3 Ways Organizations Need to Adapt to Survive the Cloud Systems Era

Cloud systems are more prevalent — and more complex — than ever before. According to one recent study, 96% of all businesses are now using some form of cloud-based technology. From cloud hosting on platforms like AWS and Google Cloud to API tools and SaaS-based user authentication services like Auth0, companies are more reliant than ever on third-party cloud systems. And for good reason: these tools can enable new levels of efficiency, cost savings, and productivity across every part of a business. However, they also pose new challenges when it comes to building and managing a team optimized for the cloud era. To make the most of these new services, cloud customers must adapt their hiring practices and organizational structures in several key ways.

Integrated Expertise

First, the hiring strategies in place for traditional development teams are often not optimized for a cloud-centric organization. In the past, individual systems could be managed by individual personnel or teams, and those teams would for the most part only need expertise specific to those systems. But today, companies have begun to rely on an increasing number of highly integrated cloud services, meaning that developers who only have skills and experience with a single tool or system will struggle to effectively manage the web of applications that comprise the modern tech stack.

To overcome this challenge, companies have begun to hire people who have experience not only with supporting the specific subsystems that are currently in use, but also more broadly with managing complex, integrated cloud systems. Of course, these roles can be hard to define, and qualified candidates even harder to recruit. Effectively building a team that is set up for success in the cloud era requires rethinking job descriptions, potentially re-training HR teams, and allocating budget to attract these highly sought-after cloud experts.

Integrated Teams

Secondly, even with the best, most experienced development team, traditional organizational structures will also need some serious rework in order to support a business built on modern cloud infrastructure. If disconnected teams are working in parallel on separate subsystems of an integrated stack, it can lead to avoid duplicated effort, uncoordinated development work, and other personnel issues as teams potentially step on each other’s toes and get in each other’s way.

In order to more effectively manage an integrated, interconnected cloud system, teams and departments must also become integrated. That will likely require some restructuring as a business transitions from a traditional, more siloed approach. As more and more intertwined cloud services are incorporated into every aspect of the business, it will be vital to encourage a collaborative, cross-functional mentality, in which employees at every level are invited to communicate openly, work together with other parts of the business, and suggest areas for organizational improvement.

Cloud Management Tools

Finally, once you’ve sourced the right talent and built a collaborative, integrated organizational structure, it’s time to consider investing in a third-party tool to support the management of your complex, interconnected cloud systems. Even in the best of circumstances, these systems can be incredibly complicated and error-prone. Without proper oversight, small mistakes in system configuration and management have the potential to wreak havoc across the business. That’s why many companies are turning to a third-party cloud management service, making it possible to outsource some of these management challenges and let internal resources focus on the core business.

The people are the most important part of any company. Through careful investment into building the right kinds of expertise and interdepartmental structures, you will be set up for success as you build out your cloud-based tech stack. But you don’t have to do it all on your own. To get the most out of your team and your cloud services, a third-party management tool like CloudTruth can be a highly effective supplement to your internal resources, enabling you to move into the cloud era with confidence.

To learn more about how CloudTruth can help you and your team stay on top of your cloud configurations, check out our website at cloudtruth.com.