Renovating IT for a move to the cloud | IT Leadership | TechRepublic.com.

Author: Lilac Schoenbeck

How would you go about remodeling a home you just purchased? Would you do this all at once, or would it be done incrementally? Most people start with one area, such as the kitchen, and then do other upgrades in stages.

Similarly, if you are seeking to “remodel” your IT operation through a move to cloud computing, you don’t have to take an all-at-once approach. The key is in knowing where to begin.

The fundamental technologies that enable cloud computing – virtualization, automation, and user portals – have been around for many years. Moving to cloud computing involves leveraging these capabilities to create a highly dynamic and flexible infrastructure.

Transitioning to the cloud

An incremental approach enables you to implement cloud computing while avoiding disruption and minimizing risk. Begin implementing cloud computing in a test environment. This gives you and your staff time to become familiar with the workings of a cloud without affecting critical systems in the data center.

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