Sean: With all the fancy introductions out of the way, welcome to the podcast, Andy.
Andy: Thanks, Sean. Great to be here.
Sean: Oh, the pleasure is all ours. Now, today we're talking about, let me make sure I get this right, because it's hard for me even to say, cloud diversification strategy. For all the people like me out there, could you explain what cloud diversification means in the context of PMMI's IT strategy?
Andy: In my mind, cloud diversification is about leveraging multiple cloud providers to meet our many diverse needs as organizations. We're not locked into one provider's ecosystem and one particular way of doing things. Often, I'm asked by other IT leaders, "Are you a Microsoft shop? Are you a Google shop?" This strategy posits that we shouldn't be any one shop, that we should weave together into a fabric the different approaches, providers, and solutions to meet the business' needs.
Sean: Basically, I understand why people would ask that question of why we wouldn't go all-in on one platform versus another, like Google or Microsoft. So why did PMMI adopt this approach, and what are the benefits compared to going all in on a traditional cloud strategy?
Andy: That's a great question, Sean. One of the biggest benefits of this strategy is risk mitigation. By diversifying between different cloud providers, we're avoiding single points of failure. It's the same challenge IT people have been trying to design away from for 15 or 20 years, back when all the servers sat in our closet. We've always been trying to get away from single points of failure, and when we moved to the cloud, it's sometimes difficult to realize that those same single points of failure can still exist if you're relying on just one cloud provider. This strategy has enabled us to avoid major global outages that could cause real business disruptions at PMMI. It also allows us to choose the best-in-class solutions for specific needs, whether it's email and collaboration, management tools, or CRM platforms. Instead of being locked into one provider’s ecosystem, we have the flexibility to tailor solutions to our stakeholders.
Sean: That makes complete sense. We've seen instances where a company's cloud goes down, causing massive disruptions. By diversifying, we're not putting all our eggs in one basket.
Andy: Exactly.
Sean: With that in mind, how does this work in practice, especially with PMMI's diverse needs?
Andy: It came through a process of digital transformation when we were replacing legacy technology with cloud-first solutions. For example, when we replaced our old network file shares, we considered several platforms and ultimately chose Box.com, even though we were already using Microsoft 365. Box provided the scalability and flexibility to meet the different needs of our teams, particularly since our fleet is split between Macs and Windows. Having a platform that supports both systems has improved collaboration and content sharing across our organization and with external partners.
The same applies when evaluating our phone and video conferencing needs. We looked at the best provider for each use case rather than defaulting to an existing ecosystem. As we transitioned from traditional infrastructure to the cloud, we engaged with business units, identified critical needs, and then selected the best providers based on those requirements rather than existing partnerships.
PMMI leverages all three major cloud providers—AWS, Microsoft, and Google—but for different purposes. This doesn’t mean we're immune to outages, but it reduces dependency on any single provider. Each platform has strengths that we utilize while maintaining the ability to innovate as they evolve.
Sean: You’ve highlighted the benefits, so shouldn’t PMMI members consider adopting a cloud diversification strategy as well?
Andy: Absolutely. Every organization should consider this approach. Look at the recent Microsoft outage where Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint were all down simultaneously. At PMMI, it was a minor disruption—some employees had trouble accessing email, but work continued via Zoom, Slack, and Box. This strategy serves both as risk mitigation and an innovation enabler.
Sean: What are the barriers to adopting this strategy, and how can they be overcome?
Andy: Complexity is a major concern. IT teams strive to minimize complexity, and adding multiple cloud providers can seem counterintuitive. However, while it might add some complexity, it ultimately saves money and reduces risk. Relying solely on Microsoft might look good on a budget sheet, but if an outage takes down your organization for a day and a half, that cost savings quickly evaporates. The perceived complexity is outweighed by the long-term benefits of risk reduction and cost control. Competition between providers also keeps pricing more competitive.
Sean: That leads to my next question: What steps can companies take to evaluate and begin implementing a cloud diversification strategy?
Andy: I’d encourage organizations to start with an inventory of their current systems and applications. Identify pain points, areas where providers aren’t meeting needs, or where there’s an over-reliance on a single provider. From there, take a systematic approach to digital transformation—replacing legacy technology with modern cloud solutions while prioritizing security and flexibility.
Sean: Speaking of security, how does it fit into PMMI’s cloud strategy?
Andy: Security is woven into everything we do. We implemented a cloud identity management solution called OneLogin, which replaced the legacy Active Directory model. Every employee and contractor has a unified identity that grants access to applications like Microsoft 365, Box, and Zoom. This centralizes security policies—such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication—across all applications, ensuring consistency and protection.
Sean: As someone using it, I can say it’s really easy for us. Was usability a key consideration?
Andy: Absolutely. While security was our priority, we also aimed to simplify access for staff. Previously, employees juggled multiple passwords, which led to frustration and lockouts. OneLogin enables single sign-on, meaning employees log in once and can access all necessary applications seamlessly throughout the day.
Sean: Looking at the bigger picture, how do you see these cloud and security innovations impacting manufacturing and packaging?
Andy: Cloud diversification and integrated security will enable manufacturers to innovate faster. Technologies like predictive maintenance and IoT rely on secure, flexible cloud solutions to function effectively at scale. OEMs must design infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and always available to support interconnected systems and analytics.
Sean: One last question—what advice would you give IT leaders looking to modernize their cloud and security strategies?
Andy: First, focus on alignment with business needs. Adopt technology that supports your organization's goals rather than chasing trends. Second, think of your tech landscape as a fabric—it should be flexible and resilient enough to withstand disruptions. Lastly, invest in security early, implementing a security-by-design approach with least-privilege access. Prioritizing security from the start ensures a stronger, more sustainable cloud infrastructure over time.
Sean: Awesome. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m sure our listeners will too. Thanks for joining us, Andy.
Andy: Thank you, Sean. It’s been a pleasure.
