(1 votes, average: 10 out of 10)
Loading ...Final Thoughts on Cloud Computing
Ok. So it seems Blogging Idols like to discuss wireless more than clouds - its not only cloudy, its lightning and thunder as I write this - I hope the power doesn’t go off in Toronto!
That, of course, brings up an analogy for cloud computing but that’s not what I was thinking for this post. I wanted to go back to the questions listed in the original topic annoucement for cloud computing before moving on to our last topic - blogging itself.
First of all, I went out and bought Nicholas Carr’s book The Big Switch and have started reading it. So far, I’ve only got through a couple of chapters, and the jury is still out as far as I am concerned. I see his comparisons and do agree there is an interesting direction. But cloud computing can’t just be application hosting, it has to be Services-as-a-Service (Services on Demand, generic SOA, virtual applications might be other names). And I can’t see this becoming standardized to the point of being like water or electricity or roads, at least in the short term. What is more likely is more seamless computing that includes personal, enterprise and public/industrial Services, all of which cooperate.
Q1: Is cloud computing a natural progression of the outsourcing trend? Perhaps, but will there be only one cloud or many? How will cloud providers compete and how will they make the cloud better than what we have today (other than less expensive due to increased sharing)? I think its perhaps not a “progression” but a complement to existing computing resources.
Q2: How quickly could (or should) such a shift take place? Probably as fast as the providers can convince the buyers that they can meet Service Level Agreement requirements for the “abilities” - securability, manageability, availability, capability, integratability, quality, etc.
Q3: What does it mean for the traditional IT professional? What is an IT professional anyway - we talked about that before! Probably means they will change jobs and focus. But since it won’t happen over-night and people will grow into it, it probably won’t have a huge impact. Even with outsourcing, my guess is that the total number of IT jobs didn’t decrease.
Q4: What challenges must cloud providers overcome before this type of service is predominant? Security and reliability were mentioned. I’d suggest we could look at almost all of the ITIL areas - Change Management, Cnfiguraiton Management, Release Management, Financial Management, etc. to see how many challenges there are.
Q5: Will Google become the Microsoft of the cloud computing universe? One question to ask is whether “cloud computing” is a distinct market segment and has Google already become the “gorilla” (see www.thechasmgroup.com). Given that Google doesn’t own the Internet, we would have to understand what gives them a sustainable edge in cloud computing, and whether that is only in the USA or worldwide.
The above are just a few added thoughts, hopefully to spark some additional debate. Enjoy!
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June 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
This is a good post in my opinion. Answering to your 5th question, I would say that Google is the next Microsoft unless they try to figure out something drastic and start taking charge of the internet.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
It is unfortunate that Google took the name “Cloud Computing” and applied to such a specific use as providing CPU cycles to users. A better definition might be in the SaaS or SOA area, but even that is not yet close to describing what I think is the true potential of Cloud computing. The true potential lies in the ability for any user to get something computed for him elsewhere on the Web. A good example is something that is already pervasive - the use of Google maps on websites to show geographical information relevant to that particular web site’s goals. Any person with a website can send some location data “into the cloud” and receive a map back that can be displayed on a web page. In SOA terms, Google maps can be looked at as a “service”. There are enough services available on the web already that some pretty impressive applications can be built using services that are provided by the “cloud”.
You don’t have a website? Google can even provide you with one of those (for free)!
June 10th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I think that is a good way to look at it, when you say cloud computing as a progression of outsouring….since in so many way they are alike. But if you think cloud computing is a natural progression to date what do you think it can progress even more and in what direction?
June 11th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I thinnk Brian’s comment is right on. That’s what I meant/implied by using the term Services-as-a-Service (I think I invented that term!).