Like security concerns, fear of being locked-in prevents many organizations from adopting

cloud services. Each of the three main “layers” of cloud (IaaS, PaaS and SaaS) can be devel-

oped and managed in unique ways so be sure to review the options for alternatives before

wholesale adoption of any service.

Generally, the higher up the cloud stack you go the less standards-based the service is. The ability to use a variety

of services and not be locked into any proprietary way of doing things is a desired option for IT and business lead-

ers. When it comes to choosing an IaaS cloud, look for standard systems and protocols which will not only keep you

free from lock-in but help you build a hybrid cloud platform.

Entering the cloud can be appealing and cost effective, but beware of any costs associated with

getting your data out of the cloud and into a comparable service or application.

Be standards-based and avoid lock-in

SaaS• Generally highest lock-in• Look for standards-based, portable data formats• Migration to alternatives likely to involve integration work

PaaS• Open languages and toolkits• Be aware of proprietary “stacks”• Look for standards-based deployment options

IaaS• Least amount of lock-in• Look for standards-based server and storage management• Avoid becoming too dependent on one type of infrastrucutre (VMs, Containers, etc.) to keep your options open

Optimizingcloud standards

• Cloud services can be quite

unique so be sure to review the

options before wholesale

adoption

• The higher up the cloud stack

you go, the less standards-based

the service tends to be

• Getting data into a cloud service

can be easy, but getting data out

is often difficult and expensive

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As most businesses depend on how well their applica-

tion performs, having access to high memory, compute

and I/O resources in the cloud is appealing. A combi-

nation of dedicated servers with virtual machines and

containers can provide high performance with elasticity

and flexibility.

Fewer physical machines can offer the same output as

many more virtual machines so make sure you are not

paying for cloud resources you are not using.

Consider clustering physical and virtual machines for

even greater scalability and the surety the application

can withstand high loads that will grow with demand.

Taking advantage of advanced networking features is

also a good way to optimize cloud performance and

scalability. Global points-of-presence (POPs) combined

with internet exchanges and carrier peering can signifi-

cantly reduce the latency of data being transferred from

your application to the customer.

Other options include load balancer technology to dis-

tribute high network traffic among two or more servers.

Plan for performance and scalability

Optimizingcloud performance

• When no longer in high demand, an elastic cloud

service can be scaled back to avoid unnecessary

expenditure

• Choose the right combination of physical and

virtual machines to suit the workload

• Advanced networking technology can also

optimize performance

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Among the most compelling reasons to adopt cloud is the promise of high performance and

scalability. By using cloud, your application can service customers on a scale often not pos-

sible with on-premises equipment. And when the application is no longer in high demand, a

cloud service can be scaled back to avoid unnecessary expenditure.

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A platform forinnovation anddeveloper supportTo innovate in a digital economy, companies must support software developers and any-

thing that supports their role should be welcomed by business leaders. Essential to this is a

streamlined process for moving a new product or service from development to production.

Today’s clouds can provide a platform for innovation and new product development. Technologies like container

engines, PaaS platforms, DevOps tools, and low-cost development instances are quickly becoming the foundation

of a digital economy where innovation is happening at an increasing pace.

Such a platform for innovation is unheard of in many organizations and the cloud is opening new avenues for

developer productivity. With an optimal cloud architecture an innovation program can go through a cycle of devel-

opment and testing quickly, and the foundation will be established to go into production when ready.

Testing

Development

Innovation

Staging

Production

Optimizingdeveloper support

• Cloud optimization also involves using it for

innovation and new product or service

development

• Streamline the process for moving from

development to production by leveraging the

tools offered by the cloud provider

• Adopt container engines, PaaS platforms,

DevOps tools, and low-cost development instances

for a portfolio of on-demand innovation utilities

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ConclusionRapid cloud adoption can deliver a multitude of immediate business

benefits for your organization. However, like any IT service, cloud adop-

tion can lead to unnecessary cost, risk and complexity if it is not opti-

mized for the application or process.

With cloud adoption well beyond the hype and now a mainstream delivery model, it is

important for IT and business leaders to continuously assess and manage its perfor-

mance and value.

To optimize cloud use and service delivery outcomes, IT and business can take the fol-

lowing steps on the road to more efficiency and innovation:

1. Assess servicesStart by assessing what you are already using in the cloud and step through this

guide to determine how each service or application can be improved. In the case of

security, assess how risk can be reduced. Early cloud adoption programs focused on

large migrations of on-premises workloads to virtualized clouds. These programs

are now prime candidates for review and optimization by using either dedicated

servers or fewer virtual servers.

2. Align for hybridThere are many cloud technology options available and these all present opportuni-

ties for optimization and business improvement. Use of more than one type of cloud or

on-premises technology to form a hybrid architecture is becoming a standard archi-

tecture for most modern enterprises. Investigate how the different hosting options can

be combined to give the highest level of application performance and agility in a hybrid

cloud.

3. Operate and innovateFor most organizations the cloud is the best platform for innovation and new business

development. Many companies, however, still see cloud as an option for operational

change. Use cloud to drive forward existing innovation programs and to encourage all

business units to develop new ideas quickly and at low cost.

Cloud adoption and use is an ongoing journey towards more business agility and inno-

vation. Through continuous feedback and optimization, your organization will be able to

easily take advantage of new cloud technology as it arrives.

About LeasewebLeaseweb is a global Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider

– offering customers on-demand, world-class hosting solutions to

boost their business, cut IT costs and help them reach new goals.

Committed to excellenceSince 1997, we’ve been supporting businesses across the industry

spectrum, including some of the largest, most respected enterpris-

es in the world. Through our continued focus on R&D and adoption

of the latest technologies, we are able to deliver the best service at

a great price.

That’s the commitment we made when we started.

And it’s driven our success ever since.