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On why cloud skills acquisition is a continuous journey

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Cloud Computing News

If you suspect that the cloud skills gap has not been lessened in recent years – or, indeed, has actually gotten wider – then take this statistic from Pluralsight into account. The online learning provider notes that, while 98% of customers the company has spoken to have started their cloud journey, only 7% have got the skills they need to go through with it.

To find out why this is, the company’s State of Cloud 2023 report is a useful reference point.

In short, it is not competence which holds organisations back, but complexity. As one map is mastered, another set of mountains appear ominously in the distance.

Take multi-cloud as an example: an Oracle study from this time last year confirmed that multi-cloud was the ‘new reality in enterprise technology.’ An overwhelming 98% of enterprises surveyed who use public cloud had adopted a multi-cloud infrastructure provider strategy. Throw in the exponential potential of AI and machine learning – ‘using that to find the extra edge’, as one CIO in the State of Cloud report put it – and it’s easy to lose track.

The good news is that companies like Pluralsight are here to help – but organisations need to know where they stand first of all. “It’s a journey, and it’s always going to be a journey,” explains Nick Bec, principal consultant of engineering transformation at Pluralsight. “You can’t think too far ahead, you can’t boil the ocean. It needs to be small, incremental steps.”

Pluralsight has two key offerings. With Pluralsight Skills, customers engage with online video learning content across myriad technologies including cloud, cybersecurity, software development, and AI. Pluralsight Skills also offers hands-on learning experiences such as sandbox environments and skills assessments to help identify gaps in knowledge for technologists. Pluralsight Flow is a platform which gives organisations insight through aggregating engineering metrics.

Bec explains why skills gaps are likely to occur – and the long-term problems they cause. Consultants and contractors will come in with a simple cloud migratory remit, do a lift and shift – without the hassle of tying a long-term strategy to it – and then leave the company to clear up the mess.

“What tends to happen is when a company goes through a transformation, for example they want to move to cloud, to get around the knowledge gap they bring a lot of contractors that have got experience in expertise in whatever vendor they’re going to move to, and will take all their applications and move them off to the cloud,” he explains.

“That’s fine, but those contractors are there for a finite amount of time; they’re not there forever, and it’s also quite expensive to hire a squad of contractors,” adds Bec. “And when they eventually leave, there’s a huge skills gap, and a knowledge gap as well.

“So what we tend to find is that whenever the contractors go, the [companies] almost revert to their old ways, whereby they’ve got the same situation, they’ve got the same applications they had before, all in the cloud, but there’s no way to really innovate, there’s no way to kind of go forward.”

The key is to deliver what Pluralsight calls ‘outcome-oriented solutions’ for successful cloud transformations. As Bec notes, this includes all of the workforce – moving from capex to opex models will have a significant effect on finance, for example – and ranges from the committed to the slightly more cynical. It all comes down to change management.

“You’re always going to have detractors and people that are stuck in their ways, and that’s always going to be the case, but we hold sessions with identified SMEs [subject matter experts], people that know what they’re talking about in different areas of the organisation,” says Bec. “When we talk about strategy, where you think you should be going, that tends to align with what their long-term goals are.

“We try to minimise disruption as much as possible by using these SMEs – we try to strike these detractors before it becomes an issue,” adds Bec. “The change management piece becomes a little bit easier because the questions are being answered; any frustrations, any worries they’ve got about the role, or what their new every day is going to look like. These questions have been answered before they even start their transformation journey.”

To emphasise how cloud maturity is a journey rather than a destination, Pluralsight has a Cloud Maturity Matrix for organisations, with 11 different functional areas scaled up across five different levels. Most organisations sit somewhere in the middle; beyond the basic lift and shift, but with work still to be done in order to get the best outcomes.

Bec is a keynote speaker at the Cloud Transformation Conference on February 15 where he will outline how companies can connect the strategic dots and iron out the creases further. “Cloud transformation is an evolving process that involves changing minds, and skill sets, and attitudes,” he explains. “It’s not as big and scary as they probably think it is. You start by focusing on one or two areas and that organically grows; so not thinking ‘we need to move everything overnight.’

“I want [attendees] to have a couple of ideas in their mind, so that whenever they do start the cloud transformation journey, [we’ve] given them a couple of little ideas to help them prepare, to make it go a little bit smoother.”

Picture credit: Pluralsight

Check out the upcoming Cloud Transformation Conference, a free virtual event for business and technology leaders to explore the evolving landscape of cloud transformation. Book your free virtual ticket to deep dive into the practicalities and opportunities surrounding cloud adoption. Learn more here.

Tags: cloud, cloud computing, cloud transformation, Digital Transformation, online learning, Pluralsight

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Why Malia Obama Received Major Criticism Over A Secret Facebook Page Dissing Trump

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Why Malia Obama Received Major Criticism Over A Secret Facebook Page Dissing Trump

Given the divisive nature of both the Obama and Trump administrations, it’s unsurprising that reactions to Malia Obama’s alleged secret Facebook account would be emotional. Many online users were quick to jump to former President Donald Trump’s defense, with one user writing: “Dear Malia: Do you really think that anyone cares whether you and/or your family likes your father’s successor? We’re all trying to forget you and your family.”

Others pointed out the double standard held by those who condemn Trump for hateful rhetoric but praise people like Malia who speak out against her father’s successor in what they believe to be hateful rhetoric. Some users seemed bent on criticizing Malia simply because they don’t like her or her father, proving that the eldest Obama daughter couldn’t win for losing regarding the public’s perception of her or her online presence. 

The secret Facebook situation is not all that dissimilar to critics who went after Malia for her professional name at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In this instance, people ironically accused Malia of using her family’s name to get into the competitive festival while also condemning her for opting not to use her surname, going by Malia Ann instead.

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Best Practices for Data Center Decommissioning and IT Asset Disposition

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Best Practices for Data Center Decommissioning and IT Asset Disposition

Data center decommissioning is a complicated process that requires careful planning and experienced professionals.

If you’re considering shutting down or moving your data center, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Decommissioning a Data Center is More than Just Taking Down Physical Equipment

Decommissioning_a_Data_Center_is_More_than_Just_Taking_Down_Physical_Equipment.jpg

Decommissioning a data center is more than just taking down physical equipment. It involves properly disposing of data center assets, including servers and other IT assets that can contain sensitive information. The process also requires a team with the right skills and experience to ensure that all data has been properly wiped from storage media before they’re disposed of.

Data Centers Can be Decommissioned in Phases, Which Allows For More Flexibility

When you begin your data center decommissioning process, it’s important to understand that it’s not an event. Instead, it’s a process that takes place over time and in phases. This flexibility allows you to adapt as circumstances change and make adjustments based on your unique situation. For example:

  • You may start by shutting down parts of the facility (or all) while keeping others running until they are no longer needed or cost-effective to keep running.

  • When you’re ready for full shutdown, there could be some equipment still in use at other locations within the company (such as remote offices). These can be moved back into storage until needed again.

Data Center Decommissioning is Subject to Compliance Guidelines

Data center decommissioning is subject to compliance guidelines. Compliance guidelines may change, but they are always in place to ensure that your organization is following industry standards and best practices.

  • Local, state and federal regulations: You should check local ordinances regarding the disposal of any hazardous materials that were used in your data center (such as lead-based paint), as well as any other applicable laws related to environmental impact or safety issues. If you’re unsure about how these might affect your plans for a decommissioned facility, consult an attorney who specializes in this area of law before proceeding with any activities related to IT asset disposition or building demolition.

  • Industry standards: There are many industry associations dedicated specifically toward helping businesses stay compliant with legal requirements when moving forward with projects such as data center decommissioning.

  • Internal policies & procedures: Make sure everyone on staff understands how important it is not just from a regulatory standpoint but also from an ethical one; nobody wants their name associated with anything inappropriate!

Companies Should Consider Safety and Security During the Decommissioning Process

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that involves several steps. Companies need to consider the risks associated with each step of the process, and they should have a plan in place to mitigate these risks. The first step of data center decommissioning is identifying all assets and determining which ones will be reused or repurposed. At this point, you should also determine how long it will take for each asset to be repurposed or recycled so that you can estimate how much money it will cost for this part of your project (this can be done through an estimate based on previous experience).

The second step involves removing any hazardous materials from electronic equipment before it’s sent off site for recycling; this includes chemicals used in manufacturing processes like lead-free solder paste adhesives used on circuit boards made from tin-based alloys containing up 80% pure tin ingots stamped out into flat sheets called “pucks”. Once these chemicals have been removed from whatever device needs them taken off their surfaces then those devices can safely go through any other necessary processes such as grinding away excess plastic housing material using high pressure water jets until only its bare frame remains intact without any cracks where moisture might collect inside later causing corrosion damage over time due too much moisture exposure.

With Proper Planning and an Effective Team, You’ll Help Protect Your Company’s Future

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that should be handled by a team of experts with extensive experience in the field. With proper planning, you can ensure a smooth transition from your current data center environment to the next one.

The first step toward a successful data center decommissioning project is to create a plan for removing hardware and software assets from the building, as well as documenting how these assets were originally installed in the facility. This will allow you or another team member who may inherit some of these assets later on down the line to easily find out where they need to go when it’s time for them to be moved again (or disposed).

Use Professional Data Center Decommissioning Companies

In order to ensure that you get the most out of your data center decommissioning project, it’s important to use a professional data center decommissioning company. A professional data center decommissioning company has experience with IT asset disposition and can help you avoid mistakes in the process. They also have the tools and expertise needed to efficiently perform all aspects of your project, from pre-planning through finalizing documentation.

Proper Planning Will Help Minimize the Risks of Data Center Decommissioning

Proper_Planning_Will_Help_Minimize_the_Risks_of_Data_Center_Decommissioning.jpg

Proper planning is the key to success when it comes to the data center decommissioning process. It’s important that you don’t wait until the last minute and rush through this process, as it can lead to mistakes and wasted time. Proper planning will help minimize any risks associated with shutting down or moving a data center, keeping your company safe from harm and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken before shutdown takes place.

To Sum Up

The key to a successful ITAD program is planning ahead. The best way to avoid unexpected costs and delays is to plan your ITAD project carefully before you start. The best practices described in this article will help you understand what it takes to decommission an entire data center or other large facility, as well as how to dispose of their assets in an environmentally responsible manner.

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Massive Volatility Reported – Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update

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Google Logo Exploding Cracking

I am seeing some massive volatility being reported today after seeing a spike in chatter within the SEO community on Friday. I have not seen the third-party Google tracking tools show this much volatility in a long time. I will say the tracking tools are way more heated than the chatter I am seeing, so something might be off here.

Again, I saw some initial chatter from within the SEO forums and on this site starting on Friday. I decided not to cover it on Friday because the chatter was not at the levels that would warrant me posting something. Plus, while some of the tools started to show a lift in volatility, most of the tools did not yet.

To be clear, Google has not confirmed any update is officially going on.

Well, that changed today, and the tools are all superheated today.

Google Tracking Tools:

Let’s start with what the tools are showing:

Semrush:

Semrush

SimilarWeb:

Similarweb

Mozcast:

Mozcast

SERPmetrics:

Serpmetrics

Advanced Web Rankings:

Advancedwebranking

Accuranker:

Accuranker

Wincher:

Wincher

Mangools:

Mangools

SERPstat:

Serpstat

Cognitive SEO:

Cognitiveseo

Algoroo:

Algoroo

So most of these tools are incredibly heated, signaling that they are showing massive changes in the search result positions in the past couple of days.

SEO Chatter

Here is some of the chatter from various comments on this site and on WebmasterWorld since Friday:

Speaking of, is anyone seeing some major shuffling going on in the SERPs today? It’s a Friday so of course Google is playing around again.

Something is going on.

Pages are still randomly dropping out of the index for 8-36h at a time. Extremely annoying.

Speaking of, is anyone seeing some major shuffling going on in the SERPs today? It’s a Friday so of course Google is playing around again

In SerpRobot I’m seeing a steady increase in positions in February, for UK desktop and mobile, reaching almost the ranks from the end of Sep 2023. Ahrefs shows a slight increase in overall keywords and ranks.

In the real world, nothing seems to happen.

yep, traffic has nearly come to a stop. But exactly the same situation happened to us last Friday as well.

USA traffic continues to be whacked…starting -70% today.

In my case, US traffic is almost zero (15 % from 80%) and the rest is kind of the same I guess. Traffic has dropped from 4K a day to barely scrapping 1K now. But a lot is just bots since payment-wise, the real traffic seems to be about 400-500. And … that’s how a 90% reduction looks like.

Something is happening now. Google algo is going crazy again. Is anyone else noticing?

Since every Saturday at 12 noon the Google traffic completely disappears until Sunday, everything looks normal to me.

This update looks like a weird one and no, Google has not confirmed any update is going on.

What are you all noticing?

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

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