On Cloud

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn have most likely accelerated a shift to cloud for some companies. Why? Because cloud provides the agility and scalability that can help companies weather this, and other crises, more effectively.

The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged many companies to accelerate their journey to cloud. The impetus? Improved security and business continuity, as well as the scalability to handle this disruption--and the new normal it will create--more effectively.

The world is in crisis, and many businesses are too. However, with the elasticity to enable organizations to scale to need, cloud can help beat back some of that disruption by helping maintain business continuity, which--aside from keeping safe right now--is a top priority.

Intelligent automation can change the way companies automate much of the software production and management process. That's a good thing, but some companies are hesitant. However, in this new "normal" organizations should welcome tools that can help them manage disruption and stay competitive.

The current environment is unprecedented--at least in modern times, and organizations need a strategy for continuity. With its ability to scale to need, cloud can help. Also key will be rethinking operational and IT strategies in the new normal when things settle down.

Cloud adoption is growing, but one obstacle organizations face is a lack of cloud skills within their IT ranks. One solution is to build a cloud learning center to give workers the skills they need to help their companies more effectively realize the potential of the cloud.

Cloud is transforming the way business is done, but many companies are reluctant to fully automate business processes--especially where data security is a concern. To overcome that reluctance, and gain efficiency, it's crucial to implement effective cloud-governance policies.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are the future. Companies that invest in new technologies can use it as a force multiplier and reap enormous benefits, but they must retrain their manual workforce to focus on value-added activities.

There's a growing need for top talent in the cloud space and not enough people to fill it. One possible solution? Get more women into the cloud talent pool, mentor them, promote them, and help them become the next generation of great cloud leaders and innovators.

Workflow management is designed to make IT operations flow more smoothly. However, that's not always the case, as the management process often becomes the issue to manage. One solution: effective tools, along with a common language to implement the workflow management process.