The "Goldilocks Zone" of Cloud Computing: Finding the Perfect Fit

Remember Goldilocks and the Three Bears?? She tried different porridge bowls, chairs, and beds until she found the one that was "just right."???

That's the challenge facing businesses today when it comes to cloud computing. It's not just about jumping on the "cloud-first" bandwagon or squeezing every penny with FinOps. It's about finding the "Goldilocks Zone" – the perfect fit for your workloads.

Too Hot: The Overheated Cloud

Like porridge that's too hot, some workloads simply aren't suited for the public cloud. Maybe they have strict security or compliance requirements, demand ultra-low latency, or involve massive datasets that are expensive to move. Forcing these workloads into the cloud can lead to:

• Scalding Costs: Unexpected egress fees, data transfer charges, and ballooning monthly bills.
• Performance Burns: Latency issues, slowdowns, and frustrated users.
• Compliance Headaches: Difficulty meeting regulatory requirements and potential security breaches.

So consider for a moment, what workloads are best suited for a Primate Cloud.? I recently read an article over on OpenMetal.IO which speaks of these four benefits of private cloud:

1. Improved Security
2. Complete Control
3. Legal Compliance
4. Cost Control

I could write entire articles (and maybe I will) about each of these - but for now, they are a great starting point in the decision making process of the best estate for your workload.

Too Cold: The Frozen Data Center

On the other hand, clinging to an entirely on-premises infrastructure can be like sleeping in a bed that's too cold. You might miss out on the agility and scalability of the cloud, limiting your ability to:

• Innovate Quickly: Deploy new applications and services rapidly.???
• Scale on Demand: Respond to changing business needs and market conditions.???
• Reduce Upfront Costs: Avoid large capital expenditures on hardware and infrastructure.

McKinsey & Company provided us an excellent article last summer defining cloud computing and how to use it to reduce cost and create value.? This is an excellent resource for those workloads that are best placed in the cloud.

Just Right: The "Fit for Purpose" Approach

The "Goldilocks Zone" of cloud computing lies in a balanced approach. It's about choosing the right "bowl" for each workload, considering factors like:

• Workload Requirements: Performance needs, security sensitivity, data gravity, and compliance mandates.
• Cost Efficiency: Optimizing spending without sacrificing performance or security.
• Technical Expertise: Aligning with your team's skills and resources.

This might mean a hybrid strategy with a mix of public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises infrastructure. Or it could involve leveraging edge computing for applications that demand ultra-low latency.

Finding Your "Just Right"

To find your "Goldilocks Zone," you need to:

• Assess Your Workloads: Analyze the specific requirements of each application and dataset.
• Evaluate Your Options: Explore the full range of compute environments, including public cloud, private cloud, on-premises, and edge.
• Make Informed Decisions: Choose the best fit based on your needs and objectives.

By taking a "fit for purpose" approach, you can avoid the extremes of the cloud and create a compute strategy that's "just right" for your business.

You might be saying to yourself, “this sounds like a lot of work” - and you’d be right.? But welcome to the role of the IT lead in 2025.? This is the new reality, the work that comes from having more choices that can and will provide the best business outcomes, as long as you (and? your partners) put the work in.