Kamal Srinivasan, SVP of Product and Program Management at Parallels, (part of Alludo), explains how companies can overcome the shortage of skilled cloud management professionals.
The shortage of skilled IT professionals has recently become a challenge for organisations of all sizes. The widespread adoption of cloud services has meant that different skills are demanded of IT teams because managing on-premises systems needs a different skill set than handling cloud services.
In essence, IT professionals should now incorporate DevOps skills into their repertoire. However, the reality is that there are not enough IT professionals who know how to manage cloud services to meet the growing demand. This is further complicated as many experienced IT administrators are retiring, resulting in a significant shortage of IT professionals in the market.
Shortage of skilled cloud management professionals
Hiring skilled DevOps engineers and upskilling existing IT professionals seems like an obvious choice. However, this is easier said than done. Upskilling demands a significant investment of time, and engaged employees, while hiring specialised cloud management professionals is often hindered by their scarcity and high cost.
A recent survey conducted by Parallels, a sub-brand of the global technology company Alludo, delved into this issue among IT professionals. The findings revealed that the shortage of skilled cloud management professionals is indeed a pressing concern, with 62% of IT professionals identifying it as a significant barrier to growth.
For mid-size companies, this issue looms even larger, affecting a substantial 72% of them. In response to these challenges, companies are increasingly turning to hybrid cloud infrastructure.
Notably, 64% of survey respondents have already implemented a hybrid approach, and 38% plan to further embrace hybrid cloud in the next year.
How can a hybrid cloud approach help companies overcome the talent skill gap?
Companies should choose hybrid cloud solutions that are vendor-assembled and prioritise ease of use. Unlike self-assembled alternatives, which entail complexity and extensive training, vendor-assembled options offer a more accessible learning curve for IT professionals.
These solutions are specifically designed for the efficient management of workloads across on-premises, private, and public clouds. When selecting such solutions, it is crucial to prioritise those with high-level user-friendly interfaces and a centralised management system. This integration allows IT teams to seamlessly oversee all resources through a single interface. This not only simplifies the learning process but also enhances operational efficiency, enabling effective management of diverse resources without the need for extensive training programmes.
Moreover, vendor-assembled solutions often feature a robust automated management component, streamlining routine tasks and alleviating the workload for IT teams.
Ultimately, this strategic choice accelerates the onboarding or upskilling process for IT professionals, fostering a more streamlined and agile IT environment.
Additionally, companies should opt for a gradual cloud transition. Rapidly moving all workloads to the cloud is not advisable, considering that the cloud is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Certain applications, such as legacy ones, may not seamlessly transition to the cloud. According to 96% of IT professionals, access to legacy Windows and Linux applications remains a persistent need, with 49% anticipating this requirement in five years and beyond. Adopting a hybrid cloud approach allows businesses to thoughtfully plan the transition of workloads, strategically placing them where it makes the most sense.
This approach also enables organisations to build hybrid cloud teams, combining the expertise of traditional IT personnel with cloud specialists. By combining the expertise of traditional IT personnel with specialised cloud management professionals, organisations can build synergies that enhance overall capabilities. This collaborative environment promotes knowledge transfer between team members, allowing traditional IT professionals to gain valuable insights into cloud technologies and practices.
As a result, the learning curve for these professionals is smoothed, and the organisation benefits from a workforce that possesses a holistic understanding of both on-premises and cloud environments. Hence, companies can gradually transition to the cloud without requiring an abrupt and complete change in skill sets.
Embracing hybrid cloud solutions
In conclusion, as companies navigate the talent skill gap, embracing hybrid cloud solutions emerges as a strategic choice, providing IT professionals with a high degree of flexibility. Survey data highlights that 49% of respondents value this flexibility as the primary reason for adopting the hybrid cloud.
Opting for vendor-assembled solutions, facilitating a gradual transition to the cloud, and leveraging admin-friendly experiences enable organisations to bridge the gap effectively. Proactive measures are crucial, as standing still in the face of the cloud management skills gap is not an option for forward-thinking companies striving for sustained success.
