Companies are faced with a range of critical decisions regarding their IT infrastructure. These crossroads come in the wake of considerable investment in hardware, software and applications that have served them well over the years, particularly with regard to IBM Power Systems 6, 7 and 8.
Many of these systems are now end-of-service, posing security risks and proving costly and inconvenient to operate. They may no longer meet requirements as businesses grow and their operational needs evolve.
Understanding the Limitations of End-of-Life (EOL) Systems
Important questions now arise: Can ageing equipment keep pace with the increasing operational demands of a data-driven business? Is the technology currently in place reliable, secure, sufficiently up to date, and capable of handling more pressing and complex needs?
Are IT managers confident that systems can recover quickly from disruption or downtime caused by infiltration or an operational malfunction? In short, is it a wise business decision to continue running end-of-life (EOL) systems?
With performance issues, growing cybersecurity threats and declining reliability, now is the time to invest the necessary resources to transition away from EOL systems. Simplify the move from ageing infrastructure and gain the security, efficiency and lifecycle management benefits of migrating to state-of-the-art cloud-based services.
Embracing Cloud Strategies for Enhanced Operations
The cloud offers a modern alternative, and a well-planned cloud strategy can deliver measurable improvements over maintaining a patchwork of legacy systems and EOL equipment.
This is especially true for IBM Power Systems. Rather than struggle to maintain an outdated EOL environment and the associated risks, cloud computing offers a new, efficient way of managing complex IT operations.
Partnering with an experienced cloud services provider, such as CloudFirst, can make the process seamless, less cumbersome and highly cost-effective. Let’s look at why opting for cloud migration represents a major digital step forward for your business.
The Benefits of Migrating IBM Power Systems to the Cloud
First and foremost, since systems run on the cloud provider’s infrastructure, you no longer have to manage, oversee or maintain servers. Cloud-hosted systems are fully scalable.
As your business grows and your needs change, so too do your offsite workload capabilities.
You can focus on the applications you rely on daily, paying only for the resources you need. When your workload demands additional capacity, your cloud provider can scale up quickly and seamlessly to accommodate it.
Another major benefit of migrating IBM Power Systems to the cloud is a dramatic reduction in local data centre costs. There’s no longer any need for tape backups — with ezVault and ezVTL backup options from CloudFirst, disaster recovery is included with every hosted system.
And if you require a more robust solution with faster recovery times, several fully managed High Availability options are available. Your workloads are safer, more secure and accessible whenever you need them.
Additional advantages of transitioning from EOL systems to the cloud include lower personnel and consultancy costs, as you’ll need fewer staff onsite to monitor your IBM Power Systems. Those employees can instead focus on their core responsibilities within the business. Migrating workloads to the cloud also supports today’s remote working environment.
With more employees working from home, providing secure access is simpler than ever — all that’s required is an internet connection. There’s no need to maintain an MPLS spoke-and-hub network, Ethernet or other dedicated lines for connectivity.
Shifting from Capital Expenditure to Operating Expenditure with Cloud Services
Cloud services also enable companies to shift costs from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operating expenditure (OpEx), and there’s no sales tax on cloud services. You no longer need to negotiate with vendors or invest in expensive new equipment when it’s time for an upgrade — your systems are hosted offsite with your cloud services provider.
When maintenance is required, running business applications in the cloud makes everything easier. Your services provider handles all hardware maintenance, keeps systems running optimally and ensures they remain up to date. During hardware upgrades, the provider can switch partitions to another machine to maintain business continuity.
Before making the decision to transition off EOL systems, it’s essential to do your research. Seek an experienced cloud services provider with a proven track record of guiding organisations of all sizes and complexities from EOL systems to the cloud. The provider should explain the benefits of migrating, outline a clear step-by-step process and work with you throughout the transition.
CloudFirst: Your Trusted Partner in IT Infrastructure Modernisation
Speak with a CloudFirst representative for expert guidance. They can provide further details about the importance of IT modernisation and the benefits of transitioning from end-of-life systems to the cloud.
CloudFirst will walk you through the process and demonstrate how partnering with an experienced cloud services provider can make a lasting difference to your business — today and in the years ahead.