The cloud provides rapid access to flexible and low-cost IT resources, and with the AWS Cloud, public sector institutions no longer need to make large upfront investments in hardware or spend a lot of time and money on the heavy lifting.
AWS offers compute, storage, database, analytics, application, and deployment services that help government, education, and nonprofits move faster, lower IT costs, and scale applications.
In this walkthrough, we will cover topics that are important to consider, which include justifying your move to AWS, operational and cultural implications, purchasing strategies, architectural considerations, and further improvements to enable innovation and save costs down the line.
Buying cloud computing services takes different skills and strategies than those required for buying traditional IT. Are you ready to move to the cloud but looking for practical guidance? Not sure where to start? We're here to help you select the right acquisition approach.
We invite you to review our How to Buy Guide. Note that AWS specialists are available to meet with you to talk through procurement requirements for cloud services.
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How do I build a business case?
The path to the cloud is a journey that varies across the public sector. Fortunately, AWS has helped a multitude of customers achieve their goals at every stage of the journey.
While every path will be unique, there are common patterns, approaches, and best practices that can be implemented to streamline the process.
For more information:
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What's the best way to get started on my cloud journey?
You must first understand the value, priorities, and benefits of moving to the cloud:
- Describe the project
- Define expected benefits
- Outline project costs and anticipated savings, (you can use the AWS TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) Calculator and simple monthly cost calculator)
- Perform gap analysis
- Identify potential risks
- Identify workloads moving to the cloud
- Establish existing contract term end dates
- Secure budget approval
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When should I involve my key stakeholders?
It is important to involve all key stakeholders at an early stage, including:
- Procurement/Commercial
- Legal/Contracts
- Budget/Finance
- Security/Compliance
- Technical/IT
- Line of Business/Business Leadership
Open communication results in a clear understanding of how cloud adoption will influence existing practices. It also provides an opportunity to reset expectations regarding:- Schedule
- Risk management
- Security controls
- Compliance
- Spend
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What is the easiest way to understand the costs?
A clear understanding of your current costs is an important first step. This provides the baseline for defining the migration model that delivers optimal cost efficiency.
You will need to implement new work practices that drive efficiency and agility. This requires:
- Training IT, security, commercial, and legal staff on new skills
- Defining, understanding, and implementing new business processes
- Modifying existing business processes
- Implementing/enhancing operational, commercial, and security controls
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How do I compare the cost of cloud with my existing technology infrastructure?
These are two very different models. With the cloud, you can avoid costly upfront investments and instead pay only for the services you consume. It is important to take everything into consideration when understanding the costs. Your existing technology infrastructure may require upfront costs (think: operating expenses vs. capital expenditures); overhead from real estate, power, and cooling; and human resources for monitoring and maintaining equipment.
We recommend the following tools to assess the total cost of ownership of both models, and to visualize how cloud pricing works:
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What is the fastest path to cloud adoption?
Successful cloud adoption flows from well-designed procurement strategies and cloud-centric contract vehicles. Getting procurement right will lead to a portfolio of cloud technology and services that truly achieves the benefits of cloud computing. There are numerous alternatives for finding the correct approach for you, including:
- Using a Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Using an existing contract vehicle
- Making a Direct Purchase from AWS: (AWS Terms and Conditions would govern the sale.) Open an AWS account to begin using our services.
- Opting for an Indirect Purchase from an AWS Partner
AWS specialists are available to meet with you to talk through your procurement requirements for cloud services.
You can take the first step by viewing to the "How to Buy Cloud Computing Services for Your Agency" webinar. Please also visit the AWS Public Sector Contract Center.
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How do I get started with writing my requirements or an RFP?
When writing your requirements, do not be overly prescriptive. Instead, focus on desired outcomes. It is important to use flexible, evergreen language so that the contract is still current by the time it is approved. Successful cloud procurement strategies focus on functional and overall performance-based requirements. Avoid dictating the specific methods, hardware, equipment, or part numbers needed. Encourage vendors to recommend alternatives to deliver and/or improve the required services and outcomes you seek.
For more information:
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Can I use a contract vehicle?
As the adoption rate of cloud computing grows, many public sector entities have established approved publicly awarded contract vehicles to purchase cloud services. Taking advantage of existing contracts will help accelerate deployment.
There are many contract vehicles currently available for federal, national, state, and local governments, as well as for education. To get started:
- Visit the AWS Public Sector Contract Center
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Do I need a partner? If so, how do I find one that is a good fit?
The AWS Partner Network is a robust and comprehensive global partner program designed to help you grow and succeed. Having the right mix of business, consulting, and technology support in place makes it easier to purchase, deploy, adopt, and migrate workloads to the cloud.
- AWS Public Sector Partner Success Stories
- Find a Public Sector Partner best suited to your needs
- The AWS Marketplace offers 35 categories, and more than 4,000 software listings from more than 1,280 ISVs
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How do I pay for cloud computing?
While pricing for each AWS service varies, there are no complex dependencies or licensing requirements. For additional information on individual service pricing, please visit:
- Cloud Pricing Services
- Webinar: How to Buy Cloud Computing Services for Your Agency
- AWS TCO Calculator
- AWS Simple Monthly Calculator
AWS specialists are available to meet with you to talk through your procurement requirements for cloud services.
