Cloud Computing an Overview
Article is still under development (but complete in it's current scope)
Cloud Computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid.
Cloud computing is a paradigm shift following the shift from mainframe to client–server in the early 1980s. Details are abstracted from the users, who no longer have need for expertise in, or control over, the technology infrastructure "in the cloud" that supports them. Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption, and delivery model for IT services based on the Internet, and it typically involves over-the-Internet provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources. It is a byproduct and consequence of the ease-of-access to remote computing sites provided by the Internet.
The term "cloud" is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on the cloud drawing used in the past to represent the telephone network,and later to depict the Internet in computer network diagrams as an abstraction of the underlying infrastructure it represents. Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online that are accessed from another Web service or software like a Web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers. Source Wikipedia
Return to Big Iron
Is this return to the IBM centralized computing model right for your organization? This is complex issue and the variables may be unique to each organization. Listed are some thoughts and resources:
Start ups and small organizations with dispersed members will logically benefit in an immediate way with cloud services. You will be up and running very fast with moderately sophisticated tools. You do not need to worry about IT capital costs and staff. But for established organizations the issue is less clear. In this mobile network enabled world it is important that every organization have some tools in the cloud, the exact benefit and extend needs much analyzed and tested very deliberately.
Cloud negatives
- Lack of branding (canned aesthetic)
- Long term cost unknown once you have implemented a cloud solution, how disruptive would it be to switch. If the provider discontinues services (in the coming cloud shake-out) or raises prices on captive clients.
- Some studies have shown that in higher user volumes Cloud Services can actually be more expensive.
- Unfamiliar tools or missing features
| Hey! You! Get off of my cloud | ||
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Then in flies a guy who's all dressed up like a Union Jack And says, I've won five pounds if I have his kind of detergent pack I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud. Hey! You! Get off of my cloud |
Working in the Private Cloud
Brand Guidance Program [bgp] clients have access to our market conversation system [mcs] version
4.0, build on Drupal. This system provides an array of highly branded private cloud services (see technology). The System is organized to advance your brand.
- completely branded solution
- flexible and integrated with traditional IT work-flow
- content not co-mingled with other organizations