Cloud Transition Planning

Cloud Computing has rapidly emerged as a new computing paradigm that arrays massive numbers of computers in centralized and distributed data centers to deliver web-based applications, application platforms, and services via a utility model (i.e., fee or charge per use).

IEC recognized early on the significant impact Cloud Computing would have on how the government and private industry procures, implements, and manages its IT investments. 

With its early recognition of Cloud Computing's Importance IEC's internal technology and pilot implementation studies, along with prototype client projects,are used to determine best paths to success for customers.  It is noteworthy that IEC follows the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and has proven tools and approaches for requirements analysis, system design, system development, testing, implementation, and the overall management of the entire system development lifecycle. Tailored implementation and use of these tools and approaches allows IEC to effectively plan and manage resources and ensure the timely and cost-effective achievement of client priorities and deliverables.

IEC focuses on properly identifying and establishing the critical factors involved in transforming a classic in-house IT environment to a Cloud Computing-based environment. Five critical dimensions are involved in this transformation process: policy and governance, economics, technology, security and privacy, and organization impact. Individually, each element is important; collectively, the elements are the essential focus areas of the transition from contemporary data center/IT baselines and environments to the cloud. Cloud Computing is not a disruptive technology. It is a major factor in organizational and business/ technology process transformation.

This model has proven itself consistently effective. The Cloud Computing transition methodology has two main phases: Cloud Strategy and Planning and Cloud Deployment.  Although many cloud providers proclaim moving existing applications to the cloud is seamless and does not require code' changes, experience has shown that more analysis and re-engineering may be required to achieve the full benefits of a Cloud Computing environment.  Complexities remain that must be considered when moving to the cloud, and careful planning is essential.

IEC's pilot application testing spanned a range of providers' offerings in infrastructure, platform, and software-as-a service areas (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS respectively). This testing ensured the firm used actual requirements in planning and transitioning a range of applications. The process helped IEC refine paradigms for subordinate methodologies to support the transition, development, deployment, and successful operation of diverse applications and systems.