ACKstorm, a prominent Spanish technology company founded in 2002, has established itself as a leader in native cloud solutions, specializing in the design, construction, management, and modernization of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud infrastructures. Recognized as a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Advanced Partner of AWS, as well as a Premier Partner of Google Cloud, ACKstorm is also a partner of key institutions such as the Linux Foundation, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, and the FinOps Foundation. The company offers a full range of services to help businesses manage and optimize their transition to the cloud.
In this interview, Juan Carlos Moreno, Co-Founder and CIO of ACKstorm, shares his experience in driving the adoption of cloud computing in Spain and discusses how the company has helped companies from various sectors address the challenges of migrating to the cloud. Under his leadership, ACKstorm has developed a comprehensive approach that combines technical management with strategic advice, enabling its clients to fully leverage the benefits of cloud environments, both in terms of efficiency and cost reduction.
1. Cloud Computing Adoption
What percentage of your clients have migrated to the cloud and how has this percentage evolved in recent years?
All of our clients work in the cloud. As companies recognize the benefits of flexibility and scalability offered by the cloud, we have seen a significant increase in migration projects, especially towards multi-cloud environments.
What are the main benefits your clients have observed from adopting cloud solutions?
Our clients mainly highlight the ability to scale their infrastructures according to their needs, greater agility in implementing new solutions, and significant improvements in cost management. In addition, the cloud has allowed them to optimize the performance and security of their systems more efficiently and with less initial investment in infrastructure.
Do you consider cloud adoption in Spain to be at the same level as in other European countries? Why?
Although Spain has made significant progress in cloud adoption, we are still one step behind other European countries such as the UK or Germany. Spanish companies are more conservative in their technological decisions, but in recent years we have seen a positive shift, with more and more companies embracing the cloud to stay competitive in a global environment.
2. Multi-Cloud Environment
In your opinion, why are more companies opting for a multi-cloud environment instead of relying on a single provider?
More and more companies opt for multi-cloud environments because it provides flexibility and avoids dependence on a single provider. This allows them to choose the best solution from each platform and diversify risks, both in terms of availability and security. In addition, multi-cloud facilitates compliance with local or sectoral regulations that may require certain data to be managed in specific environments.
What are the main benefits of a multi-cloud strategy? And the main challenges?
The benefits of a multi-cloud strategy include the ability to leverage the best of each provider, cost optimization, greater redundancy, and the possibility to avoid lock-ins with a single provider. However, the main challenges include the complexity of managing multiple platforms, interoperability, and ensuring consistent security across different environments.
How do you help companies manage the complexity that arises when implementing a multi-cloud environment?
At ACKstorm, we help companies manage the complexity of a multi-cloud environment through a combination of advanced tools and customized services. We focus on automation, centralized monitoring, and the implementation of DevOps practices to ensure that teams can efficiently manage these environments. Additionally, we work closely with our clients in designing architectures that simplify multi-cloud operation.
3. Barriers to Cloud Adoption in SMEs
What are the main barriers preventing SMEs from massively adopting cloud solutions?
The main barriers are the perception of high costs, technical complexity, and concerns about security. Often, SMEs also lack the specialized human resources needed to manage a cloud migration and take full advantage of its benefits.
What are the most common concerns of SMEs regarding security and cost when migrating to the cloud?
Regarding security, SMEs are concerned about protecting their data, exposure to cyber-attacks, and regulatory compliance. In terms of costs, they fear that cloud adoption may involve high initial investments and that operational costs may grow unexpectedly if not managed properly.
What solutions does your company offer to help SMEs overcome these obstacles?
ACKstorm has the official competence to work with SMEs in both Google Cloud and AWS. These competencies demonstrate our expertise with these types of companies and enable us to offer services that help SMEs plan their migration efficiently, ensuring cost control from the start (FinOps) and providing scalable solutions that fit their needs. In terms of security, we implement robust measures tailored to their size, with continuous monitoring and managed services that allow them to focus on their business without worrying about infrastructure.
4. Migration and Complexity
What aspects of cloud migration are usually the most complex for companies? How do you help reduce this complexity?
The most complex aspects are usually the integration of legacy systems, adaptation to the Cloud Native environment, and security. At ACKstorm, we simplify these processes with detailed planning, continuous support, and training to ensure a smooth transition.
What measures do you consider necessary for SMEs to have more confidence in migrating to the Cloud?
SMEs need cost transparency, security guarantees, and training. Showing them success stories in their sector, providing technical guidance and support helps them gain more confidence.
Have you noticed a difference in cloud adoption between industrial sectors (e.g. financial services versus retail)?
Yes. Financial services are more cautious due to regulatory issues, while sectors like retail adopt the cloud more quickly, seeking agility and scalability.
5. Cloud Security
In terms of security, what challenges do companies face when migrating to the cloud?
Challenges include ensuring the security of data in transit and at rest, managing access to information properly, and protecting against external attacks. Additionally, the security of applications and services running in the cloud is a significant challenge, as it must be kept up-to-date and aligned with best practices.
What are the most effective security measures you recommend implementing when working in the cloud?
We recommend a layered security strategy that includes data encryption, strict access control policies, and multi-factor authentication. Additionally, continuous monitoring and the automated implementation of security updates are essential to maintain a secure environment.
How do you address security in multi-cloud environments, especially considering the increase in cyber-attacks on cloud platforms?
We address security in multi-cloud environments by implementing consistent and centralized security policies that apply to all platforms. This includes continuous threat monitoring, the use of advanced security tools, and process automation to reduce the risks of human error.
6. The Role of Partners
What role do partners play in the success of a cloud migration?
Partners are crucial in a cloud migration, as they provide the expertise needed to design and execute customized strategies. In our case, we collaborate closely with AWS and Google Cloud, our technology partners, to ensure that companies not only migrate efficiently but also leverage all the capabilities that the cloud offers.
How do you ensure that migration projects are well supported from planning to execution and maintenance?
We ensure that each project has a clear plan from the beginning, with defined milestones and a collaborative approach between teams. We offer managed services that cover everything from initial planning to ongoing maintenance and optimization of the cloud environment, providing support at every stage.
What additional services do you offer to help companies manage their cloud infrastructure after migration?
We provide monitoring services, cost optimization, managed security, and specialized technical support. These services ensure that companies can continue to operate efficiently and securely in the cloud, regardless of the complexity of their infrastructure.
7. Sustainability and the Future of the Cloud
Do you consider sustainability to be becoming a key factor in choosing cloud solutions?
Yes, more and more companies consider sustainability a key factor. The energy efficiency of cloud solutions and the ability to optimize resources are aspects that contribute to reducing carbon footprint.
How are you helping companies reduce their carbon footprint and energy consumption through Cloud solutions?
We help companies implement resource optimization strategies in the cloud, using services that scale according to demand and reduce energy consumption when not needed. Additionally, we collaborate with cloud providers committed to sustainability to maximize the positive impact on the environment.
How do you see the future of the Cloud and what new trends do you foresee shaping the evolution of multi-cloud environments in the coming years?
The future of the Cloud is moving towards greater automation and the use of artificial intelligence for infrastructure management. We will also see an increase in the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud environments, with greater integration of technologies such as edge computing and 5G, allowing companies to be even more agile and efficient in their operations.
More information on the ACKStorm website.