Charting a private cloud implementation requires organizations to plan the entire process, starting with their expected gains. Transitioning to this system may bring several advantages with it, but it may also prove to be an ill fit for some businesses, even though it stands as a possibly preferable alternative to the public cloud option. Some of the more prominent advantages are better security and cost-effectiveness.
"One factor that must be considered is access to legacy applications—for cloud compatibility the access needs to work inside a standard web browser."
In a piece for TechTarget, Jason Sparapani highlighted the importance of clearly defining a company's private cloud goals. Before implementation begins, he wrote, organizations should verify that they have the staff, financial resources and hardware to support a conversion.
Here are a few areas to review when considering the private cloud:
- Complexity: The ideal private cloud solution will give companies the support they need while still being easy to use. Organizations that add unnecessary software for their cloud also risk making their mainframe modernization too complicated with add-ons and the need for more training.
- Legacy needs: Using a custom cloud solution, businesses may address legacy software alongside their current systems without needing to dramatically revamp their data centers. Managing a specific cloud also allows for data access on secure enterprise devices, fitting the needs for expansion as older functions adapt to new hosting environments.
- Size and structure of the organization: With automation processes, businesses can satisfy their base of users and employees, as long as they factor this and the current model of terminal access into their original planning.
Identifying a suitable mainframe emulator ahead of time may help businesses prepare for their private cloud once they've decided if it's right for them. Adjusting applications to fit in a common browser keeps a project's focus on improving performance without overburdening enterprises.