To the Cloud : Cloud Powering an Enterprise

This invaluable guide addresses the Why, What, and How of enterprise cloud adoption, leveraging a clear framework and proven best practices from Microsoft's own experience.

“Great book. What’s particularly impressive is the outline of steps Microsoft itself is taking in its move to the cloud. Do as I do is always more powerful than do as I say.”―Al Ries, Coauthor, War in the Boardroom

“This book takes on enterprise cloud adoption to a level I’ve not seen before―made even more elegant with its structured framework and crisp approach.” ―Anthony D. Christie, CMO, Level 3 Communications, Former CTO/CIO, Global Crossing

“A practical and timely guide that covers the entire journey to the cloud from an enterprise perspective, including business, technology, and organizational impact.”―Bart Luijten, CIO Corporate Functions & Corporate Technology, Philips

“The cloud powers business solutions for building tomorrow’s enterprise and this book offers a simple, well-structured, and high-level process map for cloud adoption.”―Kris Gopalakrishnan, Executive Co-Chairman, Infosys Limited

Cloud computing is full of tremendous opportunity, but is also riddled with hype and confusion. Business and technology leaders know the cloud is essential, but lack clarity and experience. To the Cloud cuts through the noise and addresses the Why, What, and How of enterprise cloud adoption. The book lays out a four-step framework leveraging the experience and best practices of Microsoft's own IT group. It provides end-to-end business and technology guidance, including how to analyze application portfolios to identify good cloud candidates, choose the right cloud models, consider architecture and security, and understand how shifting operations to the cloud affects budgeting and staffing.

The book is applicable to all cloud platforms and providers, and debunks myths in its clear and concise style (e.g., real clouds are more than just web hosting, virtualization, or the Internet itself rebranded). It takes a balanced approach, addressing concerns and hybrid adoption scenarios alike. Leveraging the authors' proven expertise working for Microsoft's CIO on cloud migration and with cloud platform development teams, the book is supported by clear frameworks, graphics, tables, summaries, and checklists to provide a true practitioner’s guide to the cloud.

In this book, you will learn how to

• Explore cloud computing to understand its promise and challenges
• Envision how cloud computing can transform your organization
• Enable your organization with the necessary resources and skills
• Execute the design, development, and operation of cloud workloads

To the Cloud is an essential guide for IT professionals seeking to lower total cost of ownership, improve the return on IT investment of existing services, or help the business bring new products to market more quickly.

Pankaj Arora is a Senior Manager in the Microsoft IT Global Strategic Initiatives team. A thought leader on cloud computing, he has been integral in developing the enterprise business case for Microsoft IT, defining the internal cloud adoption strategy, and partnering with the Windows Azure team on platform readiness and competitive analysis. Pankaj was the technical lead for the first migration of a Microsoft IT application to Azure, and he also launched an initiative to move critical assets to the cloud.

Raj Biyani is the Managing Director for Microsoft IT (India) and the Global Strategic Initiatives organization. Microsoft IT (India) is Microsoft’s largest IT operation outside of corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Raj has demonstrated an ability to see opportunities early and generate executive support for initiatives to capitalize on those opportunities. Prior to joining Microsoft IT, he led the envisioning and successful creation of the Windows Marketplace, an electronic software delivery platform for Microsoft.

Salil Dave is a Senior Director in the Microsoft IT Global Strategic Initiatives team. In his 25-year career, he has covered a range of industries and roles, including a decade at Microsoft, 6 years at supply chain software pioneer i2 Technologies, and 5 years at the Indian Revenue Service. Salil has a BTech from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and an MPA from Harvard University.