Transitioning data, applications, and IT infrastructure to the cloud is a critical step on the transformation journey. Yet to reap the full value of cloud transformation, companies need to seed a culture ripe for innovation and change, as opposed to operating from a playbook of business as usual.
Modernizing IT infrastructure, applications, and data in the cloud enables companies to iterate quickly through trial and error without the time and cost constraints of building traditional data center capabilities and IT resources. Organizations that have embraced a modernization strategy by leveraging native Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud services are seeing a wealth of business benefits, including:
- 43% increase in revenue growth
- 32% increase in data-driven insights
- 20% reduction in time to deploy new features
- 33% reduction in IT infrastructure spend
The mandate to modernize — not just migrate existing infrastructure and applications to the cloud — is starting to gain traction. The Foundry “Cloud Computing Study 2024” found that more than a third (36%) of the responding organizations’ cloud-based applications were purpose-built for the cloud, with 42% targeting that model over the next 12 months.
Proven road maps and the preponderance of cross-industry customer success stories are a sign that the time for cloud modernization is now. “There are so many great stories and examples of what good looks like,” says Jake Burns, enterprise strategist at AWS. “Before, it was a leap of faith — now, there are real proof points.”
Meeting the cloud modernization moment
As companies push forward with a cloud modernization agenda, modernization experts recommend keeping the following guidelines in mind:
Start with a clean sheet of paper. Thinking about IT infrastructure within the context of long-standing frameworks limits cloud’s business value. Instead of repeating past workflows and design patterns, double down on what you are trying to accomplish and think outside the box to accomplish those goals.
Start before you feel ready. Traditional IT operates from a well-planned playbook that takes a long view of deployment cycles. In a modern cloud world, however, agile iteration, incremental improvements, and continuous experimentation are what drive innovation and sets leaders apart. “If you wait until you feel prepared, you’ve waited too long,” Burns says. “The cloud allows you to reduce the cost of failure. The correct strategy then becomes to execute rather than figuring out the right way to do something before actually doing it.”
Don’t outsource modernization. Aligning with key partners on modernization efforts is crucial, but don’t completely shift responsibility to an external provider. Modernization simplifies systems and processes through consolidation within the cloud. Too much reliance on outsourcing also slows down project progress and leaves companies exposed, lacking critical onsite domain expertise.
AWS and its partner network offer a range of professional services, solution architect expertise, and vertical industry acumen to help organizations navigate each phase of cloud modernization. With experienced collaborators as a guide, there’s no time like the present to shift modernization into high gear.
Want more modernization tips? Check out our next article: “How can I take full advantage of cloud-native capabilities?” Or learn how AWS can help you reduce costs, gain efficiencies, and make the most of your existing investments.