It is therefore obvious that we do not come with a product, but set our focus on the processes. Even though many IT vendors promote cloud computing as 'revolution', without convergence of vision and purpose the gap between business and IT will not be closed. The only real revolution is that today the business determine what applications and services are needed. And as result of the many delivery models it has a huge choice.
As there is pressure to reduce costs the demand for more ICT has been increased. This creates a tension between business and IT. Certainly those organization that see IT as a facility therefore consider outsourcing. But without a possibility to integrate technology with existing business, this option is almost always woefully overestimated. Because ultimately the management disciplines from the days of monolithic systems remains similar for the new delivery models provided by Cloud Computing.
Outsourcing your problems or technology
As it already was a struggle in the traditional client-server models with relatively isolated systems, when application landscapes are linked inside, outside and between organizations it definitely will not become easier. Finally one of the biggest pain points is ultimately in defining strategic and operational delivery of IT services. Resulting in the same problems where specialized and the so scarce resources are often not available when needed. Or perhaps the business objectives change during the contract which both result in increasing cost as result of the many (project) changes.
Whether the marketing surrounding cloud computing has been guided by the representation of Internet infrastructure drawings I do not know. But that cloud represent the volatility and often uncontrollable nature of the communication in these drawings. This is one of the risks that make this solution less suitable for critical services. Loss of connectivity on the part of the user or provider means that the services are no longer available. Another factor is the security and integrity of the data. Both are addressed with the 'Private Cloud' which leave complete control over the data, security and quality. This is ultimately not so revolutionary but simply a change of technology and that's usually not the answer business requires.
Of course these Private Cloud's can be hosted somewhere else but this often appears similar to the time when IT departments retreated behind a door with a code. This door has been replaced by contracts resulting in disappointng quality increases and afterall less costs reduction. The core of the problem here is mainly in the reconciliation between parties. So you can outsource the technology but not your problems.
Forget the cloud
The concept of Cloud Computing has definitely benefits but who sit still now will miss these. Even it's all about the service, ultimately the applications are the issues. The final choice is thus largely determined by control of the application landscape. And it seems likely that not all of a sudden these will be migrated into the 'Cloud'.
Cloud Computing will therefore primarily be used as an extension of existing infrastructures. Meaning we slowly shift to a hybrid enterprise that applications can use. It is therefore advisable to first start by setting up a consistent management layer that incorporate the new delivery models to retain control. Don't forget the concept of Cloud Computing allows applications not only to be switched between systems but also to travel between data centers, which means that it is sometimes out of reach of the fixed service provider
The pre-tuning of the various management disciplines ultimately provides a better control over the application landscape in a hybrid enterprise. And possible outsourcing, like extension to 'Hosted' or 'Public' Cloud can also be made by more clear specifications. This maintains the autonomy largely intact so that full advantage of economic benefits of the Cloud can be purchased.
Most 'Cloud stacks' are largely technological solutions, and certainly not commodity. So maybe we, just like the client-server model, going to consolidate all these different cloud solutions within a number of years back to monolithic systems. But who keep control over the application landscape can shift between these technologies and extend the choice of 'doing-it-yourself' or outsourcing into a supply and demand question. So stop moving your problems into the cloud and start to benefit from the technology.
Obviously the hybrid enterprise includes more than described above. Such as the aspect of 'application portability' for instance. Or the coordination between all parties who use IT services or supplying them. More information can be found at: http://www.slideshare.net/edekkinga/hybride-cloud-strategy
No comments:
Post a Comment