Dispelling the my of cloud chaos ...

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Over the last few years, the cloud has become the de facto way of storing, retrieving and working with applications and data. Within the broadcast sector, innovative individuals are busily improving collaboration and reducing production time by exploiting a range of applications in the cloud, from Dropbox to highly sophisticated video production systems.

However, the ease with which these subscription based applications can be purchased and deployed has resulted in some within IT raising concerns regarding lack of central control and technology fragmentation. But is this concern really warranted?

1. Seek the solution that is right for your business The speed with which cloud based applications are beginning to pervade businesses of every size has taken some organizations by surprise - not least in IT where the ease of deployment and the ability to rapidly exploit innovative applications to meet specific business requirements is a world away from the traditional, extended, on premise deployment model.

It is important to recognize that forward thinking individuals across the business are now actively seeking solutions to address their specific problems. Moreover, they are exploiting free trials to assess the features and functionality; and using the SaaS subscription based model to negotiate directly with vendors.

Cloud based applications are hugely compelling in ensuring organizations are using technology that truly meets business needs. The user led approach does, however, potentially raise concerns for an IT team that has no knowledge of the different systems that have been adopted - or the value of the contracts agreed. So, how should businesses approach the adoption of cloud?

2. Keep the IT department in the loop Ensuring the IT department has oversight of the technology adoption across the organization is essential to realizing the full benefits of these innovative solutions. Furthermore, if IT has both oversight and understanding of the benefits being attained by each department, it becomes far easier to identify other business areas that may benefit - such as the development of a global news portal to transform the speed and effectiveness of news gathering.

It is also a model far preferred by the technology vendors because it provides a single point of contact and discussion for on-going product development and enhancement that can be extremely valuable to both parties. An IT department that has access to all user and departmental feedback about ROI can give a vendor far better insight into on-going product developments that reflect broad, rather than department or genre specific, requirements.

3. Take a proactive approach Given that most broadcasters will already have pockets of cloud deployment across the organization, what is the best way forward for the CTO? Users have actively sought out and embraced these solutions for a reason - and are gaining quantifiable value from the technology.

Taking a proactive approach is key. Sanctioning one cloud based video production solution, and offering it to the organization, with no particular recommendation or forced adoption, and asking for feedback, transforms the entire model. Users perceive the solution to be self-selected because it has not been imposed, while IT has the benefit of central control and visibility, as well as the financial value of a single contract negotiation and a structured agreement.

4. Provide a single location for all footage In addition to achieving financial and corporate control, by avoiding the adoption of multiple cloud solutions the business minimizes the risk of data fragmentation. And this is key. One of the fundamental requirements for any broadcaster is to enable effective, secure sharing of data. From sports and news departments sharing footage of a report about Michael Schumacher, to libraries of expensive background shots and the multiple groups that need access to drama productions - including post production, compliance, marketing, promotions, even other broadcasters in different jurisdictions - providing a single location for all production footage is an essential component of effective cloud utilisation. A fragmented adoption of cloud technologies fundamentally undermines that model and radically reduces the corporate ROI.

In conclusion, although cloud chaos may sound threatening, with the right attitude, it is also a myth. Despite the hype about cloud technologies and the proliferation of true cloud based solutions, broadcaster adoption is still in its infancy. But timing is key: users are showing initiative - they are actively seeking out technologies in the cloud that are delivering value and improving day to day operations. And with the speed of deployment that underpins the cloud model, it is essential to take control today and exploit unprecedented user commitment to innovation and technology change.

There is no need to throw out every instance of unauthorized' cloud deployment - that misses the point and undermines user confidence in IT. Nor is this a model where forced adoption will work. Instead, encouraging users to test out and play with specific cloud technologies and, critically, provide feedback on their viability and value, will enable businesses to truly harness the power of cloud video without compromising IT control.

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