Hybrid IT crucial for digital transformation
Hybrid IT is the pervasive IT infrastructure model for organisations in Asia Pacific, including Japan (APJ), according to new research from CenturyLink, as a vast majority are taking transformative steps to match workloads to their best execution venue across a blend of in-house and third-party services. According to the CenturyLink Asia Pacific Hybrid IT Readiness Report 2016, 73% of organisations are aware of the hybrid IT deployment model, and 75% of them already outsource at least one or more data center, network, security or applications services to third-party managed service providers.
In addition, 84% of organisations cite security as the key driver to consider managed service providers. The report also found that service delivery improvements involving data centers (63%) and network (52%) are key drivers for executives to outsource IT services.
According to Gery Messer, managing director, Asia Pacific, CenturyLink, today's increasingly complex IT environments demand heightened expertise and management capabilities to ensure continual improvements in service delivery to customers. "Digital disruption is changing the way we approach business today globally," Messer says.
"In particular, IT departments are experiencing tremendous change as organisations turn IT into a driving force for all aspects of the business, including the customer experience," he explains.
"As more organisations turn to a blend of in-house and third-party IT services, it is important for leaders to address concerns on security," says Messer.
"They need to carefully assess their technology partners to ensure that security capabilities are well embedded in all of their offerings – managed hosting, managed services, network solutions, colocation and cloud," he says.
"Only then will they be able to help IT transform into a secure hub for innovation." Messer says a hybrid IT model requires strategic alignment between internal and external IT professionals to match business applications to their best execution venue.
This approach to rapidly provision IT services while enabling risk mitigation is appealing to security-conscious executives, he says.
The survey found other concerns in transitioning to the hybrid IT model include senior management reluctance for 44% of organisations and migration or consolidation issues for 38% of organisations. Ajay Sunder, vice president - Telecoms, Frost - Sullivan Asia Pacific, says as industries continue to transform, paradigm shift is inevitable.
"The transformation journey from traditional IT to hybrid IT becomes the new normal for enterprises across Asia Pacific," Sunder says.
"This is a result of organisational priorities as they keep up with business growth momentum. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy.
"As technology diversifies at a rapid space, IT leaders should focus on what will work best for the organisation. They will require technology partners that can provide services that will give them greater visibility and control while enabling them to transform their business in this digital economy," he explains.
