Author: Matthew Miller

Brief Overview

• Many businesses are experiencing increasing cloud expenses, leading some to revert to on-premise solutions.
• Regulations surrounding cloud services are more intricate than anticipated.
• Initial assessments of cloud health can uncover immediate savings of 20-30%.
• Optimization across various areas is crucial for fully realizing cloud advantages.
• Successful cloud management necessitates cooperation between IT and business leaders.
• Creating a definitive service inventory using business terminology is essential.

Escalating Costs and Governance Issues

The promise of the cloud offered Australian companies lower costs, streamlined operations, and reduced risks. Yet, many organizations are struggling with surging costs, prompting some to shift workloads back to on-premises. Managing cloud services has proven to be more complex than initially thought, further complicated by the challenge of acquiring the right talent for cloud management.

Spotting Immediate Savings

As per Luke Matthews, Brennan’s Head of Cloud, initial evaluations of public cloud health frequently reveal immediate savings ranging from 20 to 30%. These savings are vital, particularly in the context of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Matthews encourages organizations to look for optimization opportunities across diverse areas to ensure their cloud environment is secure and cost-efficient.

Beyond Just Technical Aspects

Matthews emphasizes that tackling cloud management issues is not strictly a technical endeavor. It demands technology leaders to collaborate with organizational leaders to understand their unique challenges and the opportunities they aim for. This collaboration enables better alignment of cloud strategies with business goals.

Reframing the Risk Dialogue

Conversations regarding cloud risks should go beyond discussing threats and vulnerabilities to cover the financial and operational repercussions of data loss and service disruptions. CIOs and CISOs must translate these risks into business language, emphasizing issues such as revenue loss, opportunity costs, and customer interaction.

The Journey to Effective Cloud Management

The pathway to optimizing cloud ROI starts with developing a clear inventory of services articulated in business terms rather than technical jargon. This strategy aids CIOs and CISOs in their discussions with other business leaders. Collaborating with a technology partner that emphasizes customer viewpoints is key to creating robust governance and maintaining business operations.

Conclusion

Strategic cloud management is crucial for Australian businesses aiming to enhance their ROI. By recognizing immediate savings, fostering collaboration across organizational tiers, and redefining risk conversations, companies can optimize their cloud settings for both financial efficiency and security. Creating clear service inventories and working alongside technology partners focused on customer needs are essential steps in this journey.

Q&A Session

Q: What is the main factor contributing to rising cloud costs for businesses?

A: Numerous businesses encounter increasing cloud expenses due to intricate governance challenges and the growing difficulty of effectively managing cloud resources.

Q: How can businesses uncover immediate cost savings in their cloud infrastructure?

A: Performing a public cloud health assessment can often uncover 20-30% immediate savings by optimizing services across various sectors.

Q: Why is it vital to express cloud risks in business terms?

A: Communicating cloud risks in business language helps align cloud strategies with organizational objectives, concentrating on factors such as revenue loss and customer relationships.

Q: What function do technology partners serve in cloud management?

A: Technology partners concentrating on customer perspectives are essential for creating effective governance, addressing cost management, and ensuring business resilience.