Workload-First Strategy for Hybrid IT Deployment

This technical report examines the evolving landscape of cloud strategy, emphasizing that the decision-making process has shifted from platform selection to workload placement. It outlines four key forces influencing enterprise infrastructure decisions: changes in VMware licensing, increased scrutiny of public cloud costs, the specific requirements of AI workloads, and the heightened expectations for cyber resilience. The report advocates for a workload-first placement strategy, which considers the unique profiles of applications, databases, and platforms to determine their optimal environments—on-premises, private cloud, or public cloud. It discusses the importance of data-driven assessments to inform decisions about which workloads to retain, migrate, or modernize. Additionally, it highlights the economic implications of dedicated infrastructure and the operational relief provided by managed services. The report concludes with a call for organizations to leverage data analytics to guide their workload placement decisions effectively, ensuring that each workload is positioned for optimal performance and cost efficiency.