As a vAdmin, you know that the job is evolving. With the speed of business constantly increasing, it’s no longer enough to just manage VMs. You need to be able to manage apps in a self-service, automated environment that runs on cloud resources. This shift towards a cloud operating model requires you to automate your day-to-day tasks and gain visibility into the IT needs of your business units and customers.

The good news is that you can do it. The vSphere and VMware environment are the foundation for modern cloud infrastructure. By building on this skillset, you can give your company the flexibility a cloud operating model provides.

One way to start is by learning how to shift your operations to deliver like a cloud. This will allow you to stay relevant in your company while providing traditional infrastructure in a new way. Growing and learning as technology changes will allow you to bring better IT value to your company.

Companies are going through digital transformations, and yours should be too. ITOps must understand what the business and each business unit are trying to accomplish. Infrastructure should be part of the conversation, and this can be a new role and skillset for ITOps that will require investment but will have a great return.

Getting here may take time, and that’s okay. This can be an evolution, not a revolution. Go at the pace your company will allow, but it’s time to start the process. Your company may not understand why you are moving in this direction, so you may need to sell this idea to them.

The cloud model includes people, process, and technology. Research the technology and find what’s best for your company. VMUG has an upcoming webinar, “Unlock the Secret to Cloud Acceleration with vRealize Cloud Universal,” on July 15, 2021. Automate the simple things in your environment to free up your time and help your business with their digital transformation.

Here are some additional resources as you level-up your role and explore the cloud model:

* Mandy Storbakken’s contributions to this blog

* DevOps Technology: Everything as Code – VMware Cloud Community

* Partnership Perspective podcast with Mike Hayes, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at VMware

I want to thank Mandy Storbakken for her contributions to this blog.