INSIGHT T - Systems: A European Leader in Cloud Mette Ahorlu IDC OPINION T-Systems embarked on cloud long before it was called cloud its Dynamic Services portfolio, which was invented as transformational outsourcing, is a hosted private cloud model, and very successful. IDC EMEA, 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AE, U.K. Tel.+44.20.8987.7100 www.idc.com T-Systems is market leading in cloud in Europe today, especially in the area of hosted private cloud and in bringing cloud into outsourcing deals. It has an extensive portfolio of migration solutions/tools and can run a vast range of business applications in the private cloud. Its experience in both operations and migration is unrivalled in Europe, and its growth looks set to continue. IDC expects hosted private cloud and managed IaaS in service provider secure environments to grow very fast in Europe, and while competitors hold back because of worries about protecting their installed base of outsourcing clients and the cloud cannibalizing existing revenue streams, private cloud has become a growth driver for T-Systems. T-Systems' position in managed IaaS is not as strong as in hosted private cloud and as we believe this will be the next wave of cost savings that enterprises will ask for, T-Systems needs to watch out and be ready for this wave. Today, we see managed IaaS with privately licensed applications mainly for less critical applications than SAP, but with the pace of cloud market development, we believe this will change soon, and T-Systems should be careful not to be caught out by its own success. T-Systems has some very interesting initiatives in what it calls Intelligent Network solutions, which we see more as BPaaS (business process as a service) such as telemedicine and connected car. A partnership approach where T-Systems delivers the IT side connectivity, network, application, data management, security etc., as well as operation and the partner delivers the industry-specific part of the solution and "content," could be the company's answer to declining traditional services revenue as cloud increases in popularity. Filing Information: March 2011, IDC #QL54T, Volume: 1, Tab: Vendors European Datacenter Life-Cycle Services: Insight
IN THIS INSIGHT This IDC Insight looks at T-Systems' strategy and offerings in the cloud and how the company has managed to create a leading position for itself in private cloud in Europe. SITUATION OVERVIEW T-Systems invented its Dynamic Services model in 2004. Dynamic Services is effectively what is today called private hosted cloud: a hosted virtualized infrastructure, automated, and with high scalability and flexibility, with user selfservice in terms of scaling capacity up and down and a pay-per-use model. Dynamic Services was first implemented for SAP solutions as a way to run SAP hosting efficiently. This model quickly proved attractive to clients because of cost reductions and increased quality of service. T-Systems now has more than 500 clients on its Dynamic Services for SAP platform, and has enhanced Dynamic Services to cover other software packages. Lately T-Systems' cloud offering has been enhanced with offerings such as IaaS (infrastructure as a service) and a few applications available as a service. T - Systems' Cloud Strategy T-Systems sees Dynamic Services and cloud as a means to make IT flexible, agile, and first of all cost efficient. Running IT is, in T-Systems' view, not a strategic task for enterprises it should be outsourced. Dynamic Services is a cost-efficient outsourcing solution a hosted managed private infrastructure with managed or unmanaged traditionally licensed applications on top. For T-Systems, cloud is very much about infrastructure and about operations, and Dynamic Services represents a high stage of maturity of outsourced IT operation. Dynamic Services has been well received in the market, and T-Systems has been very successful selling the flagship Dynamic Services for SAP. Shell, MAN, and Philips are some of the big clients, but there are many others, and while competitors have started to win outsourcing deals with cloud components, T-Systems has more or less won all deals that include SAP hosting in Germany over the last few years (and not only in Germany Shell and Philips are Dutch, and there are other non-german clients too). IDC estimates that revenue from Dynamic Services will exceed 500 million in 2011. Anecdotally, a competitor told IDC early in 2010 that it would barely bother to bid for outsourcing deals in Germany as "T-Systems is sweeping up everything." T-Systems' strategy follows several lines: Aggressively moving existing clients to Dynamic Services and winning new clients through continued expansion of solutions available in the cloud and development of additional tools for cloud migration Creation of community clouds with innovative industry-specific solutions based on T-Systems' cloud 2 #QL54T 2011 IDC
Intelligent Network solutions: partnerships with companies in other industries to deliver consumer-oriented cloud-based solutions AaaS (applications as a service) offering in the public cloud together with Deutsche Telekom; the core offering is Microsoft BPOS The short-term focus is Dynamic Services, which is where business is booming today. T-Systems believes private cloud is the right response to enterprise requirements for security, fall-back options, integration of legacy ICT, control of data, SLAs, and compliance. T-Systems' strategy is to migrate the business applications to hosted private cloud environments (though it will also support building of on-premises solutions). The key differentiator is that T-Systems has long experience, and that it is not only "lightweight" solutions supporting self-contained processes, but core highlycustomized business applications that are the focus. Interestingly T-Systems is now widening the perspective and is looking to provide more Microsoft solutions in the private cloud. Dynamic Services is based on standard hardware, VMware virtualization, and cloud software using T-Systems' own dynamic platform (AppCom) to migrate and run the applications in the cloud. T-Systems is keenly aware that Dynamic Services has given it a headstart, but that it is only a matter of time before competitors have these offerings as well. T-Systems has developed more than 160 templates, or "plugs," to migrate and operate standard applications in the cloud, and although this number includes variations and releases of the same application (not 160 different apps) it is more than any competitor can offer. But competitors are going down that route as well, so T-Systems must continue to bring new solutions to the table to keep its leading edge, and continued investment in portfolio development is a key element of the company's strategy. T - Systems' Cloud Offering T-Systems' portfolio shows the company's way into cloud: very strong in private hosted cloud, less robust offerings in other areas. 2011 IDC #QL54T 3
TABLE 1 T - Systems' Cloud Offering, March 2011 Main Offerings Cloud Readiness Services Detailed Offerings Consulting and Assessments Migration and Integration Dynamic services for Infrastructure IaaS Unified Comms Standard x86 and midrange platforms Desktop as a Service Applications, BPOS/Office 365 Dynamic Services for... Collaboration and messaging CRM SAP Other applications Source: IDC, 2011 Dynamic Services for "xxx" ("xxx" being various applications such as Siebel, BizTalk, Java, etc., and some infrastructure solutions) hosted and managed private cloud is the core of T-Systems' offering. And private means private only the basic level of resources such as network backbone and access are shared, while servers and storage are dedicated. Dynamic Services is transformational outsourcing to operations in a highly mature infrastructure, and with cloud payment, self-service etc. IaaS, a (public) shared infrastructure service but with approval of access by T- Systems. Although labeled Dynamic Services for Infrastructure it is much more basic than other Dynamic Services as it is unmanaged. The IaaS was launched in March 2011 and only has a limited number of software choices on top. It is seen more as a complement to the outsourcing services, as a response to client requests for raw capacity but with enterprise security. The IaaS will be complemented by a PaaS offering. AaaS (applications as a service), industry-specific cloud-based applications such as "KinderGarten" (an administrative application for kindergardens) but also solutions for the automotive industry, the health sector, and law firms. The community area is where T-Systems expects fastest growth in the future. The community clouds currently only offer SaaS, but we also expect to see IaaS, PaaS, and BPaaS in the future. 4 #QL54T 2011 IDC
Professional services "Cloud Readiness Services" including: Cloud Readiness Assessment: Analysis of "Current Mode of Operation," definition of "Future Mode of Operation," and a business case based creation of strategy and roadmap. The assessment offerings are very similar to what competitors offer. Cloud Migration and Integration: Branded "Fit for Dynamic Services," this offering is one of T-Systems' core differentiating offers cost-effective models for migration to cloud (see next point about T-Systems' tools). Cloud Optimization further consulting and integration activities. Migration and operation tools. Through its seven-year history with Dynamic Services, T-Systems has developed a wide range of tools for standardized, costeffective migration to and operation of specific applications in the cloud, the socalled "plugs." T-Systems has more than 160 plugs as of March 2011 and plans to develop more. The decision on when to develop a new plug is based on expectations for repeated requests for this specific plug. If T-Systems doesn't have a plug for a specific application, and doesn't expect a need for other clients, it will either suggest a migration of the application to another software package (this will typically be a newer version of the same software) or suggest keeping the application in a traditional hosted environment. Professional services for building on-premises clouds. T-Systems says it has had engagements of this type, though only a few. It believes this type of engagement typically goes to technology providers, but also believes that this market will be relatively limited in Europe. Security services. Security is a key concern related to the cloud, and a major focus for T-Systems and European enterprises. It has accommodated Dynamic Services solutions also for clients with very unusual security requirements, and sees its security expertise as a key differentiator. SaaS offering in public cloud. T-Systems currently offers BPOS but will enhance the portfolio. It has a strategic partnership with Microsoft and is developing a blueprint for Microsoft's Office 365. T-Systems also provides secure application platforms for the public cloud IT offerings to 3.2 million German business customers together with Deutsche Telekom. FUTURE OUTLOOK T-Systems is currently (March 2011) the unrivalled leader in private cloud in Europe, and the envy of competitors. It has some major differentiators, but also some challenges ahead, and its ability to act on these will determine whether it can keep its leading position as cloud becomes increasingly shared. Differentiators Vast experience in private cloud migration and operation. Having more than 500 clients on its Dynamic Services, some with almost seven years of history with T-Systems. No service provider can beat that in Europe. 2011 IDC #QL54T 5
Extensive reference base of high-profile companies like Shell, MAN, and Phillips. In early 2011, Shell signed another very large deal with T-Systems for private cloud in a new area Dynamic Services for Collaboration. Number of applications for which T-Systems has created "plugs." This vastly exceeds competitors' capabilities. With more than 160 plugs, T-Systems can run almost anything in the private cloud (the exception being nonvirtualizable applications). Some large clients have migrated hundreds of legacy applications to Dynamic Services, not using templates, so a relatively expensive transformation, but giving T-Systems extensive experience in migration. Security certification of compliance with German security regulations and extensive experience in building relevant security levels into cloud operations. T- Systems will benefit from this demonstrated capability when moving to new areas such as telemedicine, which will include public cloud applications handling highly sensitive data applications. The security record will also be key to the creation of industry-specific communities, with participants that share some interests but are in reality competitors. SAP operation in the cloud. T-Systems has offered Dynamic Services for SAP for more than five years, although it was not certified by SAP until summer 2010 (due to SAP not starting to certify service providers for cloud operations until then). IBM and CSC were certified to host SAP in the cloud late in 2010. Certification of competitors will create more competition for T-Systems, but the reference client base and long history as SAP cloud provider will remain a differentiator. IaaS made in Germany. IaaS differentiates itself by being "enterprise class" hosted out of German datacenters, providing a defined quality of service (SLAbased), and other security measures. IaaS is currently not a key differentiator for T-Systems. We see IaaS as a relatively immature offering, but expect enhancements, especially around integration with the private cloud. As of March 2011 it is more of a "me too" offering, which you can also find from HP, IBM, CSC, and other service providers and in the public cloud version from Google and Amazon, although T-Systems' network ownership can guarantee end-to-end secure availability. Community clouds. The next step on the way to public cloud, these are also in the early stages, centered around a few specific applications. T-Systems has for the time being only a few communities kindergardens, law firms, and the automotive industry so it is not really ahead of the competition in this area, but needs to expand the offering in the existing communities and create new community offerings to increase share of wallet with existing clients and attract new clients to the communities. Intelligent Networks: BPaaS. T-Systems works with German companies in the areas of telemedicine, smart grids, connected cars, and media/content distribution to develop consumer-oriented solutions. Competitors are doing so as well, but the partnership approach differentiates T-Systems. T-Systems will provide and operate the platform network, transmission, security, data management, and billing and the partner provides the content. The partnership approach will appeal, for instance, to the public sector and utilities and others that want to brand the service and have a strong hand in the content side instead of a full BPO solution or simply buying an IT solution. Secondly the 6 #QL54T 2011 IDC
standardized platform approach will make it easier for T-Systems to reuse its capabilities in other solutions, and thirdly the transaction-based pricing model creates a continuous revenue stream. Network ownership through Deutsche Telekom. The access to and expertise in network operation that comes with the telco heritage is a major differentiator for cloud. Integration of IT and network, and integrated management of the two, are critical for end-to-end management and enterprise class/carrier class operation. T-Systems has both capabilities in-house, and is probably the only telecom that has such a well-balanced telco and IT expertise for cloud. Challenges Service quality. Operating cloud infrastructures requires even higher service levels than traditional infrastructures. This puts the service delivery organization under pressure, and robust tools and procedures must be in place. With fast migration of many clients to the cloud and rapid expansion of the outsourcing business following many new wins, the risk is that quality of service suffers. New resources need to be brought in, capital is required, etc. Special focus on the transition period is needed, and we get the impression that some of the recent board restructuring relates to a need to step up on service quality. As competitors catch up with T-Systems' core cloud offering, a dip in quality could have drastic consequences. This challenge is not specific to T-Systems, but relates generally to companies experiencing fast growth. Global presence. T-Systems' global presence is not uniformly spread across all countries, with much more density in Europe than in other regions, and this could be a barrier to growth. Through its global contracts it has established a presence in the Americas and Asia/Pacific, for example, but mainly to serve its Europebased multinational clients. T-Systems has some international flagships Shell, Philips, BP but brand recognition outside core territories is limited. We believe the strong relationship with SAP can help. Private cloud will be subject to price pressure. Private cloud is growing rapidly and T-Systems is at the forefront. But competitors are rapidly entering this space, leading to increased price competition, and in parallel acceptance of public cloud will increase and offer much cheaper price points, making it more difficult to keep up price points for private cloud. Managed IaaS. Potentially with application management of the privately licensed applications on top. T-Systems does not have an offering today and is not a leader in this field, though IDC would expect the company to launch a managed offering in which much of its experience from private cloud can be reused. T- Systems needs to continue the push to newer delivery models in order to keep its leading position, though this will cannibalize its first-wave cloud revenue. Price and margin pressure on infrastructure services. Infrastructure services will become a commodity and see strong consolidation around a few players. Will T-Systems/Deutsche Telekom (DT) be one of those? It could well be so, but despite its overall size as one of the world's largest telcos, DT also has an uneven global presence, which will work against its ability to grab this role. No doubt the vision is there, but it will take a lot of work. 2011 IDC #QL54T 7
Shift to application and business process focus. The application and business process areas are where profits will come in the future. This requires a different mindset, and the application focus is not traditionally T-Systems' strength the systems integration business, for example, has suffered for many years (but is now recovering). T-Systems has industry expertise in car manufacturing, health, and utilities, but even in these areas its core focus is on the parts with infrastructure-heavy requirements. From both an internal mindset transformation and market awareness perspective, this transition will be challenging. BPaaS seems to be a good choice as it builds on the company's operational capabilities. Conclusion T-Systems is the market leader for hosted private cloud in Europe, which is the dominant approach to large-scale cloud among European enterprises. T-Systems is in fact driving this market, not just reacting to customer requests. This creates huge potential for future growth. The short-term challenge will be to keep up quality of service for its clients while expanding so fast. The challenge is to keep up the pace. T-Systems is after all a small company compared with giants like IBM and HP, and it will be difficult to keep the leading position as competitors turn their heads in T-Systems' direction. The good thing is that T-Systems has nothing to lose, and is therefore not up against any internal ambiguity toward cloud. We find that for the next cloud wave managed IaaS (such as SAP hosted in an IaaS environment) T-Systems needs to step up its activities to retain its leading position in "corporate IT in the cloud." The ultimate challenge will be to reinvent the company to provide additional services in the cloud applications and business processes as a service. We think T- Systems has a very interesting model, and already has some interesting partnerships in place, which will help on the way. It is too early to say how well T-Systems will do in this area, as the market is still in its infancy with just occasional trials around Europe, but we believe the company is well on the way. In summary, while the future is not without challenges, the company is well positioned for both short- and long-term growth it is a provider that enterprises need to consider when moving to cloud, and one that competitors need to watch closely. 8 #QL54T 2011 IDC
Copyright Notice This IDC research document was published as part of an IDC continuous intelligence service, providing written research, analyst interactions, telebriefings, and conferences. Visit www.idc.com to learn more about IDC subscription and consulting services. To view a list of IDC offices worldwide, visit www.idc.com/offices. Please contact the IDC Hotline at 800.343.4952, ext. 7988 (or +1.508.988.7988) or sales@idc.com for information on applying the price of this document toward the purchase of an IDC service or for information on additional copies or Web rights. Copyright 2011 IDC. Reproduction is forbidden unless authorized. All rights reserved. 2011 IDC #QL54T 9