A Walk in the Clouds

The shift to delivering IT through a utility model is changing the business computing landscape as it is today. That model is known as cloud computing. Cloud computing is Internet-based ("cloud") development and use of computer technology ("computing"). “The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet (based on how it is depicted in computer network diagrams) and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals.” In other words, Cloud Computing is a style of computing in which IT-related capabilities are provided as a service. In a time where “Everyone just wants to get the applications and data they need, when and where they need it”, Cloud Computing offers the attempt to synchronize information across operating systems.

“Although 65% of business technology professionals polled for a recent InformationWeek Analytics cloud computing report have not yet identified moving IT functions into the cloud as a priority, it is expected to change in a fairly short order.” This is because the Cloud Computing transition has been led by smaller businesses and companies, which will in-turn force larger enterprises and companies to adapt or be left behind. Even though smaller companies are leading the change, Cloud computing is currently being driven by “big-name” providers including Amazon, Google, and Yahoo!, as well as traditional vendors including Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and SAP.

With Cloud Computing becoming more known and visual to companies, many raise questions about the security, reliability, and overall performance of the new computing model. Recent events that gave Cloud Computing a “negative” view was when Google’s Gmail and App System, as well as Amazon, went down over the past year. Although outages like these would shake the confidence of those moving towards Cloud Computing, the Historical data on cloud outages is tracked and kept on records.

In my view, when doing a little outside research, it shows that we've been providing Cloud Computing solutions for the last couple years, allowing small to mid-sized companies to outsource some or all of their IT functions. It seems to be a great success for both customers and companies with low cost of entry, predictable pricing, and access to otherwise too expensive services To me, Cloud Computing is not that new, it's just getting more visibility.

Sources: http://www.cloudcomputing.informationweek.com/, http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/07/15FE-cloud-computing-reality_1.html