Understanding the Gartner perspective on Cloud (and more)
Sep 4, 2024
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Paul Delory, a Research Vice President at Gartner Inc, provides a wealth of knowledge on cloud computing. He discusses the rising concerns around cloud costs, especially as businesses seek accountability post-COVID. Delory reflects on the seismic shifts in VMware following its acquisition by Broadcom and the decisions companies face regarding virtualization. He also emphasizes the transformation toward Platform Engineering, advocating for collaboration and internal tools that boost developer productivity. Tune in for insights on navigating today's cloud landscape!
Engaging with analyst firms like Gartner can provide crucial insights that help companies navigate the complexities of technology decision-making and cloud cost evaluations.
Platform engineering is essential for enhancing developer productivity and requires organizations to adopt tailored solutions that minimize infrastructure complexities and foster collaboration.
Deep dives
The Importance of Engaging with Analysts
Companies often face significant challenges in technology decision-making, particularly regarding the evaluation of complex options. Engaging with analyst firms like Gartner can provide essential insights and guidance to navigate these challenges effectively. The process involves understanding both short-term and long-term implications of technology choices and leveraging expert opinions to clarify confusing trends and hype in the industry. This collaboration with independent analysts enables companies to make informed decisions that will impact their operations and budget profoundly.
Rationalizing Cloud Costs
Over the past decade, the economics of cloud computing have evolved, leading to complex discussions about cost-effectiveness compared to traditional data centers. While many still believe public cloud services are cheaper, misconceptions often cloud this debate, primarily centered around inappropriate comparisons and a lack of awareness regarding hidden costs of on-premise infrastructure. Analysts stress that cloud providers offer a multitude of services that cannot be directly compared to traditional IT costs, making it essential for organizations to perform comprehensive cost-benefit analyses. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of cloud economics and proper cost analysis is crucial for companies navigating their IT strategies.
Navigating VMware's Landscape
The recent changes in VMware's licensing and product offerings have caused significant concern among clients, with many exploring alternatives in the wake of price increases and shifting software bundles. While discussions often focus on finding replacements for VMware, analysts suggest that users should instead focus on modernizing their application portfolios and transitioning to cloud-native solutions or containers. This shift requires a mindset change from merely switching hypervisors to embracing a broader perspective on application development and deployment. Ultimately, clients are encouraged to minimize their reliance on VMware selectively while pursuing modernization strategies that align with their business goals.
Evolution of Platform Engineering
Platform engineering is currently at the forefront of technology discussions, though the understanding and implementation of this concept vary widely across organizations. Analysts recognize that while some companies have adopted high levels of automation and platform engineering practices, others remain in the early stages, grappling with basic automation concepts. The crux of effective platform engineering lies in creating a tailored internal software product that enhances developer productivity and abstracts infrastructure complexities. This emerging discipline seeks to transform how development teams interact with IT resources, ultimately driving businesses toward a more efficient and collaborative environment.
Paul Delory (@pacdelory, Research VP @Gartner_Inc for Technical Professionals) shares insights about cloud computing, cloud costs, VMware, Platform engineering and IaC.
Topic 1 - Welcome to the show. Before we jump into a broad set of topics today, give us a little bit about your background and what you focus on today.
Topic 2 - The hyperscalers have grown quite large over the last decade, but as we came out of COVID, many of their customers were concerned about the cost of cloud. Are we seeing a new rationalization coming around cloud costs and accountability of costs?
Topic 3 - We’ve all read the headlines regarding changes to VMware by Broadcom. Alternatives to VMware would be big decisions for many companies. As a neutral independent, how are you framing your thinking about the VMware ecosystem and the decisions being made about the future of virtualization?
Topic 4 - Over the last decade, we’ve seen so many new technologies. To get value from them, they require more cross-functional collaboration. These days we tend to call that Platform Engineering. How well do you see the evolution of people and processes being adopted, and how much more needs to happen?
Topic 5 - Behind the scenes of every transition over the past decade (Cloud, AI, Cloud-native) is the adoption of automation. This seems like a no-brainer, but actual adoption is lumpy across companies. What are some of the hard parts of automation that aren’t discussed enough?