The Hype vs. Reality of Cloud Computing

There is little doubt that “Cloud” is a key topic of conversation across most organizations today. And for good reason - advances in Cloud technology have created a wide variety of opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

So, what’s new (and not-so-new) about the Cloud?

The shift to Cloud computing is similar to previous seminal shifts in IT:

Mainframe => Client Server => Web => Cloud…

Every generation has brought significant change to the I.T. landscape, at both the technical AND organizational levels. Each has provided an enormous boost to innovation and productivity in IT, which translates to tangible business benefits.

 Characteristics similar to the past shifts:

• Technology vendors lead the way by drumming up the benefits (and sometimes, downplaying real world challenges).
• Conflicting priorities: there may be as many reasons to go to the Cloud as not to go!
• Hype and Reality need to be clearly distinguished in order to set the right path.

What is the Hype, and the Reality when transitioning enterprise IT to the Cloud?

1. "Everything and everyone will move to the cloud - very rapidly":

For most organizations, a transition to the Cloud will (and should) continue over many years, combined with ever-present consideration to integrate legacy IT infrastructure, applications and IT processes. “Everything” may not come in one’s career; however unnecessary delays can be as costly as rushed moves.

2. "Moving to the Cloud is as simple as signing up with a Cloud services provider":

Signing up for a Cloud service is just the beginning of a long journey. Integrating the newly procured service with the rest of your ‘on-premise’ IT assets, resources and infrastructure is key. Don’t forget – you’ve probably spent significant effort breaking down silos over the years – systems integration in the era of Cloud computing is as important as ever.

3. "Cloud is free of all past IT vices, e.g. “vendor lock-in” is absent":

In most cases, vendor lock-in is as prevalent as in on-premise IT; at least, at the application or platform level.

4. "Cloud requires an all-new approach, including development methodologies, IT processes etc.":

Most of the existing methodologies still apply to the Cloud, but adaptation and integration are key.

5. "Because of its nature, Cloud does not require Enterprise Architecture (EA) and IT Governance":

EA considers Cloud as a complementary IT deployment and consumption model integrated into the holistic EA model; Governance is still key; otherwise a “cloud nightmare” is imminent.

Still, Cloud brings innovation and progress, and not going to the Cloud no longer seems like an option (at least, at the risk of becoming a modern-day Luddite).

As businesses continue to capitalize on the benefits of moving their business systems “off-premise”, Cloud computing will continue to proliferate across the enterprise.

To be successful, the transition requires a well-defined strategy to bridge existing on-premise I.T. resources and assets with those that move to the Cloud.

Next time, I’d like to share some experiences from the field in typical Cloud Strategy and Integration Challenges.