Running a business today is vastly different than it was even just a decade ago. Leaders must cope with far more complexity at all levels and across functions.
This change is the result of huge investment in digital technologies and services, the vast majority of which run in the cloud.
Cloud, by its very nature, is a dynamic patchwork of system interdependencies and connections. On the one hand, the model has made us smarter and more productive, and on the other, it has increased potential risks and points of failure.
Hybrid cloud – now the preferred environment, often combined with multi-cloud – streamlines many of the complexities. Instead of having to manage individual system components, IT leaders get quick access to a blend of tools and capabilities to work at a business service level rather than down in the so-called weeds of technology.
However, the diverse nature of hybrid cloud environments makes it challenging to track and manage all elements – even at the abstracted management layer. With different technologies, vendors, access points, and control levels, neglecting monitoring can have consequences. If you stop paying close attention to who’s using what, where, and when, you could end up paying a heavy price.
According to IDC, IT planners are under pressure to bring a sharper focus to cost management. They are using common measures to curb costs including dropping under-utilised IaaS resources, optimising their consumption, and eliminating duplicate resources and SaaS functionality.