For companies that discovered the flexibility, cost savings, and work-from-anywhere convenience of cloud technology during the pandemic, further cloud adoption has become a priority. But while many executives see the benefits of cloud computing, there may still be concerns.

Addressing the most common and pressing concerns about cloud adoption can help you get better buy-in, allowing you to avoid complicating the technical difficulties of a successful migration with a lack of consensus. These three areas of concern, when addressed prior to cloud adoption, can help build confidence in the process:

Decoding Cloud Costs: Once you’ve addressed cost concerns with your chief financial officer (CFO), you’ll probably end up with an advocate for cloud adoption. Cloud computing keeps more cash on hand and spending becomes more predictable. Whereas companies previously saw major capital investments in software implementation, plus more investment in hardware as devices needed replacements, these costs are all included in the monthly subscription fees.

The monthly subscription can be categorized as an operating expense. The invoice will include costs for data storage, data transfer, and cloud computing resources. It is important to look for a solution that uses compute resources and then releases them when idle. Otherwise you won’t gain the full benefit of cloud computing.

Data storage and transfer are also part of the total cost of your cloud solution. Prioritize efficient data storage and watch for application design that improves efficiency at a lower cost.

Training: Your existing data center model probably demanded a team that handled security, connectivity, data governance, and application performance. A cloud adoption strategy will demand a new set of skills. The easiest approach is to prioritize communications and training.

You’ll need to consider how the transition will impact your team and their roles and whether they will even exist once you’ve transitioned to a cloud environment. Cloud-specific upskilling will help your team understand how a cloud architecture works and how to align it with cloud best practices. Cloud training can help create a culture that anticipates and embraces continued career growth focused on an increasingly cloud-focused work setting. Taking these steps improves engagement with your cloud transition and builds loyalty, reducing the possibility of turnover.

App Modernization: Your organization will want to take a strategic and planned approach to cloud adoption, but there is always an awareness that the clock is ticking. If you are relying on legacy apps, they will need to be shifted to the cloud or they will become obsolete.

Many companies find that a hybrid approach is the perfect fit. It allows you to take advantage of cloud-only services through cloud-native apps while migrating existing apps through a lift-and-shift method. The hybrid approach allows for careful consideration around which applications to place in the cloud.

It’s important to note that while lift-and-shift can seem like the simplest approach, it is also the most costly and can limit performance and efficiency. A hybrid approach allows the IT team to weigh the benefits of cloud computing and where each workload will perform best and run most efficiently.

Any cloud adoption strategy will include some obstacles, but by addressing these concerns with stakeholders early in the process, you can plan for a more seamless transition. Contact us at S2 Solutions to learn more about how to take a holistic approach to your digital transformation plans.