Cloud Computing – What have we Learned?
Cloud computing has evolved through a number of phases which include grid and utility computing, application service provision (ASP), and Software as a Service (SaaS).
But the overarching concept of delivering computing resources through a global network is rooted in the sixties. The idea of an "intergalactic computer network" was introduced in the sixties by J.C.R. Licklider, who was responsible for enabling the development of ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) in 1969.
His vision was for everyone on the globe to be interconnected and accessing programs and data at any site, from anywhere, explained Margaret Lewis, product marketing director at AMD. "It is a vision that sounds a lot like what we are calling cloud computing." Other experts attribute the cloud concept to computer scientist John McCarthy who proposed the idea of computation being delivered as a public utility, similar to the service bureaus which date back to the sixties.
Since the sixties, cloud computing has developed along a number of lines, with Web 2.0 being the most recent evolution. However, since the internet only started to offer significant bandwidth in the nineties, cloud computing for the masses has been something of a late developer.
One of the first milestones in cloud computing history was the arrival of Salesforce.com in 1999, which pioneered the concept of delivering enterprise applications via a simple website. The services firm paved the way for both specialist and mainstream software firms to deliver applications over the internet
The next development was Amazon Web Services in 2002, which provided a suite of cloud-based services including storage, computation and even human intelligence through the Amazon Mechanical Turk.
Then in 2006, Amazon launched its Elastic Compute cloud (EC2) as a commercial web service that allows small companies and individuals to rent computers on which to run their own computer applications.
With all this activity going on year after year, enterprises have accumulated some key lessons on what cloud is and is not all about. So, what have we learned, more than a decade on?
1) It works.
A decade on, with organisations of all sizes, from the Forbes 500 to Mum-and-Dad shops adopting cloud for mission-critical functions, it can be said that the cloud computing model is working well. Yes, there have been highly publicised outages among cloud providers — but it probably only adds up to a fraction of the outages suffered in on-premises data centres.
2) It simply moves computing to another location.
Cloud computing isn’t a scary new unknown venture or approach to computing. It simply means processing, systems, and often data reside somewhere else on the network, and not downstairs in the server room. (Though parts of it could still be there as well.)
3) Its relatively safe and secure.
Yes, putting data in the cloud is a potentially risky proposition, and this holds many enterprises back from fully embracing cloud — especially public cloud services. But many CIOs admit that cloud providers and their staffs keep up on the latest security measures than CIOs’ own staffs. At the same time, it’s up to cloud users to exercise due diligence when it comes to security — by keeping an eye on things and keep holding vendors’ feet to the fire to adhere to standards and best practices. Enterprises are ultimately responsible for the security of their own systems and data, whether it’s handled by in-house staff or the staff of outside entities.
4) We’re still figuring out the rules of data ownership.
When data is maintained or generated by another entity, it’s not clear who ultimately has the rights to and responsibility for the data. Here again, due diligence is called for — you may use cloud to back up data, but always maintain your own copy as well.
5) The termination aspects are still messy and murky.
The promise of cloud is flexibility; particularly when it comes to swapping vendors’ offerings underneath your infrastructure. However, it’s possible to get deeply rooted and entangled in a cloud vendor’s environment, making termination as painful as tearing out stitches.
6) It renews the vendors lock-in issues that were supposedly resolved ten years ago.
The loss of flexibility to swap vendors as needs dictate is a step backwards in many respects. The promise of service oriented architecture was that the architecture and processes would function consistently and smoothly, regardless of the brand of technology underneath. Cloud makes such vendor-swapping difficult.
7) It requires just as much IT expertise as on-premises systems.
Going to a cloud doesn’t mean you don’t have to do programming, integration work, or systems configuration. You still need to be able to do all these things, and ensure the performance and capabilities you need to keep the enterprise running.
8) Its not necessarily cheaper than on-premises systems.
The long-term costs of subscribing to capabilities month to month add up quickly. But cost savings is not the best reason to go to cloud.
9) It hasn’t taken away IT jobs.
If anything, it has created new opportunities. IT professionals still need to help make the hard decisions about the best technologies to serve their internal and external clients. The help-wanted ads are full of openings for architects, analysts, operations people and developers who can help oversee organisations’ embrace of clouds.
10) It has elevated the role of IT in organizations.
Many IT leaders now have a seat at the table. They now serve as consultants and advisors to the highest levels of their businesses, often with a seat at the table. The business looks to technology leaders not to code, build and run systems, but to provide advice on the best technology directions their businesses should take — be it based on on-premises systems or outside cloud providers.
With over 20 years experience in the IT Training & Consulting industry, SureSkills can offer cloud computing services and advice at any stage of the process. To avail of these services contact one of our Learning Consultants today on 01 240 2262/email: info@SureSkills.com
Source: Forbes.com