Cloud computing is full of tremendous opportunity, but is also riddled with hype and confusion. Business and technology leaders know the cloud is essential, but they lack clarity and experience. To the Cloud cuts through the noise and addresses the Why, What, and How of enterprise cloud adoption. This unique guide lays out a four-step framework, leveraging the experience and best practices of Microsoft's own IT group. The book delivers end-to-end business and technology guidance, describing how to analyze application portfolios to identify good cloud candidates, choose the right cloud models, consider architecture and security, and understand how shifting operations to the cloud affects budgeting and staffing. Applicable to all cloud platforms and providers, this practical resource debunks myths, revealing that real clouds are more than just web hosting, virtualization, or the Internet itself rebranded. It takes a balanced approach, addressing concerns and hybrid adoption scenarios alike. Based on the authors' proven expertise working for Microsoft's CIO on cloud migration and with cloud platform development teams, the book is supported by clear frameworks, graphics, tables, summaries, and checklists to provide a true practitioner's guide to the cloud. To the Cloud helps you: Explore cloud computing to understand its promise and challenges. Envision how cloud computing can transform your organization. Enable your organization with the necessary resources and skills. Execute the design, development, and operation of cloud workloads. To the Cloud is essential for IT professionals seeking to lower total cost of ownership, improve the return on IT investment of existing services, and help the business bring new products to market more quickly.