Cloud Conferences

Build a cloud strategy that delivers agility and cost optimization

Cloud computing is a critical component of business and IT as the workforce has shifted to remote work, and next-generation technologies and initiatives such as digital business, customer intimacy and artificial intelligence have become a reality.

Cloud computing and edge computing are gaining significant interest from end users and vendors as a result of increasing adoption and success stories. However, concerns about relative cost, security and the impact on infrastructure and IT operations sometimes curtail enthusiasm and excitement. As an IT infrastructure, IT operations or cloud leader, you know that balancing value against these concerns is a key part of any cloud strategy.

Join us to get answers to your critical questions and build a world-class cloud strategy:

Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations and Cloud Strategies Conference
7 – 10 December 2020 | Americas | Virtual
7 – 10 December 2020 | EMEA | Virtual

Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference

Find the tools, technologies and techniques necessary to deliver the agility and cost optimization your organization demands now.
What's covered

Get insight into the technologies and trends shaping the future.

  • Track A. Agile and DevOps 
  • Track B. Tomorrow’s Infrastructure 
  • Track C. Cloud Migration Strategies 
  • Track D. Edge and Distributed Cloud 
  • Track E. IT Operations in a Hybrid World 
  • Track F. Leadership in the Next Normal
  • Track G. Infrastructure and Cloud Security 
  • Track H. Disruptive Technologies to Drive Competitive Advantage
Who should attend

IT executives develop the tools to align the overall IT strategy with that of the business and get the most out of existing infrastructure while moving toward a digital future.

IT infrastructure leaders get deeper insights into striking the optimal balance of on-premises and public cloud, as well as cost optimization techniques and creating an infrastructure that supports an agile environment.

Cloud leaders understand the impact of new services and providers on I&O teams and processes, as well as which cloud management, infrastructure and operations automation capabilities and organizational models are necessary for enabling digital business.

Gartner Cloud conference gave great insights into the cloud computing journey. This conference was much more valuable than just reading Gartner Magic Quadrants, as you really were able to see the thought process that the Gartner [experts] go through when they evaluate products and processes. This helps give further insight into what is relative and important for your organization as well as a roadmap to success.

Steve Olds

Security Architect, IHG

Gartner cloud conferences give you the advice you need to develop a world-class cloud strategy.

Our team of Gartner experts provides actionable insights to help you address specific strategic and tactical challenges arising from cost, complexity and speed of change.

Take a deep dive into the evolution of enterprise cloud adoption with extensive coverage on: Migration tactics, skills and cultural considerations, vendor selection, optimization, multicloud environments, cloud security, data center outsourcing strategies, hybrid and digital infrastructures, cloud optimization, cloud computing, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), SaaS and more. Explore your most critical priorities alongside our experts:

  • Rethink the technology architecture, processes and people required for next-generation workloads and remote working environments.
  • Create an agile enterprise with the right mix of on-premises, edge-based, distributed cloud and hybrid cloud-based services.
  • Answer the call to agility through exploring DevOps and other approaches and making the right investments to expand and transform your IT infrastructure’s value proposition over the longer term.
  • Develop a successful cloud or edge strategy that strikes the right balance between value, cost and risk.
  • Cultivate an IT culture supported by effective skills and mindsets that can adapt quickly to support new business, societal and technology trends.
  • Secure hybrid infrastructure through robust security, operational resilience and service delivery strategy.
  • Drive the right balance between immediate cost pressures, smart investments, operational stability and innovation opportunities.
  • Learn how to leverage the trends, technologies and organizational shifts changing the course of IT infrastructure and IT operations.

    Now is the time to think and lead differently.

Dive into our latest research to start developing a cloud strategy that delivers the business outcomes you need to be successful. 

Rapidly respond to changing business needs 

Foster the competencies, practices and technologies required to sustain successful business results, and understand how cloud strategies effect existing service continuity and disaster recovery strategies.

Take a look inside Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference

Get a preview of what you can expect at Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies conference through a snippet of last year’s keynote, “I&O 2025: Re-energize, Revitalize, Revolutionize.”

The Value of Gartner Event Sponsorship

5 Top Cloud Strategy Mistakes to Avoid

Although most organizations use cloud computing, many don’t have a cloud strategy, preventing them from optimizing the role cloud should play in the organization. A cloud strategy should be driven by business strategy and provide guidance to those implementing it. But organizations often make mistakes in formulating their cloud strategies. Gartner research shows the top 5 to avoid.

Cloud computing is not just about technology, and people outside IT have relevant skills and knowledge that IT professionals may not. HR, legal and finance departments, for example, will not only be impacted by cloud adoption but will need to be prepared, look for ways to use cloud to benefit their functions and provide expertise.

Devising a strategy and then trying to “sell” it to the business won’t be effective. Business and IT should be equal partners in defining the cloud strategy. Overlooking the input and knowledge beyond IT will prevent the effort from being truly strategic for the whole organization.

An exit strategy helps an organization to extricate itself from a cloud decision if it becomes necessary, but many organizations skip this step because they don’t expect to bring anything back from the cloud. Although this is rare, it’s vital to have an exit strategy — even if it’s never used. And in some cases, regulators mandate them, especially in the EU and in financial services.

Although creating an exit strategy can be hard, it is a best business practice to have a contingency plan for unforeseen events that may affect your cloud usage. An effective exit strategy goes beyond legal and contractual issues to address areas like data ownership, data protection, security and infrastructure, and it makes your organization more agile.

 

Many organizations confuse a cloud strategy with a cloud adoption or migration plan. But strategy should come before implementation. It should align with other strategic plans across the organization and also with the organization’s vision. The cloud strategy can be a catalyst for creating a broader IT or technology strategy. 

Alignment to an existing security strategy is critical and may involve negotiations among the responsible parties, particularly if devising a cloud strategy clashes with the security strategy currently in place.

If your organization’s existing “cloud strategy” is long and extremely detailed, it is likely an implementation plan instead, even if it contains some aspects of strategy. If it discusses how to select providers, manage the use of cloud or migration to the cloud, it’s not a strategy.

 

Even if your organization is already using cloud computing, there’s still time to create a strategy. If you can define why you’re using cloud and what its role is in your organization, you’ve already started defining your cloud strategy. Even if you haven’t documented these things, you don’t need to start from scratch. Your strategy should start from where you are and factor in what the organization has already done.

Assess your organization’s use of cloud. Examine and document achievements, mistakes and lessons learned. Your strategy should reflect these things and ensure that any mistakes already made aren’t repeated. Making this strategy a living document is critical to its success. Updating it frequently enhances its effectiveness.

 

A cloud strategy is not a plan to move everything to the cloud. Fear of this actually deters many organizations from devising a cloud strategy. Don’t assume that a strategy will force your organization to use cloud computing for everything. Keep an open mind and don’t jump to conclusions before you start. It’s helpful to have someone other than an in-depth cloud expert devise the strategy, and an enterprise architect is ideal for the job because of the role’s broad viewpoint. 

Remember that the best time to do a cloud strategy was five years ago — but the second best time is now.

Not finding what you’re looking for?
Experience Gartner conferences.

Gartner provides world-class conferences across six core business areas to help you master your role, transform your business and tap into an unsurpassed peer network. Gartner conferences bring together forward-thinking leaders like you to explore emerging trends, accelerate your learning and guide near-term decisions.