Business

Creating a successful cloud readiness roadmap

 

Top tips for seamless cloud migration

 

African businesses are feeling the economic pinch, and the picture looks much the same the world over as global growth forecasts slow. One of the ways businesses are winning some financial ground, is by moving to the cloud. In its latest Cloud Business Survey, PwC reports 78% of executives surveyed have adopted cloud in most or all parts of their business.

 

Dirk Ras, Solutions Architect at Dariel Software, says it’s true that moving to the cloud can result in cost savings, but not without some homework first. “The two primary gains businesses can expect by moving to the cloud are having more flexibility and saving on the costs of on-premises infrastructure and maintenance.” Yet, by some estimates, around 30% of cloud spend is wasted. Ras explains: “Companies who don’t perform an in-depth cost analysis prior to moving to the cloud can easily spend too much because costs can vary depending on usage. And with that, one of the primary driving factors of their move to the cloud could fall away. It’s vital to not only understand the cost implications of moving to the cloud but also how to use it optimally to save on costs.”

 

It’s important to do thorough research and ready your environment before moving to the cloud. Ras gives these tips to do so:

 

  1. Assess your current environment: Have a good understanding of your current infrastructure and workloads. Be sure to also look at constraints that could impact your move, such as the regulatory environment in which your organisation operates. This informs your governance framework.
  2. Determine your objectives: What do you want to achieve by moving to the cloud? This will inform the entire process, such as which workloads and applications need to be migrated, which cloud service models would be best suited, and what deployment models need to be followed.
  3. Evaluate available skills: Assess what skills your workforce has and what training needs to be done.
  4. Perform an in-depth cost analysis: Careful planning and deployment, using optimised architectures instead of what seems to work for others, can mitigate costs. Transferring large amounts of data to the cloud can be extremely costly, so make sure of these costs beforehand and what services are available to you from the provider for the move.
  5. Do your research: Compare several cloud service providers and models before choosing a package. Be sure to also look at providers’ security and data protection policies. If you store personal information, there are certain safeguards that need to be in place to comply with legislation, such as strong encryption, access controls, and regular security patches. Also, read through the service level agreement to see how they mitigate downtime – it’s rare with well-known providers, but it can happen.
  6. Create a migration strategy: Be sure to have a disaster recovery- and business continuity plan in place – not only during, but also after your move. You can implement business continuity as a baked-in solution as part of certain cloud packages, though these services all carry costs that should be factored into your planning.
  7. Test and pilot: Proof of concept is relatively inexpensive and easy when it comes to the cloud. Spinning up some resources in the cloud means clicking a few buttons or writing some code, whereas a procurement process can be a nightmare – never mind having to reverse that process if it doesn’t work. It’s worth the effort to try before you buy, by simulating your environment on a small scale to test performance and scalability. It will also help with your cost analysis.

 

And, after the move, the work is not done. “Performance monitoring and optimisation is an ongoing task after moving to cloud,” says Ras. “Businesses are not static, so it’s vital to keep assessing your cloud strategy and updating it as the business changes. Continuous rightsizing, first and foremost, is crucial to save on costs. Keep checking for new cloud native services too, which are released at an astounding rate and can be very beneficial to your business. Lastly, security is always important – there are constant new threat vectors that need to be mitigated. By staying on top of these tasks, you can reap all the benefits cloud has to offer – and save on costs in the process.”

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Economy Environment Government International Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

Nigerian Delegation Visits MTN Group Headquarters to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

post-image

 

A high-ranking delegation from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently visited the MTN Group headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. The visit highlighted the growing efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic relations between the two largest economies in Africa.

The Nigerian team was led by Rt. Hon. Wole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and included prominent figures such as Amb. Ahmed Sulu-Gambari, the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Alexander T. Ajayi; and other senior officials.

MTN Group’s top executives welcomed the delegation, including Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas; Chief of Staff (CEO’s Office), Jerry Varachia; Executive for Network Design, Amith Maharaj; Executive for Core Mergers and Acquisitions, Annemarie Krijnauw; Executive for Internal Audit, Motselisi Molapo; and Senior Manager for Strategic Public Affairs, Dominic Khumalo.

During the meeting, discussions focused on fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and South Africa. Both parties acknowledged…

Read More
Business Economy Education News

Federal Government of Nigeria Introduces 15 Skill Acquisition Courses in Primary and Junior Secondary School Curriculum

post-image

 

In a significant move to empower the future workforce and enhance the employability of students, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the integration of 15 skill acquisition courses into the curriculum of Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the country. Starting from the 2025 academic year, students will be able to select one skill to study from Primary 1 through to Junior Secondary 3 (JSS3), ensuring that by the time they complete their education, they will have both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in their chosen field.

This groundbreaking initiative is designed to address the skills gap in Nigeria by fostering a generation of students who are not only academically inclined but also possess hands-on expertise in various trades…

Read More
Announcements Business Economy Finance Fintech International

Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2024: Ushering in a New Era of Innovation in Africa

post-image

The much-anticipated Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2024 concluded with remarkable success, marking another milestone in the region’s journey to becoming a leading tech hub in Africa. Held from October 28th to November 2nd, 2024, the event brought together tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, government representatives, and innovators from across Nigeria and the globe to discuss the future of digital transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The event, which was held in the vibrant city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, served as a powerful testament to the region’s growing influence in Africa’s digital economy. Hanson Johnson, Founder and CEO of Start Innovation Hub, one of the central organizations driving this transformation, expressed his pride and excitement as he reflected on the event’s success.

In his address,…

Read More
Announcements Business Featured News Opinion Technology Trends Telecoms

The Hidden Roadblocks to Nigeria’s Digital Revolution

post-image

In the heart of Nigeria’s bustling cities and its quiet rural communities, an invisible challenge is quietly stalling the nation’s journey toward a digital future. While vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure are often cited as the primary culprits behind poor connectivity, an even more insidious issue is threatening to derail progress: denial of access to telecom facilities.

This growing crisis took center stage at the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop Series, held in Abuja and organized by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser. Among the speakers was Dr. Aminu Maida, a leading figure in the telecom sector, who painted a sobering picture of a nation held back by bureaucratic hurdles, community resistance, and property disputes.

“In 2023 alone, we recorded over 20,000 cases of site access denial,” Dr. Maida revealed. “Each of these represents a barrier to connecting…

Read More
Business Economy

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani Advocates Strengthened Local Government Capacity through #Project774

post-image

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has reiterated the critical role of Local Government autonomy in advancing grassroots governance and fostering digital inclusion. Speaking on the ongoing implementation of #Project774, he emphasized the project’s pivotal role in delivering the dividends of governance directly to citizens at the last mile.

“With the introduction of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria, it is imperative that we strengthen the capacity of our LGA structures through initiatives like #Project774, ensuring that governance is both impactful and inclusive,” Dr. Tijani remarked.

As part of this transformative initiative, Dr. Tijani recently hosted a strategic brainstorming session with state government representatives. The event brought together commissioners, agency heads, advisers, and local government chairmen from seven states—Sokoto, Borno, Ogun, Kogi, Imo, Zamfara, and Kwara—participating in the project’s first phase.

“The discussions were focused on ensuring the efficient use of…

Read More
Business Economy Environment Government Security Society Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

President Tinubu Strengthens ICT Sector with Landmark Protection Order

post-image

 

The federal government has taken a decisive step toward securing Nigeria’s digital economy with the release of the *Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024*. The gazette, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was lauded by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as a transformative move to safeguard the nation’s technological assets and infrastructure.

Dr. Tijani emphasized the order’s pivotal role in reducing disruptions and intentional damage to critical ICT systems and infrastructure. “This is a significant step that will strengthen and protect investments in the ICT sector by reducing incidences capable of damaging the operations and functionality of our technological systems, infrastructure, and networks,” he stated.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also commended the initiative, describing it as a critical milestone for the telecom sector. The Commission highlighted that the order would help mitigate recurring…

Read More
Autos Business Culture Economy

Igboland: A Rising Powerhouse in Car Manufacturing

post-image

 

Igboland is steadily carving out a reputation as a hub for automotive innovation in West Africa, driven by the vision and determination of local entrepreneurs. With the presence of three car manufacturing and assembly companies—Innoson Motors, Roxettes Cars, and the emerging Omaa Motors—the region is becoming a focal point for Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

Innoson Motors, based in Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State, stands out as a beacon of indigenous innovation. Founded with a vision to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on foreign imports, Innoson has achieved remarkable success by producing 80% of its vehicle components locally. This achievement reflects not only a deep understanding of local market needs but also a commitment to creating jobs and fostering economic growth within the region. Over the years, Innoson has become synonymous with quality and resilience, inspiring a new generation of African manufacturers.

In neighboring Abia State, Roxettes Cars,…

Read More
Business News

Faith Cathedral International Ministries Celebrates a Spirit-Filled Conclusion to Men Convention 2024

post-image

 

On Sunday, November 17th, 2024, Faith Cathedral International Ministries in Egbeda, Lagos, held a moving Thanksgiving service to mark the conclusion of its week-long Men Convention 2024. The event, which brought together men from all walks of life within the church and the surrounding community, was a profound expression of faith, unity, and service to God.

The weeklong convention, which began with a series of spiritual activities and outreach programs, culminated in a powerful Thanksgiving service that resonated with the theme of steadfastness and spiritual responsibility. With the church’s auditorium filled with attendees, the air was thick with gratitude, as the congregation reflected on the transformative messages shared during the week.

Pastor Fred Obetoh, the church’s General Overseer, took to the stage to address the men of the congregation with a heartfelt sermon. In his message, Pastor Fred encouraged the men to remain unwavering in their faith despite the materialistic pressures…

Read More