Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. Sounds confusing but here is it in every man's language. The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the
Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server
or a personal computer
Cloud computing and storage solutions provide users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process their data in third-party data centers.It has taken off in recent years as individuals and small businesses have been quick to embrace the new technology, but for the most part, larger corporations have lagged behind.
For large corporations, cloud technology can have its pros and cons. Cost is generally a plus, as companies appreciate the flexibility of picking and choosing which features to implement. "Cost" can be tricky to compute, though, as companies must also consider additional expenses such as upgrading their purchased technology and paying engineers to maintain their cloud services. Renting cloud applications, even for a long period of time, may be cheaper than buying them outright.
Another consideration, especially for big businesses, is security.
"For every application, we look at whether the cloud can be used, and at that moment we look at all aspects, including security," Shell IT architect Johan Krebber said. "When all criteria are met, we will launch on the cloud, and therefore we believe that the cloud is secure enough for a number of scenarios."
While security is an issue for large corporations, executives are taking measures to limit the vulnerability of their networks. For one thing, they can work only with reputable vendors in their industries, and for another, they'll use cloud services only in a single, federated system.
Another problem is the fine print in end user licenses – for those with poorly-worded licenses, minor details could lead to major unforeseen costs, according to Gartner research director Darryl Carlton. But businesses have become more savvy in their deal-making to avoid these pitfalls, and it now appears that the benefits of the cloud outweigh the challenges.
All of the above are reasons for caution, but ultimately the trend continues, and more big businesses get behind the cloud movement each day.
Along with my career i happened to snoop around some firm's cloud facility well organized as what the cloud computing impresses. Being an intern i could not raise a tough suggestion on the same but just being a curious observer. Ihough all these the firm faced some unnoticeable challenges on the same.
Governance. The focus here was on aligning the cloud offerings with the needs of the departments. A new position, IT Manager, was to be created to ensure that departments received the functionality they needed. Heads of Departments could be given the responsibility for working with departmental units to develop the parameters need for sourcing the IT services required, whether in-office or through the cloud.
The entire IT strategy was to be guided by an executive, handfull Technology Steering Committee (on which IT could have just two votes, although the CIO does have veto power).
The benefits of the firms large scale integration of cloud computing extend beyond cost-efficiency and IT functionality, including the speed with which it can now upgrade its capabilities and respond to new IT needs. Through the cloud, the company could also do a much better job of predicting its IT expenses, in essence shifting IT costs from capital expenditure to operating expenditure.
Reskilling IT professionals. As more and more IT services are outsourced, the capabilities of in-house IT professionals must shift from a technical emphasis to an emphasis on structuring, brokering, coordinating and integrating services.
Careful management of data, especially clients data. The question is not just one of security. Who owns the data? Does the student registrar own the registration data? Should the finance data be restricted to the finance function? In the words of Allergan Sue-Jean Lin, the data needs to be “democratized” — that is, the enterprise, and not just separate functions, owns the data.
With these three challenges keenly looked at, cloud computing can be of great help in any firm whether small or big corporates.
Cloud computing and storage solutions provide users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process their data in third-party data centers.It has taken off in recent years as individuals and small businesses have been quick to embrace the new technology, but for the most part, larger corporations have lagged behind.
For large corporations, cloud technology can have its pros and cons. Cost is generally a plus, as companies appreciate the flexibility of picking and choosing which features to implement. "Cost" can be tricky to compute, though, as companies must also consider additional expenses such as upgrading their purchased technology and paying engineers to maintain their cloud services. Renting cloud applications, even for a long period of time, may be cheaper than buying them outright.
Another consideration, especially for big businesses, is security.
"For every application, we look at whether the cloud can be used, and at that moment we look at all aspects, including security," Shell IT architect Johan Krebber said. "When all criteria are met, we will launch on the cloud, and therefore we believe that the cloud is secure enough for a number of scenarios."
While security is an issue for large corporations, executives are taking measures to limit the vulnerability of their networks. For one thing, they can work only with reputable vendors in their industries, and for another, they'll use cloud services only in a single, federated system.
Another problem is the fine print in end user licenses – for those with poorly-worded licenses, minor details could lead to major unforeseen costs, according to Gartner research director Darryl Carlton. But businesses have become more savvy in their deal-making to avoid these pitfalls, and it now appears that the benefits of the cloud outweigh the challenges.
All of the above are reasons for caution, but ultimately the trend continues, and more big businesses get behind the cloud movement each day.
Along with my career i happened to snoop around some firm's cloud facility well organized as what the cloud computing impresses. Being an intern i could not raise a tough suggestion on the same but just being a curious observer. Ihough all these the firm faced some unnoticeable challenges on the same.
Governance. The focus here was on aligning the cloud offerings with the needs of the departments. A new position, IT Manager, was to be created to ensure that departments received the functionality they needed. Heads of Departments could be given the responsibility for working with departmental units to develop the parameters need for sourcing the IT services required, whether in-office or through the cloud.
The entire IT strategy was to be guided by an executive, handfull Technology Steering Committee (on which IT could have just two votes, although the CIO does have veto power).
The benefits of the firms large scale integration of cloud computing extend beyond cost-efficiency and IT functionality, including the speed with which it can now upgrade its capabilities and respond to new IT needs. Through the cloud, the company could also do a much better job of predicting its IT expenses, in essence shifting IT costs from capital expenditure to operating expenditure.
Reskilling IT professionals. As more and more IT services are outsourced, the capabilities of in-house IT professionals must shift from a technical emphasis to an emphasis on structuring, brokering, coordinating and integrating services.
Careful management of data, especially clients data. The question is not just one of security. Who owns the data? Does the student registrar own the registration data? Should the finance data be restricted to the finance function? In the words of Allergan Sue-Jean Lin, the data needs to be “democratized” — that is, the enterprise, and not just separate functions, owns the data.
With these three challenges keenly looked at, cloud computing can be of great help in any firm whether small or big corporates.
