As use of cloud-based technology continues to grow, ITS is taking steps to ensure that campus IT leaders will be prepared to participate in this transformation.
Toward that goal, ITS held cloud essentials training for four full days in June for ITS leaders and members of the Information Technology Executive Council (ITEC). About 30 people from schools, departments and centers across campus attended the Introduction to Cloud Computing training.
Learning common terminology
ITS offered this training to help IT leaders on campus gain a common level of cloud terminology as they consider cloud options that ITS can support, said John Mack, Assistant Vice Chancellor, ITS Infrastructure & Operations.
“I believe we accomplished our intended objective,” he said. “It was eye opening for some and a great experience for others. The consensus is that there is a lot to consider when working with cloud technologies.”
Focusing on cloud
“Think Cloud” is one of ITS’ four strategic focus areas. ITS is pursuing multiple initiatives toward its goal of cultivating the proper use of cloud computing technologies at the University.
For the June training at the Carolina Club, ITS contracted with Cognixia to provide a local trainer to customize and teach the course.
Attendees gained an overall understanding of cloud computing, what cloud has to offer and how it differs from traditional development, and how to build solutions on the cloud.
They also learned about cloud security, migration strategies, and the three top cloud providers — Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure and Google Cloud.
In surveys, participants gave the trainer and the training high marks.
What’s next
Now that attendees have received this training, Mack said he anticipates that they will “continue to expand their knowledge, hopefully develop an appetite for further training with their own staff and partner with ITS to look at cloud options as they begin their infrastructure lifecycle refresh.”