The Road to Cloud Services: An ING Case Study

Cloud computing is the number 1 technology priority for CIOs, according to Gartner research. Gartner also predicts that the cloud market will be $150 billion by 2015.  By 2015 cloud services will make up 46 percent of net new growth in overall IT spending according to eWeek.com.


In short, cloud computing is the biggest change in the IT profession and businesses need to take cloud computing seriously.


But cloud computing brings complications:

1. Cloud movement is faster than organizations can adapt.


2. There is no standard set of terminology yet in the market place.


3. Management often thinks cloud is just about cost reduction.


4. The IT department may feel threatened with extinction.


5. Many organizations do not have adequate cloud competencies.


6. Fear, uncertainty and doubt inhibit many cloud implementation projects.

Cloud computing challenges are less about technology, and more about overcoming fear of change and misperceptions.  Don’t focus your energy solely on technical readiness and technical competence, instead focus on making sure people understand the importance of embracing the cloud.


With the advent of cloud computing, several IT roles and skills are changing and new roles are being created.  In order to fully benefit, organizations can either skill up traditional staff or hire new staff.


Suhbir Jasuja, CEO and co-founder of ITpreneurs, told EMEA attendees this week how ING moved to the cloud.  ITpreneurs develops and refines IT management and governance competence among IT professionals through its content solutions delivered through training and consulting partners.


ING had set certain objectives for its movement to the cloud:

• Transform its traditional IT department into next generation service provider,


• Achieve a best-in-class cost ratio as the technology service provider of choice,


• Reduce risk and complexity inherent in fragmented data strategy,


• Virtualize to a modern, future-proof platform,


• Move 20 percent of its applications into the cloud,


• Reduce data centers from 16 to 2, and


• Take all of its people with them on the journey.

A fundamental part of INGs transformation involved internal marketing.  Through marketing ING could raise awareness of cloud computing, benefits to individuals and the organization, and demonstrate the instrumental role employees have in making cloud computing a reality.


Workshops were run with ING management in order for them to understand the key implications and terminology surrounding cloud computing.   ING staff were trained on cloud computing and were tested on their knowledge and business simulation was provided.


ITpreneurs worked in partnership with Cisco, EMC, HP, IBM, Cloud Credentials Council, VMware, Virtual Clarity and Microsoft to deliver a cloud solution to IMG and purposefully did not lead with any one vendor but instead worked in an ecosystem.


Jasuja told attendees that they need to ask their companies: Are we ready for cloud? Cloud is coming and it’s here to stay.  Ask what is your roadmap and don’t put off the inevitable.  Start your cloud journey today.