Avoid These Pitfalls: 3 Critical Cloud Adoption Mistakes

Cloud adoption is no longer a question for many businesses. With promises of agility, scalability, and innovation, the cloud offers a path to modernisation that seems almost irresistible.

But are you truly prepared to navigate this complex journey? Many organisations dive headfirst into cloud adoption, only to stumble into common pitfalls that derail their progress and inflate costs. Could your business be one of them? Let’s uncover the three common cloud adoption mistakes you must avoid to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success!

Underestimating the Complexity of Migration

One of the most pervasive mistakes companies make when adopting cloud technology is underestimating the complexity of migration. Moving to the cloud is not just a matter of lifting and shifting applications and data; it involves a comprehensive evaluation of existing systems, understanding interdependencies, and ensuring compatibility with the new cloud environment. Many organisations, eager to take advantage of cloud benefits, rush into migration without a clear strategy or a thorough assessment of their IT landscape.

A successful migration, therefore, requires a phased approach, involving rigorous testing and validation at each stage. This is where well-defined strategies, such as IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and IT Service Management (ITSM) principles can make a significant difference. These frameworks help align IT services with business needs, ensuring each step of the migration process is meticulously planned and executed. Moreover, adopting IT Operations Management (ITOM) practices can provide real-time insights into the performance and availability of IT services, allowing for proactive issue resolution!

Consider the case of Amcor, a global leader in consumer packaging, which encountered significant challenges when consolidating its legacy ERP systems into the cloud after acquiring another company. Amcor’s integration of SAP HANA and other critical business applications into a cloud environment required meticulous planning to ensure seamless connectivity between legacy systems and the new platform. By working closely with Orange Business, Amcor managed to enhance its operational agility while overcoming compatibility issues and minimising the risk of system downtime. This example highlights how complex and deeply integrated legacy systems can complicate cloud migration efforts!

Security and Compliance Oversights

The second critical mistake organisations often make is neglecting security and compliance considerations during cloud adoption. The cloud introduces a different set of security challenges that require careful planning and robust governance. Companies that fail to adapt their security strategies to the cloud environment expose themselves to risks such as data breaches, cyber extortion, and regulatory non-compliance.

Orange Business highlights that cyber extortion incidents have surged by 77% in the past year, with both large enterprises and small businesses being targeted, with the most impacted sector globally being manufacturing.  This increase in attacks underscores the importance of having a mature cybersecurity strategy that includes regular updates and rigorous monitoring. A common pitfall for this instance is assuming that the cloud provider is solely responsible for security when cloud security is a shared responsibility. Thus, organisations must boost their own security measures, such as through encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring.

Furthermore, compliance with regulatory standards is non-negotiable. Failure to comply with industry-specific regulations can result in hefty fines and damage to the organisation’s reputation. The dynamic nature of the cloud, with its rapid deployment capabilities and scalability, can make maintaining compliance challenging. Therefore, companies need to establish clear governance frameworks that incorporate compliance requirements into their cloud strategy from the outset.

Ineffective Cost Management Strategies

The third pitfall in cloud adoption revolves around cost management. Many organisations are attracted to the cloud by the promise of cost savings but often find themselves facing unexpected expenses. Ineffective cost management strategies can quickly turn cloud adoption from a cost-saving initiative into a financial burden.

One of the main reasons for escalating costs is the failure to understand the pricing models of cloud services. Cloud providers offer a range of pricing options, including pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and spot pricing. Hence, without a clear understanding of how these models work, organisations may end up over-provisioning resources or failing to take advantage of discounts, leading to inflated bills.

Additionally, a lack of visibility of cloud usage and spending can aggravate cost management issues. Consolidating data from various IT monitoring tools into a single dashboard is crucial to providing a unified view of cloud expenses, enabling more effective cost control. ITSM and ITOM solutions can help track usage patterns and identify opportunities for optimisation, such as rightsizing resources and eliminating underutilised services.

How Orange Can Help Overcome These Challenges

Orange Business offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help organisations navigate the complexities of cloud adoption and avoid these common pitfalls. With expertise in ITSM and ITOM, Orange can assist in creating a structured migration plan that minimises disruptions and ensures a smooth transition to the cloud. In addition, Orange’s advanced AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) platform provides proactive insights that enable organisations to anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate.

When it comes to security, Orange Cyberdefense provides a multi-layered approach that includes threat intelligence, vulnerability management, and incident response. By partnering with Orange, organisations gain access to cutting-edge technologies and a team of experts dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity maturity and compliance. This collaborative effort ensures that businesses are well-equipped to defend against emerging threats and comply with regulatory standards.

For cost management, Orange offers tools and services that provide greater visibility and control over cloud spending. Their solutions enable organisations to monitor usage in real time, optimise resource allocation, and implement cost-saving measures. By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can achieve the desired cost efficiencies without compromising performance or security!

Charting a Clear Path to Cloud Success

The path to successful cloud adoption is fraught with challenges, but it doesn’t have to be a minefield. By recognising and addressing the common pitfalls of underestimating migration complexity, overlooking security and compliance, and mishandling costs, your organisation can fully capitalise on the benefits of the cloud. Remember, it’s not just about adopting the cloud – it’s about doing it right! With the support of Orange Business, your business can stay ahead of the curve, turning potential obstacles into opportunities for growth innovation!