COVID-19 has accelerated cloud adoption across industries. The cloud is changing the way every organization structures its IT and data architecture. However, several organizations are failing to exploit the full potential of the cloud because their infrastructures are unable to orchestrate the elements required to deliver network resources, computing, and storage ‘on demand’.
Organizations with high cloud maturity are running into issues such as managing cost, compliance, information security, and IT performance. With the increased use of hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures in the enterprise, workloads are being run across multiple environments, making it difficult to automate, optimize, or manage them. Thus, there is a need for visibility and control over a disparate ecosystem of applications. This is where Cloud Management Platform (CMP) comes in. A robust CMP gives organizations the ability to handle a complex and fast-changing cloud-based environment.
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Also Read: 7 factors that could compromise your cloud infrastructure; and how to solve them
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Cloud management is the process of maintaining oversight and administrative control of cloud computing products and services, whether deployed in public, private, or hybrid cloud environments. The practice of cloud management combines different software products and technologies together to provide a cohesive management strategy.
Gartner defines CMP as “Products that incorporate self-service interfaces, provision system images, enable metering and billing, and provide for some degree of workload optimization through established policies.”
Hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures are the main drivers that compel organizations to opt for a CMP. It has several benefits such as,
- Simplified & self-service IT management
- Optimal use of resources
- Cloud cost management
- More secure cloud infrastructure
- Improved performance and quality of service
- Automated management policies
CMPs have three functional layers as below:
- Layer 1: Cloud Portal and Self-Service Portal– It represents the web user interface with which the client interacts.
- Layer 2: Automated Provisioning, Orchestration, and Service Design– It represents the orchestrating, automation, workflow, and resource management functionality.
- Layer 3: Network Operations and Management Suite– It’s responsible for network management and it also integrates with existing data center operations.
Selecting a cloud management vendor for your growing cloud needs is a strategic decision that will touch every area of your IT and beyond, affecting the entire organization. There are so many factors that can influence your decision. Here are some of features you should look for in a cloud management platform:
- Simple to use
- Reduced infrastructure complexity
- Ability to manage multiple clouds
- Potential to manage and control costs
- Support cloud compliance & governance
- Automation- Set It and Forget It
- Build for the future
The cloud is an integral part of any organization’s digital transformation journey. However, the cloud is becoming more multifaceted by the day and which is why organizations of all sizes are embracing cloud management platforms as a critical component of their cloud or digital transformation strategy. Such platforms enable organizations to manage cloud applications across a multi-cloud portfolio with ease to fully realize the cost savings and agility benefits of cloud computing. By leveraging cloud management platform, organizations will be able to keep pace with their digital transformation roadmap.
