The Optimization Imperative: Managing Oracle Applications in Complex Environments

Public clouds, private clouds, hybrid clouds—this is the new face of enterprise infrastructure. The modern enterprise will be running IT and business operations in the multi-cloud environment for the foreseeable future.

This new environment requires a fresh mode of application deployment and delivery, which in turn creates new challenges and opportunities for IT. As more enterprises plan and execute on cloud migration strategies – whether making an initial move to the cloud or expanding on their current cloud footprint – they are adopting new strategies for application management that help them take full advantage of the flexibility and immediacy the cloud provides.

We recently conducted an independent survey of 300+ IT decision makers (ITDMs) to gain a deeper understanding of their most significant IT and business challenges in the cloud. One of the most powerful findings? The vast majority (94%) of those surveyed haven’t maximized their applications in the cloud. The same percentage say they have already migrated their entire suit of Oracle business applications to the cloud or are in the process of migrating, proving that there is continued widespread interest and activity when it comes to cloud migration.

Now that ITDMs have either fully migrated applications to the cloud or have initiated the migration, there is immense pressure to prove the ROI of cloud computing. However, it’s clear that IT teams face challenges in optimizing their organizations’ cloud environment and in turn, are struggling to prove its value.

MSPs Go Well Beyond “Break-Fix”

The research results reveal that modern MSPs can and do go far beyond merely helping IT departments manage the classic “break-fix” cycles. Today, they support the business holistically by resolving concerns that linger around moving Oracle business applications to the cloud.

Specifically, ITDMs indicated that an MSP would help them with the following ongoing challenges:

• Enterprise Security: Security outranks cost as the primary reason for Oracle migration hesitation. In today’s modern IT landscape, ensuring comprehensive security is more critical than ever. While operating applications in the cloud can certainly help increase security effectiveness, it also poses additional and unique threats. Therefore, enterprise-level security initiatives require significant resources, which MSPs can provide.
• Improving Cloud Consumption: Almost nine out of ten respondents indicate an MSP partnership would help them improve cloud consumption (86%). Understanding infrastructure resource usage and consumption is essential, as it determines an organization’s ability to serve their customers, innovate and lower operational costs. With an MSP, businesses can ensure the quality of IT systems and operations, helping to reduce costs and keep the team focused on strategic, high-value activities.
• Licensing & Audit Concerns: Simply put, ITDMs need more guidance around licensing and compliance. A majority of ITDMs (80%) believe an Oracle audit is likely and say having an MSP positioned alongside their organization could help with negotiating more favorable terms with Oracle (82%). This is absolutely true, as MSPs help IT departments navigate complexities of agreements, gain clarity on licenses owned and review in-use applications in advance of a renewal or audit.

As more enterprises execute on their cloud migration strategies, they will be looking for application management strategies that enable them to take full advantage of the flexibility the cloud offers. They should look no further than an MSP. The right MSP partner will be a truly invaluable aspect of the corporate structure, extending far beyond basic IT support by addressing all aspects of a technology environment, from migration to implementation, integration and optimization.

Realizing the benefits of the cloud post-migration is often easier said than done. An MSP with myriad partnerships and competencies can help clear up cloud confusion and fully address business goals and requirements, focusing on the business and not merely the solution.

Download our new research report, “Advanced Guide for Oracle Application Management: 2020 Optimization Trends and Recommendations” for actionable takeaways to help you balance new business initiatives and manage Oracle applications across SaaS, public and private cloud environments.