Automation-First vs. Cloud-First

Most companies have long been using flexible cloud technologies to modernize their IT. Cloud offerings are now so mature that many organizations are even pursuing a cloud-first strategy.

This means that they tend to use cloud services from the outset instead of purchasing their own systems. Most business leaders and IT managers believe they are on the safe side with this strategy in their modernization efforts.

However, a closer look reveals that the move to the cloud must be well prepared so that organizations do not take outdated processes with them into the cloud - and thus negate some of the desired improvements.

Many organizations believe that once they have decided to move to the cloud, they simply have to choose a suitable cloud provider. In reality, the decision is much more complex than simply comparing prices and functions of cloud providers.

In practice, migrating data and processes to the cloud often involves a lot of manual settings. And if you take outdated processes with you to the cloud, you run the risk that the processes in the cloud will be even more complex to manage than before in your own data center.

This additional effort involved in premature migration projects to the cloud partially negates the benefits of this migration - and therefore calls into question the cloud-first approach as a whole. In order to avoid these high costs, data management must first be brought up to date.

Automation plays a key role here. At its core, an automation-first approach is about preparing for changes in the future.

A high degree of automation makes data management future-proof, more flexible and easier to manage. However, to achieve a high level of automation, an organization's senior management needs to be on board to pave the way.

A culture of automation must be actively supported, which must grow together with all employees, including IT, who are involved in the processes. This makes "automation-first" an important precursor for many companies on their way to the cloud.