By Rich Ptak
IBM recently provided us an in-depth review of their response to the explosion of enterprise interest in cloud, especially multi-cloud as the best model for IT operations. Sure, Amazon currently has the overwhelming cloud presence, but that’s in a segment dominated by consumers. IBM (and other serious contenders) are targeting the enterprise business. And, that is where a very big opportunity lies. IBM’s goal is to be the #1 supplier of the Enterprise Cloud.
IBM reported an estimated hybrid cloud spend of $1.0T by 2020 with Linux as the #1 app platform as the projected opportunity of what they are calling “the second chapter of cloud” or Cloud 2. The fact is that some 80% of existing enterprise workloads are potential targets for migration to the cloud. Beyond that are copious amounts of new cloud native applications. IBM is convinced that contributing to faster Cloud 2 implementations built with on a fully open architecture will lead them to be the #1 Cloud provider and help clients to drive growth and unlock vast amounts of business value.
IBM plans to deliver a unique solution and services set consisting of a multi-mode, multi-architecture, multi-cloud platform with a complete solution stack (including management and security) to speed their customers’ enterprise cloud transformation. See Figure 1.
Today, most enterprises use multiple different cloud environments; therefore, IBM will support connection and interactions (e.g. security, management, services, etc.) with the existing popular cloud platforms, e.g. AWS, et al. All IBM products will be offered as enterprise-grade services. We provide an overview of IBM’s plans.
The BIG picture
Transformation is the term currently used to cover just
about any offering by any vendor pursuing enterprise IT business. To IBM, transformation
represents a metaphorical journey to the cloud. It can begin at any stage of
enterprise cloud maturity from pre-cloud requirements analysis
(analysis/planning) to full multi-cloud operations evolution, including governance /optimization /
automation/AI,
etc. IBM addresses every step. TThe five principles that underlie IBM’s solution design and implementation are:
- Hybrid – to address and be compatible with new and existing enterprise IT operating environments public, private and traditional IT.
- Multi-cloud – be heterogeneous by design and able to securely leverage and manage other vendors’ clouds.
- Open – continue IBM’s deep commitment to open computing, flexibility and reduced risk of “vendor lock-in”; the offerings are “open by design”.
- Secure – with open, extensive access, operational security is critical; therefore reliable, continuous security is essential.
- Management – provide a solution stack enabling consistent, secure management and orchestration of services, operations support, event logging and delivery across all manner of cloud environments.
All to be accessible via the IBM
Cloud Platform on multiple hardware architectures, suitable for enterprise and
hyperscale workloads. See Figure 2 for an architectural view.
Architecture and reality -- paths to the cloud
Great principles, but enterprises want and need more than tool
sets and capabilities, however powerful and well-integrated. There exist multiple
starting points on the path to cloud. Some need help in optimizing operations
in complicated, existing multi-cloud environments. Or, applying new
technologies such as AI (Augmented Intelligence) or Quantum Computing while
managing infrastructure costs. Other enterprises need basic help just to get
started. Others need to identify and understand their options to advance from
where they are today. Support and guidance needs vary. They can be in the form
of support services, on-line try before you buy, or detailed processes that
help define the path to take to the cloud.
IBM delivers accordingly by offering implementation choices that map to multiple entry points to provide an end-to-end solution. The major paths can involve migration (traditional “lift & shift” of apps and services), modernization (update DevOps tools and processes (introduce containers, microservices, etc.), innovation (create cloud native apps) and manage (integrate and automate operations and management to multi-cloud environments).
Enterprise environments and tasks vary. There exists no “cookie-cutter” solution for enterprise migration to the cloud. Most will need help, not simply in negotiating the path, but even more fundamentally in selecting the right path.
Capitalizing on expertise acquired working across 20 industries with 100K+ client migrations, IBM offers five entry-point practice areas to support clients wherever they happen to be in their journey to the cloud. These are:
1.
Advise on cloud – services and processes to
identify and define requirements.
2.
Build for cloud – identify where and for what
services, etc. cloud makes sense.
3.
Move to cloud – plan for moving environment,
apps and services to cloud.
4.
Manage on cloud – management of the multi-cloud,
mixed, etc. IT environment.
5.
Govern & Optimize – analyze, review and
revise cloud operations, architecture, processes, etc. to best meet enterprise
needs.
IBM provided client testimonials and case study examples of
their successes in helping customers to faster migrations, as well as service
improvements at lower cost in cloud migration.
It is
important to understand that IBM is not simply offering a toolkit or simple point
solutions. They have taken an end-to-end approach to deliver comprehensive
solutions proven through successful application in usage cases with real
clients. These include migrating existing on-premise workloads to more
efficient cloud based (see Figure 3) environments. It includes speeding the
introduction and successful application of technologies (Machine Learning) with
multi-cloud access to AI tools that collect, organize and analyze data of every
type from anywhere. Then, allow secure, transparent enterprise-wide (and
beyond) access to results. See more here[1].
© 2018 IBM Corporation
Figure 3 App & Service Migration
and Modernization
|
IBM allows clients significant
access to services and tools that determine what needs to be done to move
forward on the journey to Cloud 2. The options range from full consulting from
IBM Cloud Services to on-line access to technologies and services that help the
client identify how these can benefit your operations. Some free, others at
relatively low cost. You can find out more here[2].
Summing it all up
There was much more in IBM’s presentation.
Areas worth looking into include the consulting services provided by IBM Cloud Services,
IBM Cloud Private services, data and storage services leveraging AI and ML, the
details on how IBM assures “security to the core”, multi-cloud integration and
management, etc.
Based on what we heard at and
saw, IBM has a well thought out, clearly articulated strategy and plan. But
then, their competition for the enterprise cloud also have plans. The battle
for market share will be fierce.
There has been some recent criticism on the lack of interesting announcements from IBM - we believe that the details and very credible customer case studies in this announcement refute such assertions. To be perfectly clear, IBM's activities, support/consulting services and new products for enterprises pursuing a journey to the Cloud 2 environment are well worth investigating.
There has been some recent criticism on the lack of interesting announcements from IBM - we believe that the details and very credible customer case studies in this announcement refute such assertions. To be perfectly clear, IBM's activities, support/consulting services and new products for enterprises pursuing a journey to the Cloud 2 environment are well worth investigating.
IBM allows clients to educate
themselves in more general terms about the cloud and its applications in the
enterprise. Especially striking was the depth and breadth of expertise made
available to clients to help them research and assess cloud capabilities at
relatively little or no cost. This is especially helpful for potential
customers that have limited in-house expertise.
IBM stands out in that they provide
comparatively easy access to significant, powerful and very interesting
technologies in the IBM cloud. And, acknowledging the multi-vendor,
heterogeneous cloud environment they provide an extraordinary amount of shared
access and capabilities among clouds. They support true open access with both technological
contributions and by facilitating meaningful access through user-friendly APIs and
interfaces to third-party resources.
IBM brings a depth and breadth of
experience with live client installations that competitors lack. They also have
a complete, integrated and well-tested stack that has no equivalent in the
market.
In addition, IBM deliverables are
sufficiently broad and flexible enough to amount to a near-customized solution
for any individual enterprise. Clients can determine how much or how little
they want to attempt on their own. The battle will be interesting.
We recommend you do further research
into IBM offerings yourself and decide whether they are the right partner on
your path to Cloud 2.
[1]
This is a great starting point: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/
[2]
Investigate what can be done here: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/garage/cloud-private-experiences/