Open Data Center Alliance Offers Solutions to Common Integration Challenges between Cloud and Legacy IT Investments

New whitepaper addresses challenges, proposes practical solutions for managing hybrid cloud and on-premise computing environments

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Open Data Center Alliance (ODCA)

Oct 06, 2015, 10:00 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Open Data Center Alliance (ODCA) today published a whitepaper to address the challenges companies face when adopting cloud-based computing as a complement to existing IT infrastructure investments.

ODCA and its global network of members are developing and deploying enterprise cloud usage models, solutions and services that are interoperable, secure and free of vendor lock-in.

In the paper, titled "Cloud Coexistence with Extant Enterprise Systems," ODCA and top member companies outline approaches for integrating cloud deployments within an organization's existing management and control systems. Download a copy of the whitepaper. You can Register for free webinar on November 10, 2015 at 1:00 ET by visiting https://www.brighttalk.com/channel/9831

"Most companies must strike a balance between cloud-based deployments and the infrastructure, applications and processes investments of the past and present," said George Goodman, executive director of ODCA. "Managing of the integration between the two is critical to long-term IT and operational success. The practical approach outlined by ODCA members will allow companies to utilize the best aspects of both models."

Cloud and Enterprise IT - Hybrid Model

Increases in cloud-based deployments have not caused companies to "rip and replace" on-premise IT systems hosted on private cloud or dedicated infrastructure. Business and IT leaders are understandably reluctant to retire this considerable, legacy investment in technology, people, and processes due to security, risk, and regulatory compliance obligations. This creates a hybrid IT deployment model: an on-premise landscape of existing or legacy systems, an off-premise cloud deployment of suitable IT capability.

When Cloud and Enterprise IT Collide

It is important to consider existing enterprise management and control systems, business strategy, or operating models when deploying new cloud services. When cloud services and legacy systems are at odds, common coexistence challenges include:

Misaligned enterprise architecture;
Lack of data, service, and process integration;
Inconsistent operational disciplines for incident, problem, and change management;
Ineffective governance and compliance; and
Incompatible security architecture and models.

Practical Solutions from ODCA and Top, Global Enterprises

The ODCA believes that integration of cloud deployments with enterprise landscapes should consider people, process, technology, and operating models. Doing so encourages faster cloud adoption, leverages existing enterprise investments in IT landscape and helps govern safe cloud adoption through effective risk and compliance management.

Register for Free ODCA Webinar – November 10, 2015

The Open Data Center Alliance will host a free webinar on Tuesday, November 10 at 1:00 EST/5:00 GMT.

Hear from Ryan Skipp, co-chair of ODCA Business Work Group for ODCA, system architect for T-Systems and whitepaper co-author, as he shares cross-industry perspectives on the importance of Cloud and Enterprise Coexistence.

Webinar Topic: Coexistence: Cloud Deployments & Enterprise Systems
Date/Time: November 10, 2015 at 1:00 ET
How to Register: https://www.brighttalk.com/channel/9831

About The Open Data Center Alliance

The Open Data Center Alliance^SM is an independent IT consortium comprised of global IT leaders who have come together to provide a unified customer vision for long-term data center requirements. The organization is led by a 15-member steering group, which includes representatives from BMW, Capgemini, CenturyLink, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom/T-Systems, Infosys, Intel, National Australia Bank (NAB), NTT Data, SAP, The Coca-Cola Company, UBS, and Verizon. More information about ODCA publications and membership can be found at the organization's website at www.opendatacenteralliance.org.

Engage ODCA and its community of IT leaders on:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/opendatacenter
Twitter - @opendatacenter
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/open-data-center-alliance

CONTACT: David Fontaine, 678-696-1301, [email protected]

SOURCE Open Data Center Alliance (ODCA)