Exploring Myths about the Cloud

Almost in every technology update session we heard about cloud, cloud, and cloud. Then sometime we joke it with word “ke laut aja” (means I don’t care about it). But like it or not there will be more organizations and individuals turn to cloud-based services to meet their needs. And we should be aware with this trend which comes a lot of questions. There are some myths surrounding the cloud which may need to be aware of.

• Cloud’s TCO is too high.

You will be interested to the Cloud’s TCO when you really compared it to the upfront investment required to build an on-premise data center, the ongoing overhead associated with hardware, software, and personnel management, as well as the inefficiencies of a static infrastructure that doesn’t respond dynamically. There are also some intangible cost that you may need to think thru such as time, effort, agility, etc. Then cloud starts looking inexpensive than your on-premise infrastructure investment. If you’re really looking into the cloud, and want to leverage cloud innovation technology as your infrastructure portfolio, starts to learn some cloud success stories related to your industry and have some discussion to gain your understanding on how to be there.

• Managed Cloud infrastructure doesn’t have the flexibility I need. 

Almost all the major cloud vendors offer a variety of options for hardware and software platforms, allowing you to bridge your own network with theirs or deploy customized machine images. There are also some good cloud management software which allows you to manage hybrid cloud, your on-premise to public cloud vendors, seamlessly. And you should be aware that you may have dynamic computing infrastructure in cloud. The cloud also is not an “all or nothing” proposition. If it makes sense, move it to the cloud and this will depend on many factors, if your current legacy app is doing just fine where it is on-premise, you may leave it there.

• It’s much safer to have data on-premise than in the cloud.

How many news you heard about cloud providers are being hacked compared to on-premises infrastructure. And a lot of organizations using on-premise infrastructure are being hacked while they are having complete network firewall, antivirus, and some might have regulatory certification. The irony here is that your data is more secure in the hands of a cloud provider that has teams of security specialists working around the clock to ensure your data is safe. You may review their security certification to ensure it.

• Choose one best cloud provider and stick with it. 

Every cloud provider has its own-strengths and being a multi-vendor shop will give you flexibility in choosing the best home for your solutions. Make a grand plan for your current on-premise infrastructure and how you’re going with hybrid cloud or extension to the public cloud provider. There are some best cloud provider specific on Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS, Platform as a Service - PaaS, Software as a Service – SaaS that you might need to review. And there are also some cloud provider can offer you their public cloud service in your datacenter in order to meet business, legislative, and regulatory requirements.

• The learning curve is too high. 

There are many online learning and a lot of video in you tube which allows you to learn on each of cloud technology. And now some people might say that learning a cloud service is a piece of cake due to modern tools that combine intuitive interfaces with smart connections to the tools and services you’re already using.

That’s all I think when exploring myths about the cloud. There might be different opinion on each, and this is truly my personal opinion without any interfere from my background.