Cloud Adoption Framework from STACKIT: Your roadmap for secure cloud transformation
Choosing a cloud is one thing, implementing it is another. Which cloud strategy suits your own IT infrastructure? How can the transformation be designed without jeopardizing ongoing processes or losing sight of the costs? And how can data and workloads be managed securely and compliantly?
This is exactly where the Cloud Adoption Framework – also known as CAF – comes in. It provides guidance for anyone who wants to plan and successfully implement the transition to a cloud infrastructure: with a practical plan, coordinated tools and a clearly defined range of services for each transformation phase. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, the framework provides a flexible concept that is tailored to individual needs, existing system landscapes and specific goals.
Whether a medium-sized business with initial cloud experience or a public organization with a complex governance framework: The framework supports teams in clearly defining responsibilities, documenting processes and clarifying technical and organizational issues with foresight. This creates a solid foundation for sustainable cloud services with customizable solutions.
Key terms relating to the Cloud Adoption Framework
- Cloud adoption: The structured process by which companies gradually migrate their IT systems, applications and data to the cloud and operate them there.
- Framework: A methodical construction kit that bundles best practices, tools, phases and strategies for a successful cloud introduction.
- Migration: The technical and organizational transition of existing workloads, data and applications from local systems to the cloud architecture.
- Transformation: The further development of business processes, IT structures and teams in order to exploit the full potential of the cloud.
- Governance: The management and control of cloud resources, services and costs, taking into account security, compliance and business objectives.
- Workloads: Applications, services and data that are operated and managed in the cloud.
- Computing services: Cloud-based computing services, storage solutions and network services that can be flexibly provided and scaled.
- Hybrid environment: The combination of local IT systems and cloud resources that are managed and used jointly.
Advantages of the Cloud Adoption Framework from STACKIT
The introduction of cloud technologies is a change process. Anyone transferring existing systems to modern infrastructures must keep an eye on technical, organizational and regulatory requirements in equal measure. The Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) offers a reliable plan for this. It helps you to plan cloud projects realistically, implement them securely and develop them further in the long term – based on the German and European framework conditions. The following examples show the benefits CAF can offer you.
Tailor-made strategies for individual requirements
The framework is consistently geared towards the goals, resources and structures of your company. Whether public administration, digital health, start-up or e-commerce: migration, transformation and management are tailored to your environment and your business processes. This results in scalable, future-proof cloud solutions.
Holistic support with personal support
STACKIT accompanies your team with advice, workshops, coordinated tools and a service offering that combines technical implementation and organizational anchoring. Experienced partners support us in the planning and implementation of your cloud strategy
Flexible scaling and efficient resource management
With STACKIT, computing services, workloads and applications adapt dynamically to your requirements. Resources can be scaled flexibly and new services can be integrated quickly – including clear control options. Especially in hybrid environments, companies benefit from the ability to manage local systems and cloud components in parallel.
Transparent costs and economic efficiency
The framework creates the basis for economically viable cloud use. Thanks to pay-per-use, automated resource management and supporting tools such as the STACKIT Calculator, you can keep an eye on service costs and manage your budget in a targeted manner – for a sustainable, economically viable cloud strategy.
How STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework works in detail
The path to the cloud is not a rigid project, but a dynamic process. It must be strategically planned, accompanied and continuously developed. STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework offers a clear structure for precisely this – based on five coordinated phases that can be flexibly adapted to your IT environment, your business requirements and your team.
Planning & Strategy
It all starts with an analysis: What systems, data and workloads are in place? What goals is your company pursuing with the cloud transformation? On this basis, we develop a customized cloud strategy that takes into account business priorities, technical requirements and compliance specifications – including realistic timelines and clear responsibilities.
Preparation & enablement
This phase lays the foundation. The team is empowered to actively shape the necessary technologies. Suitable cloud products, services and tools are selected together – supplemented by a viable concept for guidelines, security and organizational change management.
Migration & transformation
Now the technical implementation begins. Applications, data and workloads are gradually transferred to the cloud environment – using proven migration paths, automated processes and individual protection mechanisms. The aim is to go live without any downtime or security gaps.
Operation & optimization
Once the cloud infrastructure is active, the continuous control phase begins: resources, service costs, performance and security are monitored, processes are documented and improved. The environment is regularly adapted to new requirements – with a view to scalability, efficiency and sustainable management.
Innovation & further development
The cloud becomes a driver of innovation: new products, digital services or data-driven business models can be developed directly on the platform. Modern technologies such as AI, data analytics or IoT can be integrated – without costly new investments or long development cycles.
STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework in practice
Public administration: structured cloud transformation for greater efficiency and security
A small municipality, for example, would like to digitize its administrative processes without compromising on data protection and compliance. STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework offers a clear roadmap: from the analysis of the existing IT structure to the development of a customized migration strategy and secure implementation. The administration benefits from certified data centers, automated governance tools and sovereign data storage. This allows new digital citizen services to be provided securely and efficiently.
Digital health: compliance and scalability through methodical cloud implementation
A software company in the healthcare sector wants to future-proof its cloud platform. The framework helps to systematically integrate regulatory requirements such as GDPR and KRITIS into the cloud strategy. Existing applications and data are migrated step by step, teams are supported through workshops and enablement, and security is ensured through certified processes. The result: scalable, highly available cloud services that meet patient needs and legal requirements in equal measure.
E-commerce: flexible scaling and cost control with framework support
Growing online retailers can expand their e-commerce platform and prepare for peak loads. The framework provides the structure to securely migrate applications and databases to the cloud, manage hybrid environments and flexibly scale computing services. Best practices and tools are used to plan service costs transparently and implement new functions quickly. This means that the platform remains efficient even during seasonal fluctuations – with full control over resources and budget.
Tips & tricks: How to get the most out of STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework
Whether you’re just starting out or developing further, a structured approach to cloud adoption lays the foundation for long-term success. STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework supports companies in every phase – with tools, templates, workshops and practical recommendations. The following tips show you how to use the framework in a targeted manner and avoid typical pitfalls.
- Start with a clear strategy: It all starts with alignment. Analyse your existing IT landscape, define realistic goals and prioritize technical and organizational requirements. STACKIT supports you with workshops and framework tools to translate your individual requirements – from compliance requirements to business processes – into a structured and viable cloud strategy.
- Think about governance and security right from the start: Define clear rules for the secure operation of your cloud – before migrations begin. STACKIT’s governance tools allow you to manage access rights, data flows and compliance requirements automatically. Templates and best practices help you to implement guidelines consistently and minimize risks at an early stage. This allows you to maintain control at all times, even with growing structures.
- Carry out migration in stages: Major changes succeed better in small steps. Instead of migrating all workloads at the same time, the framework recommends a staged approach. Test the migration in advance in a separate environment, use the templates provided and document all steps. This increases reliability and ensures transparency in the process.
- Put people at the center: Technical change needs acceptance. Train your teams at an early stage, clearly define roles and promote dialog between IT, specialist departments and management. STACKIT provides comprehensive enablement offerings to get everyone involved on board – from system administrators to project managers. This creates a common understanding of goals, processes and responsibilities.
Why using STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework pays off in the long term
STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework is much more than a technical guide – it is a reliable companion on the way to a sovereign and sustainable cloud infrastructure. Whether you are a municipality, software company, trading platform or start-up: you benefit from a clearly structured approach, flexible cloud solutions, personal support and maximum data sovereignty.
Instead of an IT landscape that is difficult to understand, the result is a cloud platform that enables innovation, makes costs controllable and adapts to your needs at any time. With STACKIT, the cloud remains transparent and you retain full control over your data, applications and IT environment.
Frequently asked questions about STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework
How does STACKIT’s Cloud Adoption Framework help with cloud adoption?
The Cloud Adoption Framework is a structured roadmap for the successful introduction of cloud technologies. It guides companies and partners through all phases of cloud adoption – from strategic planning to step-by-step migration and ongoing management. With the help of best practices, technical tools and personal advice, individual requirements can be implemented in a targeted manner and typical risks avoided at an early stage.
What advantages does the framework offer for particularly sensitive or regulated areas?
STACKIT processes all data exclusively in compliance with the GDPR in certified data centers in Germany and Austria. The framework integrates governance and security guidelines directly into the cloud strategy and supports you in complying with regulatory requirements such as KRITIS, ISO 27001 or industry-specific standards. Automated tools ensure full transparency and control.
How flexibly can the framework be adapted – for hybrid environments, for example?
The Cloud Adoption Framework was deliberately designed so that it can be adapted to existing IT infrastructures, hybrid scenarios and individual business objectives. It supports both complete and phased migrations and offers scalable cloud solutions for different team sizes and workloads. This allows companies to design their cloud transformation at their own pace according to their specific needs.
