Moving to the Cloud from Coursera

The cloud is taking business by storm. In fact, due to the extraordinary growth of the cloud, it has been described as a tornado, not a fluffy white floating object!

Commercial research analysts consider cloud as one of the most significant trends with a potential to change the whole global IT industry. Governments, including those in the US, Britain, and Australia, have cloud-first policies now in place which mandate cloud over non-cloud services in ICT procurement. But CIOs and other senior executives, while it's on the majority of their agendas, aren't sure what it really means for their organisations - how to leverage the benefits, control the commercials, manage the business risk, and adapt their organisations.

While it is important to set requirements, negotiate commercials (terms, service level agreements, and pricing), and sign the contract - it is also critical that we develop a clear plan for ‘Moving to the Cloud’ which realigns our business architecture, organization and most importantly our people.

This course provides the answers that management must know to be successful and realise the benefits:

• Where should I go cloud?

• What are the commercials?

• Where is my leverage?

• How do I realign my business practices and architecture?

• How do I gear up my people and structure my organisation?

View the MOOC promotional video here: http://tinyurl.com/hvtz2ph

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction

Thank you for joining us in Moving to the Cloud! We begin your first week of this course by bringing you up to speed on all things cloud. This includes the cycles of disruptive technology cycle, the history of cloud and the terminology that is currently in use. We will also introduce some fundamental cloud computing concepts including what cloud computing is and how it works. We are delighted that Professor Leslie Willcocks from the London School of Economics and Vince Kellen form the University of California (San Diego) will be joining us for guest lectures. We also have a debate on whether the cloud is the end of traditional IT outsourcing. Make sure to check out what your peers have said!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for executives pursuing cloud computing projects

Appropriate for individuals or organizations considering transitioning to the cloud

Relevant for learners interested in understanding cloud computing adoption strategies

Provides guidance on evaluating cloud computing costs and commercial aspects

Offers insights into managing organizational change during cloud migration

Involves guest lectures from industry experts, providing practical perspectives

Reviews summary

Business strategy for cloud migration

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive overview of moving to the cloud from a business and strategic perspective. Many found it particularly useful for managers or those needing a non-technical understanding, appreciating the focus on organizational readiness, commercials, and change management. The guest speakers and expert interviews were frequently highlighted as a valuable aspect. However, some reviewers noted it is quite high-level and lacks technical depth, making it less suitable for those seeking hands-on technical skills or for experienced cloud professionals who might find it too introductory. The course seems well-structured for its target audience.

Suitable for newcomers to cloud business.

"Perfect for someone new to considering cloud from a business viewpoint."

"This course assumes little to no prior knowledge about cloud business strategy."

"If you already have a strong background in cloud strategy, this might be too basic."

Covers contracts, pricing, and SLAs.

"The modules on cloud commercials, contracts, and SLAs were particularly insightful for my role."

"Understanding cloud pricing models and contract clauses was a major takeaway for me."

"Gave me a much better grasp on the financial and legal considerations of moving to the cloud."

Addresses people and process changes.

"Appreciated the focus on the people and organizational aspects of cloud migration, not just the technology."

"Learning about managing change and organizational readiness was highly relevant."

"Helped me understand how to prepare our team and processes for the move to cloud."

Features valuable guest speakers.

"The interviews with industry experts added significant real-world value and different perspectives."

"Guest lecturers provided insights that I couldn't get from standard textbooks."

"Loved hearing from the people actually working with cloud adoption in various organizations."

Explores cloud from a business lens.

"Provides an excellent overview of the business case and strategy for cloud adoption, not just the tech."

"This course is ideal for business leaders and managers who need to understand the strategic implications of cloud."

"I learned how to think about cloud migration from an organizational and commercial standpoint, which was very helpful."

Content is non-technical and high-level.

"Was hoping for more technical details on the actual migration process, but this is strictly strategic."

"Very high-level, good for beginners or managers, but not for anyone looking for technical skills."

"I found the course didn't dive deep enough into the technical challenges or solutions for moving to the cloud."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Moving to the Cloud with these activities:

Practice Cloud Computing Terminology and Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of cloud computing terminology and concepts through practice.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing Concepts

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Review cloud computing terminology
Complete practice questions and exercises
Participate in online forums or discussion groups

Read 'Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture' by Thomas Erl, Zaigham Mahmood, and Ricardo Puttini

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Get a comprehensive understanding of cloud computing fundamentals, including concepts, technologies, and architectures.

View Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &... on Amazon

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Read through the chapters, taking notes on key terms and concepts
Identify the different cloud deployment models and service models
Understand the benefits and challenges of cloud computing

Follow Tutorials on Cloud Computing Platforms

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Gain hands-on experience with cloud computing platforms through guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing Platforms

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Identify a cloud computing platform and its tutorials
Follow the tutorials step-by-step
Experiment with different cloud services and features

Three other activities

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Attend Cloud Computing Meetups and Conferences

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Network with professionals in the field and stay updated on industry trends.

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Identify relevant cloud computing meetups and conferences
Attend the events and actively participate in discussions
Connect with professionals and exchange ideas

Develop a Cloud Adoption Plan

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Create a practical plan to guide your organization's transition to the cloud.

Browse courses on Cloud Adoption

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Define your cloud adoption goals and objectives
Assess your current IT infrastructure and workloads
Identify potential cloud providers and services
Develop a migration strategy
Estimate the costs and benefits of cloud adoption

Participate in Cloud Computing Workshops

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Gain practical skills and knowledge through hands-on workshops.

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Identify and register for relevant cloud computing workshops
Attend the workshops and actively participate in exercises
Ask questions and seek guidance from experts

Career center

Learners who complete Moving to the Cloud will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs, builds, and maintains cloud computing systems. As one, you will need to be up to date on the latest advances in cloud technologies, and cloud security best practices. This course will be particularly helpful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions, and how to manage cloud costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day operation of cloud computing systems. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of cloud technologies and cloud security. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions, and how to manage cloud costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both software development and cloud computing. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions, and how to manage cloud costs.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is responsible for using data to solve business problems. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of data analysis and machine learning. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to use cloud computing to store and process data.

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IT Manager

An IT Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's IT infrastructure. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both traditional IT and cloud computing. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions, and how to manage cloud costs.

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IT Consultant

An IT Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to achieve their business goals. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both traditional IT and cloud computing. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions, and how to manage cloud costs.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of project management best practices. This course will be particularly helpful to you as it will provide you with information on how to plan and execute cloud computing projects. You will learn about the different phases of a cloud computing project, the risks associated with cloud computing projects, and the best practices for managing cloud computing projects.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for understanding the business needs of an organization and translating those needs into technical requirements. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both business and technology. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to use cloud computing to meet the business needs of an organization and how to translate those needs into technical requirements.

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Cloud Security Engineer

A Cloud Security Engineer is responsible for securing cloud computing systems. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of cloud security best practices. This course will be particularly helpful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud security. You will learn about the different types of cloud security threats, the best practices for protecting cloud systems from those threats, and the best practices for responding to cloud security incidents.

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Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst is responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both hardware and software. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions.

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Cloud Support Engineer

A Cloud Support Engineer is responsible for providing technical support to cloud computing users. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of cloud computing technologies and cloud security best practices. This course will be particularly helpful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to troubleshoot cloud computing problems and provide technical support to cloud computing users.

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Cloud Solutions Architect

A Cloud Solutions Architect is responsible for designing and implementing cloud computing solutions. As one, you will need to have a deep understanding of both cloud computing technologies and business needs. This course will be particularly helpful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to design and implement cloud solutions that meet the business needs of an organization.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both software development best practices and cloud computing technologies. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to use cloud computing to develop and test software.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of data analysis techniques and cloud computing technologies. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to use cloud computing to store and process data.

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IT Auditor

An IT Auditor is responsible for auditing an organization's IT systems and processes. As one, you will need to have a strong understanding of both traditional IT and cloud computing. This course may be useful to you as it will provide you with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing. You will learn about the different types of cloud services, the benefits of using cloud computing, and the challenges of moving to the cloud. You will also learn how to audit cloud computing systems and processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor