As research demands grow and infrastructure ages, some institutions are turning to the public cloud to supplement or replace traditional on-prem systems. This talk shares the journey of launching a public cloud pilot for research computing at a small state university. We’ll explore the drivers behind the shift—including scalability, agility, and cost transparency—and walk through key decisions, from selecting a cloud provider to identifying test users. Drawing from real-world experience six months post-launch, we’ll cover what’s worked, what’s surprised us, and what we’re planning next. Attendees will leave with a practical roadmap and lessons learned to guide their own cloud adoption efforts—whether starting small or scaling up.
