Have you ever struggled with controlling and governing complex systems, with ever-changing management tools? Some parts of running an organization that relies on cloud environments can be really difficult. It’s becoming increasingly hard to manage new, complex environments with all their moving pieces. Azure Arc is a game changer for hybrid cloud. It delivers a multi-cloud and on-premises management platform. In this article, we’ll be going over the details of Azure Arc, how it works, and how it can help you. Keep reading to learn what Azure Arc is, the benefits of using it, and more resources to get you started.
What is Azure Arc
As previously mentioned, Azure Arc is a multi-cloud and on-premises management platform that consistently delivers high performance. It helps to consolidate all your data and systems into Azure Manager. Some key features that Azure Arc includes are implementing inventory, management, governance, and security across all servers as well as managing Kubernetes structures at a scale. It can also manage virtual machines and more as if they were running in Azure. As well as this, it supports servers running anywhere, on-premises and in any cloud. This can include Windows, Linux, and more. To learn more about the benefits of these key features and more, keep reading.
Azure Arc control plane diagram provided by Microsoft https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-arc/overview
Benefits
There are many benefits that demonstrate how Azure Arc is a game changer for hybrid cloud; however, in this article we’ll only cover a few of them.
One of the biggest upsides to using Azure Arc is that all resources associated/registered with Azure Arc send data to the main, cloud-based Azure Manager. This consolidates the information in a succinct and useful manner. Enterprises can guarantee compliance of resources registered with Azure Arc no matter where they are deployed. This leads to quick problem solving, and less time lost.
Azure Arc can also be used to take care of the smallest to most complex maintenance operations across all forms of the cloud. For example, it can help to manage security and governance and on the other hand, it can also manage updating the operating systems for your servers, a tedious task.
Customers also benefit from all the aforementioned key features of Azure. They can manage resources within or outside of Azure through one consolidated control plane.
To grasp the full extent of the power that Azure Arc provides, take a look at the resources in the next section. Learn the full list of benefits, how to take the next steps with Azure Arc, and some background information on Azure in general.
Resources
If you or your organization want to learn more about Azure Arc, check out the Azure Arc blog for recent updates and what they entail.
For more details about Azure Arc and how it might look as a part of your enterprise, this page from Microsoft Azure outlines the key features of Azure Arc and their uses in real world scenarios.
Interested in getting started on your Azure Arc journey and want to see how Azure Arc is a game changer for hybrid cloud? Look at this page that helps identify which Azure Arc plan works best for you.
Finally, for more background on Azure as a whole, check out some other articles from the Optimus Information blog such as the 5 benefits of cloud migration using Azure SQL or our common cloud adoption missteps series, the first of which is linked here.
Need help creating a cloud adoption roadmap? Reach out to us at info@optimusinfo.com for a complimentary assessment.
https://www.optimusinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/azure-arc-1.png315600Malika Agarwalhttps://www.optimusinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/optimusinfologo.pngMalika Agarwal2021-10-15 09:27:122021-10-15 12:09:11Why Azure Arc is a Game Changer for Hybrid Cloud
Welcome back to the final part of our 3-part Cloud Adoption Missteps series where we will be going over some of the errors and mistakes that take place during the governance and organization stages of the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure. The first two parts of the series gave insight into earlier steps in the framework process, what they entail, and common cloud adoption missteps that can arise. To read an overview of what the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure is and some of the antipatterns that take place during the first 2 stages of the framework, click here. If you would like to check out the second part of the series, “Common Cloud Adoption Missteps Part 2: Adoption and Management Stages”, you can read it here.
The conclusion of the Cloud Adoption Missteps series will cover antipatterns in the governance and organization stages. We will share what goes on during these steps, common antipatterns, and some strategies to mitigate the antipatterns that may arise.
Governance Stage
Taking organizations to the cloud is a complex yet highly rewarding process as we’ve clearly outlined in the past. However, it’s important to note that constant cloud governance must take place to create a strong cloud governance foundation. To learn some of the governance methodologies for the cloud, read this guide from Microsoft.
There are 3 main antipatterns that take place during this stage in the Cloud Adoption Framework: misunderstanding responsibility, straying too far from the compliance framework requirements, and using custom compliance.
Misaligned Shared Responsibilities
Though the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure is well-defined and clearly laid out, it can still be difficult to recognize where your organization’s responsibilities end and your cloud service provider’s (CSP) begins. Oftentimes that line gets blurred and that’s when the problems begin. Whether it’s security concerns or non-compliant servers, it’s important to address those issues right away.
By building a “readiness plan”, you and your CSP can find that middle ground that works for everyone. A readiness plan focuses on capturing concerns, identifying gaps, and partnering with other teams to overcome this hurdle. For a more detailed look into what a readiness plan entails, check out Microsoft’s guide here.
Inaccurate Security Assumptions
It’s easy to assume that the move to the cloud is automatically a security upgrade, and that’s not necessarily wrong; however, it’s not a great idea to assume that out-of-the-box solutions provide security. Focusing on adhering to the compliance standards for Azure and using Azure portal ensures more stable security. Learn more about the Azure Security Centre here.
Custom Compliance or Governance Frameworks
The third and final antipattern that takes place during the governance stage is the use of a custom compliance or governance framework. Integrating these custom frameworks is very time consuming, especially when translating them to cloud settings. This will significantly slow down the cloud adoption process. Instead, rely on existing frameworks while making that transition to the cloud. It allows for ease, simplicity, and measurability of security settings. After making that transition is a good time to look at custom frameworks.
Organization Stage
The final stage in the Azure Cloud Adoption Framework is the organization stage. It looks at managing and organizing people (teams), structure, and the roles each person plays. Oftentimes, customers face cloud adoption missteps during the organizational stage due to a variety of aspects. The antipatterns that we will cover are 4 of the biggest missteps that often take place: utilizing IT as a cost centre, platform developing without approval, outsourcing core business functions, and hiring technical decision makers rather than cloud engineers. For more information on the organization stage in the cloud adoption framework, check out this overview by Microsoft.
Treating IT as a Cost Centre
When organizations or employees start to see IT as a cost centre rather than an enabler, pushing growth and success, there is reduced motivation in the long run. IT feels discouraged and along with that, management feels as though IT is slow and inefficient.
Rather than viewing IT as a cost centre, try and see it as an enabler. By viewing IT as an agent with operating expenses, transparency, accountability, and optimization as are all maximized.
Investing in New Technology Without Involving the Business
Different departments all have separate functions to focus on. So it’s easy to forget that there are other business units that could be affected by even the smallest decisions. For example, if IT fails to consider business units while making design and structural decisions, it can lead to platforms that aren’t optimized or properly functioning for the business units. This leads to frustration and poor/ineffective adoption of the new platforms.
Instead, involve business units in the decision-making process. This eliminates the risk that those teams will not be able to implement or adopt new platforms. It takes into account the preferences and needs of the business units and creates a more cohesive platform that works for everyone.
Outsourcing Core Business Functions
When running an organization, it’s easy to get caught up in outsourcing business functions to managed service providers (MSPs) and consulting partners. These partnerships can give way to a lot of exciting possibilities. However, it’s crucial to make sure that your company doesn’t become dependent on providers.
Keep critical design areas within your company, regarding subjects like risk, compliance, identity, and government. This ensures that your organization won’t become dependent on external providers, and instead will use them to speed up other important business processes.
Hiring Technical Decision Makers
Finally, the last cloud adoption misstep that we are focusing on in this series is the choice between hiring technical decision makers (TDMs) versus investing in cloud adoption engineers. TDMs are often a great way to get your cloud adoption framework up and running. However, a successful cloud adoption journey needs people with deep technical knowledge such as cloud engineers.
Because cloud engineers are crucial for creating successful landing zones and cloud automations, they can help you realize the true potential of cloud adoption and the benefits that it brings. TDMs can always be brought in for decision-making later in the process, but cloud engineers are the ones with rich engineering knowledge.
Conclusion
This article was the final part of a three-part series focusing on common cloud adoption missteps while using the Azure Cloud Adoption Framework. We hope that you gained a detailed overview of the many stages of the cloud adoption process and what they entail. As well as this, we hope that you are now aware of the antipatterns and cloud adoption missteps that can be easily remedied.
Many organizations find it beneficial to work with a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) when undergoing cloud adoption. Read our article on the benefits of using a CSP.
If you’re interested in having Optimus as your CSP, you can reach us at: info@optimusinfo.com
