Cloud Architecture Background
Principal Cloud & AI Architect

Cloud decisionsyou can defend

I partner with European enterprises to bring clarity to cloud and AI — through pragmatic architecture, cost governance, and outcomes that speak for themselves.

Trusted in regulated environments — outcomes you can defend

UN AgencyEuropean BankEnterprise & SaaS Platforms
Book a CallGet a clear roadmap — no sales pitch
Iulian Mihai - Cloud AI Architecture Logo

Trusted by Leading Organizations

Delivering cloud transformation across industries worldwide

Typical outcomes (anonymized)

30% lower cloud spend65% better cost visibility4× faster deployments70% faster knowledge retrieval

UN Agency

European Bank

Global Automotive

Enterprise & SaaS Platforms

Telecom Leader

Industrial Manufacturing

United Nations
Ford
Solutio
ilunion
GFT
Zurich
UNDP
OHCHR
IAM Madrid
Interex Group
Deutsche Bank
NTT DATA
MEM.Zone
Solvia
DWS
WTO
UNHCR
Santa Lucía
Tokiota
CMV Consultores

15+

Years Experience

50+

Enterprise Projects

6+

Industries Served

€8M+

Cloud Savings Delivered

Verified certifications

Credentials you can rely on

Cloud architecture, DevOps, and platform credentials validated by Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, and CNCF.

MicrosoftAzure Solutions Architect ExpertMicrosoftAzure DevOps Engineer ExpertAWSSolutions Architect ProfessionalGoogle CloudProfessional Cloud ArchitectCNCFCertified Kubernetes Administrator
Meet Your Advisor

Get to Know Me Before We Work Together

In this short video, I share my background, approach, and what makes our collaboration different. Whether you're evaluating cloud strategy, AI implementation, or digital transformation — this will help you understand how I can help.

4 min watch
Background, Approach, Services

Good fit if you need

  • A senior architect to de-risk cloud and AI decisions
  • Clear governance and an executable roadmap
  • Fast alignment across leadership and engineering

Not ideal if you’re looking for

  • A full-time developer for day-to-day delivery
  • Short-term “quick fixes” without stakeholder alignment
  • Pure staff augmentation with no ownership

Platforms & focus

Microsoft AzureAWSGoogle CloudVMwareHyper-VTerraformKubernetesFinOpsZero TrustLLMs
Who I Work With

I Partner With Leaders Under Pressure

Business consultants are hired by specific people with specific struggles. Here's who I help.

CEOs & Founders

Whose technology is limiting growth or creating competitive disadvantage

Private Equity Firms

Needing to modernize portfolio companies quickly and maximize exit value

COOs & CFOs

Struggling with operational costs, inefficiency, or IT budget overruns

CTOs & CIOs

Who need to execute a turnaround strategy without disrupting the business

How I Work

A Partner, Not a Permanent Contractor

I work with struggling companies to deliver results — then hand you the keys.

01

Assess

2 weeks

Business & technology audit to identify blockers, risks, and quick-win opportunities.

02

Strategize

1 week

Co-create a 90-day roadmap aligned with business goals, not just tech trends.

03

Execute

Ongoing

Hands-on implementation with your team, delivering quick wins and long-term foundation.

04

Transfer

Final phase

Build internal capability so you own the solution, not me. No vendor lock-in.

Business Problems I Solve

For companies under pressure to modernize, compete, and grow

Latest Insights

From the Blog

Practical insights on cloud architecture, AI integration, and enterprise transformation.

View all articles
Datacenter corridor — representing the infrastructure discipline required by production agentic AI
AI Architecture
Listen
Apr 7, 202610 min read

Agentic AI in Production: Where Most Architectures Break

The more useful your AI becomes, the more dangerous it becomes. After reviewing and building agentic systems across regulated industries, here are the architecture patterns that survive security review, audit, and production scale — and the ones that don’t.

Read article
Agentic AI in Production: Where Most Architectures Break
0:00 / 8:45
Cloud architecture consulting — when to hire an expert
Cloud Architecture
Mar 28, 20267 min read

When to Hire a Cloud Architect — and What to Look For

Cloud bills growing faster than revenue? Compliance deadline looming? Migration stuck? Here are 7 signs you need a cloud architect, what they actually do vs. a DevOps engineer, and the 5 questions that separate a great hire from a costly mistake.

Read article
Workshops & Briefings

Workshops & Executive Briefings

High-impact, on-site or remote sessions designed for CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, architects, and cross-functional teams.

Executive Briefings

½ day

Strategic clarity for leadership

Deep Dive Workshops

1 day

Hands-on architecture sessions

Assessments

1-2 weeks

Comprehensive evaluations

☁️

Cloud Strategy

🤖

AI & LLMs

🔐

Zero Trust Security

💰

FinOps

🏗️

Azure Landing Zones

🌍

Multi-Cloud

🌍 Remote🇪🇺 On-site Europe
Client Testimonials

What Colleagues & Clients Say

Trusted by engineers, architects, and leaders at Fortune 500 companies and international organizations.

Iulian has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise and leadership throughout his career, which spans over 10 years in the field of cloud architecture and solutions. His extensive experience encompasses designing and implementing complex cloud infrastructures across multiple platforms.
RN

Rares Negrea

Principal Exadata Support Engineer

Oracle

I am pleased to provide a strong recommendation for Iulian as a Cloud Architecture Consultant. During his tenure, Iulian has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise and strategic insight in the field of cloud architecture.
IP

Ioan Popovici

System Analyst | Enterprise Mobility

MEM.Zone

"Ridiculously efficient" and "Knowledgeable of everything related to web applications" are the phrases that come to mind when I think about Iulian. I am particularly impressed with how efficient Iulian is responding to my requests, how good his recommendations about setup and architecture of a web application are.
EC

Edward Carandang

Developer

World Trade Organization

Questions Business Leaders Ask

What CEOs, CFOs, and board members want to know before engaging

I translate complex technology into business outcomes. You won't hear jargon — you'll hear ROI, risk reduction, and competitive advantage. I've presented to boards at Fortune 500 companies and UN agencies, so I understand what leadership needs: clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.
Most engagements deliver measurable results within 90 days: 20-40% reduction in cloud costs, 50% faster deployment cycles, or elimination of critical security gaps. I'll identify your quick wins during the initial assessment and build them into the roadmap.
I work alongside your existing teams, not around them. We start with low-risk, high-impact changes to build momentum and confidence. No 'big bang' migrations — just steady progress with clear milestones. Your business keeps running while we modernize.
I specialize in companies under pressure — whether it's runaway IT costs, competitive threats, regulatory deadlines, or digital transformation that's stalled. If you're feeling stuck, that's exactly when outside expertise delivers the most value.
Three things: I actually implement, not just advise. I transfer knowledge so you're not dependent on me. And I work at a fraction of the cost without the junior consultant rotation. You get 15+ years of hands-on experience, not a fresh MBA reading from a playbook.
I've architected solutions for Deutsche Bank, the United Nations, and other highly regulated organizations. I understand GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and industry-specific requirements. Security and compliance are built into every recommendation, not bolted on afterward.
That's common and manageable. Part of my approach is building your internal capability over time. I can work with whatever team you have — or help you hire the right people. The goal is always to leave you stronger, not dependent.
Yes — and I'll help you avoid the hype. As co-founder of an AI automation company (MEM.Zone), I know what works in production versus what's just demos. I'll identify where AI can actually drive revenue or reduce costs for your specific business.
It varies by scope: Strategy assessments take 2-4 weeks. Implementation projects typically run 3-6 months. Some clients keep me on retainer for ongoing advisory. I'm flexible — the goal is results, not billable hours.
Book a 30-minute strategy call. We'll discuss your challenges, I'll share initial observations, and you'll leave with at least one actionable insight — whether we work together or not. No sales pitch, just a real conversation about your business.

Stay Ahead in Cloud & AI

Monthly insights on cloud architecture, AI innovation, and digital transformation. No spam, just valuable content from 15+ years of enterprise experience.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

Ready to Turn Technology Into a Competitive Advantage?

Let's discuss how to reduce costs, accelerate growth, and build the technology foundation your business needs to compete.