Here are 10 important aspects of Cloud computing according to eWeek print article titled “10 things you should know now about Cloud Storage and Computing”.
1) Public/ Private Clouds: Cloud computing will not replace current IT infrastructure in a company but will morph into a mix of public and private cloud. Most enterprises will take advantage of existing resource and will learn to bifurcate their infrastructure into private and public cloud.
2) Cloud application: Cloud computing is ideally suited for pre-production workload like testing and development. Organisations can take advantage of cloud infrastructure to build robust applications.
3) One Size doesn’t fit all: Cloud computing should be built to take into account company’s specific business challenges and needs. Just as ERP does not solve all the organisations business problem, cloud computing and storage will not solve all the business issues
4) Cloud IT Strategy: Cloud computing is an important part of a company’s IT Strategy. This means that IT organisations needs to spend quality time to make sure that their ‘cloud’ strategy should be in alignment with IT Strategy and Business Strategy.
5) Planning: Sophisticated system management platform need to set up and cloud computing needs a viable management plan.
6) Delivery model, not a black box: Important thing to recognise is that cloud computing is a delivery model, not a technology. It is a combination of some known mature technologies (like SaaS) has helped to create a paradigm shift in how IT is delivered.
7) Not just for small players: Cloud computing is not meant for only SME (small and medium enterprises) only. Similar to SaaS delivery model initially attracted capital strapped SMEs so is cloud computing.
8) Self –service capacity: Cloud computing will help propel ‘self service’ capability just as ATM did for banking industry.
9) Standardising business model: Cloud computing is not just about improving efficiencies by maximising capital expenses and reducing operating expenses. It can help drive standardisation of business process within organisations and across organisations.
10) Choose the right workload: IT management need to develop capability to understand merits and demerits of cloud and use it for the right workload.