Developing the right cloud strategy for SMEs and enterprises

In a rapidly evolving digital world, companies are faced with the challenge of making their IT infrastructure flexible, secure and cost-efficient. The cloud offers immense opportunities here – but how can you use it properly?

A well-thought-out cloud strategy is the key to maximising the benefits of the cloud while minimising potential risks. But what does that mean for your company in concrete terms?

Imagine your business is growing faster than expected. Your existing IT systems are reaching their limits: servers are overloaded, new software is difficult to integrate and your IT teams are wasting valuable time on maintenance. This is exactly where a well-planned cloud strategy comes in. It shows you how to make the most of the cloud to:

• Scale resources flexibly
• Introduce innovative technologies faster
• Ensure the security of your data

A cloud strategy is the overall plan that a company develops to effectively use cloud technologies. It sets out how and why the company should use cloud services to support its business goals.

A comprehensive strategy also considers which cloud models (public, private or hybrid) and service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) best suit the specific requirements of the company. It is based on long-term business goals such as scalability, cost efficiency and innovation.

In addition, a sound cloud strategy must answer the following key questions: What role does the cloud play in the company? Does it primarily serve as a business enabler or as IT infrastructure?

Which cloud provider should be used? Hyperscalers such as AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure and GCP (Google Cloud Platform), or smaller, specialised providers (StackIT, DigitalOcean, Vultr)? Another important aspect is the efficient provision of cloud services to internal teams in order to maximise their flexibility.

Effective cost management across departmental boundaries is also essential to ensure transparent and efficient resource utilisation.

Nowadays, virtually no company can do without cloud services. However, those that operate without a clear cloud strategy are taking certain risks.

A lack of a structured plan can quickly lead to frustration among employees if, for example, cloud services cannot be used at all or only under uncertain legal conditions. There is also a risk that the company will assume liability risks that are normally covered by the cloud provider, such as securing the IT infrastructure or access to data centres.

Another frequently underestimated aspect is the cost: cloud services are not automatically cheaper than operating your own data centre. Without a well-thought-out strategy, unplanned costs can arise. As a result, the cost-benefit ratio suffers if the potential of the cloud is not fully exploited.

A solid strategy is therefore crucial to minimise these risks and leverage the cloud as a true business enabler. It ensures that both technical and legal frameworks are clarified, cost transparency prevails and all benefits can be exploited. You should start development with these six basic steps:

Choosing the right cloud model is a critical step on the path to the cloud. Public, private and hybrid clouds offer different advantages in terms of cost, security and flexibility.

The option that best suits your business depends on your specific requirements. Would you prefer cost-effective, ready-to-use resources, or do you need maximum control over your data? Learn more about the differences and how to make the right decision now.

Cloud services can be divided into three main categories: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. Each of these service models offers different levels of control and management.

From infrastructure to the finished software solution – there is a suitable model for every requirement:

It is important to note that the ‘vertical range’ of the cloud services offered varies. German and European providers in particular often only offer infrastructure (IaaS) and platform services (PaaS), while large international cloud providers such as Microsoft also offer software solutions as a service (SaaS), such as Dynamics 365, thanks to their market strength and experience.

In addition, there are independent SaaS providers that offer their customers multiple infrastructure options. Customers can then decide for themselves whether they want to run the respective software product with a large cloud provider or a German cloud service provider.

A combination of these methods often makes sense and is frequently used in practice. For example, certain data and applications that are particularly sensitive can be hosted in a sovereign cloud or by a German cloud provider, while less critical applications or scalable resources can run in the public cloud of a large provider.

Security is one of the most important factors when it comes to the cloud. Without the right measures in place, sensitive data can be compromised, which can have significant legal and business consequences. But with the right security precautions in place in cloud security – from encryption to identity management – this risk can be minimised.

How can you enforce security standards, and what are the most important compliance requirements? Find out now which protective measures are crucial for your cloud strategy.

When using cloud technologies, it is generally advisable to conclude a data processing agreement with the respective cloud provider, even if no processing of personal data is currently planned.Such contracts are often a formal matter and are provided by cloud providers in automated processes. Nevertheless, it is important to conclude them in order to secure the legal framework.

A crucial point when it comes to cloud security and data protection is the shared responsibility model, which is implemented differently by different cloud providers.

This requires special security measures that vary depending on the type of solution. Cloud-native architectures in particular have specific requirements that differ from traditional architectures.

A general comparison with conventional software development is insufficient here, as cloud-specific features must be taken into account. To minimise risks, various security mechanisms should be implemented:

In addition, those responsible must ensure that they comply with industry-specific compliance requirements such as the GDPR or PCI DSS. This also includes regularly conducting audits and monitoring data sovereignty – especially with regard to the location of data centres.

The cloud provider should also be able to provide the necessary security certificates to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Overall, careful implementation of security standards and compliance with compliance requirements are essential for using the cloud securely and efficiently.

The transition to the cloud is a complex task that requires careful planning. Whether lift-and-shift or complete redevelopment, there are various migration strategies that vary depending on your individual requirements.

How can you minimise downtime during the transition phase and ensure seamless operation? We present some methods and best practices to help you make the switch to the cloud as smooth as possible:

Many decision-makers are often unaware that cloud costs cannot be calculated precisely, but only estimated. This means that the actual costs can vary depending on usage and other factors. The reason for this is the pay-per-use principle. The great strength of the cloud lies in the fact that there is no need to commit to long-term capacities for several years; instead, resource usage remains flexible.

It is precisely this flexibility that needs to be developed into a strength. By identifying and exploiting seasonal patterns in business, the platform can be made elastic and optimally adapted to requirements.

An Excel tool alone is not sufficient to deal with this complex cost scenario. A correctly configured billing console with a well-designed dashboard is essential. Alternatively, specialised third-party tools such as Apptio can be used to provide deeper insight into cloud cost mechanisms and efficiently control usage. With these additional tools and strategies, you can keep your cloud costs under control and manage them effectively:

The cloud enables companies to scale IT resources as needed and offers unprecedented flexibility. Whether you need to respond quickly to market changes or cushion seasonal demand spikes, the cloud makes it possible. Learn why scalability plays a critical role and how you can benefit from this flexibility.

The importance of scalability in the cloud:

A key advantage of the cloud over a local IT infrastructure (‘on premises’) is the shared use of resources, both from an economic and environmental perspective. In the cloud, IT resources can be scaled flexibly – both up and down. The latter is particularly difficult in a traditional data centre, especially if it is not designed according to the principles of a (private) cloud.

In such cases, servers often continue to run even when they are not needed. In a public cloud, on the other hand, other users can utilise the free capacity when I do not need it. However, this requires a software architecture that is specifically designed for this purpose, as is the case with cloud-native architecture.

Adapting the infrastructure to business requirements:

To enable efficient scaling up or down in the cloud, the reasons for doing so must be considered. These can be triggered by a growing or shrinking number of internal and external employees, as well as changes in the number of end users.

Such fluctuations can be seasonal or unpredictable. To be able to respond flexibly, it is crucial that the software architecture is designed for use in the cloud.

Without clear rules and processes, cloud usage can quickly become confusing. Cloud governance defines how resources are managed, monitored and controlled to ensure efficient usage.

Cloud governance structures can be set up at different hierarchical levels within an organisation. It is important that they are lean and efficient. These structures can be organised, for example, as a Community of Practice (CoP), Centre of Excellence (CoE) or as a permanent team in a matrix organisation.

From a technical perspective, so-called landing zones are used here. Landing zones create a basic technical structure in the cloud that integrates governance and security from the outset. They provide standardised environments that meet both security specifications and compliance requirements and secure operations in the cloud.

Landing zones ensure that essential governance aspects and security measures (e.g. access controls, network and identity management) are defined and enforced before deployment. This reduces risks, accelerates cloud adoption and provides a solid foundation for all cloud activities.

The most suitable structure depends on the size and complexity of the organisation and the specific cloud use cases.

With the right tools, cloud resources can be monitored and security policies enforced in a targeted manner:

• Dashboards and monitoring tools: Cloud providers offer tools to monitor the performance, costs and security of cloud resources in real time. This allows problems to be identified and resolved at an early stage
• Automated policies: Tools such as AWS Lambda or Azure Policy enable companies to automatically enforce compliance with defined policies for cloud resources.

Suitable tooling that automates cost control is essential, even if it still requires people who understand the subject matter and ultimately make the decisions.

Although the cloud offers many advantages, there are some challenges that should not be ignored.

From security risks and compliance issues to performance bottlenecks, these can quickly become problems without the right measures in place. However, with a clear strategy, these challenges can be overcome.

Identify potential stumbling blocks early on and successfully avoid them:

When it comes to risk management in the cloud, the following principle applies: absolute security is never possible. Instead, it is a matter of weighing up how much should be invested in mitigating certain risks.

However, with a sound cloud strategy, you can future-proof your IT infrastructure while minimising the risks associated with cloud use.

A well-thought-out cloud strategy is key to harnessing the many benefits of the cloud for your business. It ensures that your IT infrastructure is not only more efficient, but also more flexible, cost-effective and future-proof.

However, the path to the cloud requires clear planning and careful consideration of the various options, starting with the selection of the appropriate cloud model and ending with the implementation of the right cloud service solutions, such as IaaS, PaaS or SaaS.

It is important to analyse exactly what your business goals are and how the cloud can help you achieve them. The choice between public, private and hybrid cloud depends on the specific requirements of your company – whether it is flexibility, cost control or data security. A clear strategy for migrating existing systems and continuous monitoring and adjustment of cloud usage are crucial to ensuring the performance and efficiency of your IT.

Security aspects play a central role in any cloud strategy. From encrypting sensitive data to complying with compliance requirements, without the right measures in place, cloud usage can quickly become a risk. Effective cost management is equally crucial to ensure that you actually realise the promised cost efficiency of the cloud.

The result of any successful cloud strategy should be the flexible scaling of IT resources and the dynamic adaptation of the infrastructure to the growing requirements of your company. Clear governance structures and constant monitoring of your cloud resources also ensure that your cloud solutions can be used efficiently and securely.