Private, not proprietary, cloud computing
By Tanapong Ittisakulchai
Amid rising costs, a challenging economy and an explosion in Web-based data, IT experts expect continued high growth in cloud computing.
Cloud computing saves energy and operating costs by pooling information-technology (IT) resources, scaling up or down as needed, and putting computer power to use, rather than leaving it idle while it still draws energy.
Over the next decade, cloud computing is expected to transform the way in which IT is purchased, sourced and provisioned.
Companies can use the advanced technologies that cloud computing offers to exchange digital information around the world and across a variety of devices. They can quickly deploy new applications and meet peak workloads without adding to existing infrastructure. The autonomic features of cloud computing can be applied to predict harmful events, such as overheating or unbalanced workloads, and take corrective action. These are all advantages enabling companies under pressure to save time and money and to maintain a complex IT infrastructure while keeping their primary focus on the business.
Public or external cloud-based services, which receive most of the media attention, are available from a third-party service provider, via the Internet. On the other hand, cloud-computing platforms can also be private, and hybrid architectures also integrate both private and public platforms.
For IT users, cloud computing offers fast access to diverse types of information regardless of the type of device they are using, including laptops, smart phones, or PDAs. Technology users, including workers, partners and customers, want access to sophisticated applications that are as simple to use as self-service ATMs.
Where security is concerned, all companies need to maintain the security of their data. Some data may not be permitted to leave an enterprise or a specific geographic location. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate which workloads can be sourced through public clouds and which need to be kept in-house and delivered through private clouds. A strategy working for some companies is to begin with private cloud-computing solutions in order to evaluate the results in a controlled environment.
Private clouds remain behind firewalls in order to maintain privacy and security. Companies are able to establish security protocols, carefully monitoring the levels of access to information that is available for exchange. Access can be limited to internal networks, such as employees, then evaluated before being expanded to other limited networks, for example, business partners. Private clouds can be managed without network-bandwidth restrictions, security exposure and the regulatory-compliance issues of public clouds. Customizing cloud services and determining best practices is a smart way to increase the productivity of sales teams and off-site employees.
No matter whether the clouds are private or public, companies need to begin with trusted; secure foundations in order to build the most secure, efficient, and resilient cloud-services platform. Some companies may be tempted to begin with the user interface. However, beginning with the underlying infrastructure is a better strategy for long-term success, especially if there may be a future need to integrate public and private clouds.
Industry standards are still developing, but they will solidify as the technologies mature and more enterprises use cloud services. Right now, companies may find the best strategy is to opt for cloud services that are interoperable and based on open technologies.
Whether public, private or hybrid, a major driver of cloud computing is the need for companies to get new ideas, products and services to market faster, and continually innovate to meet global competition.
Cloud computing delivers more advanced technology within a simpler, cost-effective infrastructure. It creates a flexible, robust infrastructure to serve the needs of today’s economy, where knowledge flows to countries and regions wherever IT infrastructures are reliable and responsive.
about 4 months ago
Yes, Cloud and SaaS will transform IT this century. Huge changes will undergo the next years and only larger companies will have their own on “premise” IT.
Most companies will leverage applications from SaaS providers either directly or through local Cloud providers who will also provide the infrastructure like PC’s, communication and security.
Any company will need to understand their security requirement (privacy, confidentiality and other security and governance requirement) and map these requirements up against the offerings from the Cloud/SaaS providers before using their services.
There will be similar offerings but with different price, differentiated around services like security. Tools are required to help the customers select the right offerings to an optimal price but yet secure and reliable as dictated by business, security and governance requirements.
Bjarne Rasmussen
CA