The transition to cloud computing is reshaping how organizations deliver applications. According to Rhys Powell, Senior Black Belt at Red Hat, maintaining flexibility is essential for IT leaders amidst rapid technological changes. During a recent CIO webcast series, Powell emphasized the critical need for agility in the face of recent disruptions, such as virtualization license changes and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
Powell noted that this year has witnessed significant shifts in the IT landscape. “You don’t get tectonic shifts in IT very often, but this year we’ve had two,” he stated. As organizations navigate these changes, many are reevaluating their dependence on single cloud providers and seeking to fortify their infrastructure against potential disruptions.
Embracing Multi-Cloud Strategies
To mitigate the risks of overreliance on a single hyperscaler, an increasing number of businesses are adopting multi-cloud strategies. Research firm Gartner predicts that this trend will continue to grow. Powell advocates for the adoption of managed services like OpenShift, which enables organizations to deploy applications across various cloud platforms. This approach enhances flexibility, allowing companies to position their applications exactly where they are needed.
With OpenShift, organizations can operate without the burden of infrastructure complexities. “This gives them the flexibility to be able to react in a far more timely manner,” Powell explained. By deploying applications simultaneously in multiple environments, businesses can respond more effectively to industry shifts.
Focusing on Application Delivery
OpenShift’s site reliability engineers manage the underlying infrastructure, freeing development teams to concentrate on application development. This shift in focus accelerates delivery and enhances productivity. “This means that you and your teams are focused 100% on getting that application out the door in front of your customers, the people that actually earn your organization money,” Powell added.
By prioritizing application delivery over infrastructure management, organizations can ensure they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. The ability to adapt quickly is becoming a crucial factor for success, especially as businesses face ongoing changes in technology and consumer demands.
For those interested in exploring these insights further, the full CIO webcast series is available for viewing online.
