PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP

The Art of the Possible Workshop is a structured, 90-minute session provided by GlassHouse Systems, designed to help customers gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential value that VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) on IBM Cloud can bring to their hybrid IT environment. GlassHouse Systems offers this as a complimentary, interactive workshop that leverages specific details about the customer’s current VMware environment to demonstrate the benefits of transitioning to a hybrid cloud solution.

During this workshop, GlassHouse Systems specialists will engage with key stakeholders from the customer’s IT team to discuss:

• The current state of their VMware environment, including the number of servers, workloads, databases, and dependencies.
• The customer’s goals and challenges with their existing infrastructure.
• The architectural potential and benefits of transitioning to a VCF-based solution on IBM Cloud, with a focus on scalability, cost-effectiveness, security, and hybrid cloud capabilities. 

KEY TOPICS COVERED

• Assessment of Current Environment: GlassHouse Systems will gather and analyze details about the existing VMware infrastructure, including server counts, workload types, database systems, and application dependencies.
• Architectural Review: GlassHouse Systems architects will lead a discussion on the architectural aspects of IBM Cloud, demonstrating how VCF can integrate with and enhance the customer’s current environment.
• Solution Benefits: The workshop will emphasize how VCF on IBM Cloud supports a secure, flexible, and scalable hybrid environment, with a focus on ease of management, cost efficiency, and business continuity.
• Roadmap for Transition: The session will conclude with a high-level roadmap for moving to a VCF on IBM Cloud solution, including initial next steps, potential timelines, and key decision points. 

WHO NEEDS TO ATTEND?

To ensure the workshop’s effectiveness, it is essential to have the right stakeholders present. GlassHouse Systems recommends the following participants:

• IT Manager: Responsible for overseeing the overall IT infrastructure, this individual will provide insights into the current setup and operational challenges.
• VMware Manager: The technical lead for the VMware environment, able to answer specific questions about workloads, virtual machines, and technical dependencies.
• Senior IT Executive (e.g., CIO, CTO, or VP of IT): An executive-level participant who understands the broader business implications of IT decisions, including costs, compliance, and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE AND ROLES

• Introduction (15 minutes): GlassHouse Systems introduces the session objectives and outlines the agenda. The architect leads a quick overview of the information shared beforehand, verifying details with the customer.
• Environment Overview (20 minutes): The GlassHouse Systems architect discusses the VMware environment specifics and potential integration points with IBM Cloud. Questions will be asked to clarify technical details and dependencies.
• Solution Presentation (30 minutes): GlassHouse Systems specialists present the VCF on IBM Cloud solution, covering features like workload mobility, enhanced security, and cost management in a hybrid cloud setting. 
• Discussion & Q&A (15 minutes): Participants can ask questions and discuss specific concerns regarding the migration, security, and operational aspects of moving to VCF on IBM Cloud.
• Next Steps and Roadmap (10 minutes): GlassHouse Systems provides an outline of the possible next steps, including a preliminary assessment proposal, further discovery phases, and detailed cost analysis options. 

GUIDING QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

To ensure a productive and tailored discussion, the following questions will be posed during the workshop:

1. Workload Details:

• What types of workloads are you currently running on VMware (e.g., databases, web servers, application servers), and how critical are they to your operations?
• Are there specific applications that need priority in terms of performance and reliability?

2. Infrastructure Change and Goals:

• Are you looking to change your current infrastructure environment, and if so, why?
• What specific goals or improvements are you seeking with a transition to VCF on IBM Cloud?

3. VMware Environment Overview:

• Can you provide an overview of your current VMware environment, including the number of hosts and virtual machines in use?
• Which VMware modules are you utilizing today, and are there any that you plan to expand or modify?

4. Storage and Memory Usage:

• What are your typical storage and memory usage requirements for these virtual machines?
• Are there specific challenges related to storage performance or memory scalability?

5. Security and Compliance: 

• Are there any specific security and compliance requirements that we need to be aware of when considering cloud solutions?
• What standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) does your organization need to adhere to?

6. Future Growth and Scalability Needs:

• How do you anticipate your IT infrastructure needs evolving over the next 1 to 3 years, particularly in terms of scalability and growth?
• Are there upcoming projects or expansions that could impact your cloud requirements? 

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

After the workshop, GlassHouse Systems will provide:

• A summary report (3-4 pages) detailing the topics discussed, an overview of the potential solution, and a high-level architectural diagram.
• A preliminary cost-benefit analysis showing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) impact of VCF on IBM Cloud.
• Recommendations for follow-up actions, which may include a full assessment or a deeper technical discovery session.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING

By attending this workshop, customers will:

• Gain a clear understanding of how their VMware environment can leverage IBM Cloud's capabilities.
• Receive tailored insights into the benefits of a hybrid cloud setup, emphasizing cost-efficiency, security, and scalability.
• Have an opportunity to ask specific technical and strategic questions, helping them make informed decisions about their cloud journey.

This Art of the Possible Workshop, conducted by GlassHouse Systems, is designed to provide customers with an insightful and interactive experience, helping them to envision how VCF on IBM Cloud can strategically benefit their organization’s hybrid cloud strategy. 

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