Why Adopting the Cloud is Like Training a Rambunctious puppy ...

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If you've ever deployed a cloud application into your organization, the speed at which the team can be up and running and using it is simply incredible. The speed at which it can cause absolute mayhem is also incredible, but in a different way

In an age where installing on-premise equipment and software is increasingly out of fashion, media enterprises are turning to the cloud to provide the next wave of technological advancement.

We're abstracting workflows using the cloud, and this gives us scale and agility to change the business model and move freely into new businesses and opportunities, commented Disney CTO Vince Roberts recently.

During his presentation at NAB yesterday, Clyde Smith, SVP of New Technology at FOX (and Aframe customer), used a lighthearted analogy to describe the introduction of the cloud into an organization as rather being like training an unruly dog.

In case you missed the session, here are the top tips Clyde recommends to remove the barriers of organizational change when implementing the cloud.

No. 1 Socialize it

Genuine providers will let you trial the product for free to get to grips with the functionality. They may even sit down and agree a proof of concept approach to properly battle test the solution and measure the results at the end.

During the trial, bring in the staff that will be using the system for them to try at the same time. Keep training to a minimum to see how staff assimilate with the new technology and observe how it knits into existing workflows and software.

No. 2 Exercise it

Let it off the leash' to test if it can deliver on the ROI that it's promising. True clouds can quickly scale and eat huge volumes of complex video data for breakfast.

Give it a demanding workflow - try uploading multiple camera formats in full resolution from disparate locations to test if there are any incremental improvements to your organisation's existing capabilities.

No. 3 Give it boundaries

Keep the amount of users on a project limited. Advanced permission controls will allow project administrators to control who has access to files by easily assigning rights to team members, so you won't have security concerns.

The team can become confident using the software, by primarily keeping it within one department, without a risk to the content or the organisation.

If you still need convincing ask to see the architecture of the system. Your intellectual property is your core asset and protecting it is vital to your business and your clients - the more information you can obtain about the provider the greater the peace of mind that your video is secure and backed-up.

No. 4 Train it

By creating a Rollout plan of where it goes next will explain how it will benefit each department, which will in turn removes resistance within the organization.

Create a healthier working atmosphere through extensive sharing of know-how. At this stage giving the cloud more scope to other departments will create more ROI as team members will delve into the broader features and utilize the cloud application for different purposes.

No. 5 Teach it tricks

Try and have fun with your cloud. Treat the relationship you have with your cloud vendor as a partnership, you'll both learn a lot more if your on a even playing field and the service you end up using in real life will be more valuable for it.

Challenge your vendor to keep pace with you - ask for specific features to be tailored to your requirements and even suggest ideas for improvements.

The end result should be

A cloud application that is constantly rewarding, does what you ask and is a great friend.

Related posts:

FOX Sports 1 s Cloud-Powered News Workflow

How to choose the right storage solution for your professional video files

10 Terms The Budding Stringer Should Have In Their Locker

NAB 2014 Showcases Broadcasters' Embrace of Cloud Video Platforms

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LINK:	http://aframe.com/blog/2014/04/why-adopting-the-cloud-is-like-training...
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