As multi-cloud is fast becoming the key digital infrastructure for many, I want to discuss the potential pitfalls in this trend.

Multi-cloud could turn into multi-silos because data is not connected

Many organizations underestimate the complexity of maintaining and developing a multi-cloud environment. Now, there is a chance to make that work. But CIOs need to step up and take charge of the responsibility for cloud transformation as well as the multi-cloud platform.

Cloud is the engine now – the engine of business. The amount of data and new applications is growing exponentially, and that is why the CIO needs to take responsibility for creating a fast and nimble platform connecting the data sources to enable the organization to utilize the data to get valuable insights. The CIO should be the third CxO in the top leadership troika together with the CFO and CEO.

In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges for CIOs is to deliver a true multi-cloud environment that allows seamless computing and data traffic as well as the opportunity to move workloads and data from one cloud platform to another. However, the journey towards multi-cloud environments is complicated and has many risks for creating silos of unconnected data rather than multi-cloud environments.

Adding the importance of the network in this environment, and there is a new layer of complexity. Also, we see digital transformation evolve in systemic areas where downtime isn’t allowed, like healthcare and manufacturing in general.

Multi-cloud is an ecosystem game in which digital trust is a must

To adopt the best technologies and tools to create a new digital business, organizations must seek partnerships and apply a new operating model to accelerate application development and increase automation.

The CxO troika needs to prioritize digital trust.

Multi-cloud is opening your digital infrastructure to other stakeholders – not only vendors but all partners in collaboration. There are risks that need to be managed for the digital infrastructure to become a success. Managing data and digital risk is an essential part of the trust needed for multi-cloud.

I see the linkage of sustainability also in the digital trust discussion. Among the Finnish and Swedish respondents, 42% were taking the environmental impact such as energy consumption or CO2 emission into account when implementing their cloud strategy. However, only 36% of Norwegian respondents answered yes to the same question.

The request from our cloud customers is about energy consumption as well as lifecycle management of hardware. We of course take that seriously. If we as service providers don’t, we will not be invited to the conversation at all. My personal view is that sustainability will become a given – like security.

Feel free to get in contact if you want to discuss further.

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