The fragile idea called technology
“ Technology is a word that describes something that doesn’t work yet.”
— Douglas Adams. An inspiring quote, that got me thinking about the ‘progressive’ IT-landscape of today. When technology was exactly where we wanted it to be, we wouldn’t be talking about it this much. I like to question things that seem logical at first, and like to have an effect over just being right. This blog is the first of a series — in which I will share some of my thoughts and controversial ideas on transitioning to cloud, starting off naively.
The fuzzy essence of cloud
Shall we kick-off with a question? Who knows what ‘cloud’ actually means? In a world in which cloud is heard so often, we should be able to find some agreement on that. Besides the obvious computing and service delivery models, the cloud also refers to a new way of working and new architectures e.g. Agile, DevOps, SRE and event-driven microservices architecture, streaming and machine learning. We call this “cloud native”.
Let’s put this in perspective. We at Incentro know that digital transformation is essential. Digital transformation means that your industry and business are undergoing a technologically driven change. A change in the way of solving tasks and fulfilling its purpose. For digital transformation, we can identify three prime motivations. The first is the direct technological impact on your business processes. Second: the rising expectations of your customers: They are being wowed on other platforms, raising the bar to heights where you can’t reach right now. Smart startups and innovative platforms are setting the standards of tomorrow. Thirdly, your competition can directly disrupt markets by using new technologies, creating pure magic, rendering your approach obsolete, overnight. As you might conclude yourselves: change is inevitable, growth is optional.
The relation between cloud and digital transformation is a cause-and-effect relationship. At the same time cloud is an enabler and accelerator for digital transformation, your biggest asset to reach higher. Cloud is about leaning in, instead of fear of change and hiding behind processes that have worked in the past.
Care for fragile ideas
As long as technology is still a subject that is constantly emerging, improving, and evolving, then ‘cloud’ and ‘digital transformation’ could just be seen as fragile ideas. Don’t get me wrong. They are not just trendy buzzwords that will blow over; they are here to stay and shouldn’t be ignored. These are ideas that are worth protecting.
The innovation of today will be the standard of tomorrow. We know digital transformation and cloud are instrumental for driving real and magical progress. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. Therefore, we should embrace change and dare to do things differently. Only in this way, cloud will become truly powerful and eventually become part of the DNA of your organization.
Thus for breakthrough, you need real change. No matter how clear your strategy is on ‘cloud’ and ‘digital transformation’… If the right ideas aren’t created and protected, your intended shift will fail. With the rapid development of emerging technologies, we will need a lot of fresh thinking. Not a bit of refresh, but to truly think about things differently — for a change. There can be some business value in migrating to cloud computing with a careful lift-and-shift migration, but to really drive your rate of innovation, creative ideas and the courage to change are crucial.
“If you dislike change, you’re going to dislike irrelevance even more.”
— Gen Shinseki
Stay in the loop! Next blog, I will dive into fostering the engineering culture and the sustained innovation, we believe digital transformation needs.
Need some help by modernizing your IT? Get in contact with Incentro.
