The IT Industry has lately been abuzz with the subject of Cloud Computing. While some claim it is the next disruptive technology, others suggest it is the harbinger of the diminishing role of the Systems Integrator. A closer examination reveals that it is neither. There have been a number of definitions for Cloud Computing, from a style of computing in which massively scalable IT-related capabilities are provided, to a pool of abstracted, highly-scalable and managed computer infrastructure. However, another way to look at Cloud Computing is as a highly-automated, readily-scalable, on-demand computing platform of virtually unlimited processing, storage and ubiquitous connectivity, always available to carry out a task of any size and capacity. As a matter of historical fact, Cloud Computing has been around since the beginning of the IT Outsourcing industry. At its core, Cloud Computing is about utilizing idle/excess compute power (processing, storage, and connectivity) of one entity, to carry out the work of another. Although organizations maybe lured to the affordability and scalability that Cloud Computing offers, it is a seasoned Systems Integrator that ensures their environment is architected such that it provides these advantages without compromising on security and interoperability. It is imperative that their environment is architected such that it provides these advantages without compromising on security and interoperability. The role of a Systems Integrator clearly is integral to configuring the optimum (extended) computing environment such that it is dependable/reliable and operating at expected quality of performance for a particular client. A number of sceptics have long believed that Cloud Computing is just another buzz-word or the “flavour of the month” but they should remember that just a decade ago the concept of offshoring IT work also faced strong head winds from political, business and social fronts. However, in a global economy, the benefits of offshoring in the form of reduced cost, high availability of quality resources, and faster response time due to around-the-clock operations caused most, if not all, businesses to change to some derivation of an offshore-based model. To ensure consistent, stable operations and to virtually eliminate risks, businesses built their computing platforms at or above the highest peak points of their IT requirements, no matter how infrequent that need might be. As a result, many businesses today are stuck with bloated computing platforms that are enormously underutilized for the majority of the time, taking up real estate, depreciating fast in value, and consuming significant amounts of energy and resources. The advent of Cloud Computing makes the already level playing field even flatter. While the early benefactors may have been small-to-medium sized businesses, Cloud Computing is poised to benefit businesses of all sizes, giving them access to affordable, on-demand computer capacity. As governance models and processes make Cloud Computing increasingly secure and user friendly, organisations may feel comfortable moving more and more of their data and processing to this system, Just like much commerce has gradually shifted and become acceptable over the internet. In time, it is envisaged that some of the sensitive tasks processed in the private Cloud will gradually be transferred to the public Cloud as organisations become more comfortable with the security and governance models of this new computing platform. In today’s cost-sensitive environment, Cloud Computing certainly holds the promise of reducing a company’s total cost of IT ownership. The Cloud trend today closely resembles the offshoring phenomenon. Just as the initial concerns and resistance to offshoring gave way to intelligently architected and governed models to protect the integrity of customer data while taking advantage of the lower cost options, a similar trend will emerge on the Cloud front. It will start with resistance to the Cloud , followed by the offering of a choice of Cloud environments, finally leading to Cloud Computing becoming mainstream and an integral part of the compute environment for most businesses. The future of Cloud Computing The adoption of Cloud Computing has not been without resistance or confusion. Torn between the appeal of cost savings and fear of loss of control, customers are struggling with how to take advantage of the Cloud . How confidential will their data be? How will they handle issues around data privacy, intellectual property, regulatory requirements, and protection of “secret source” formulas? It is critical to understand that for most businesses the Cloud is not a panacea. Unlike the “electricity grid” where individual power generation units ceased to exist, not everything in IT will or should end up in the Cloud – at least not just yet. Ultimately, the strategy defining usage of the Cloud should be on the CIO’s agenda. A trusted Systems Integrator should be involved in the strategic design of the architecture, to direct a company on how they can optimally exploit the Cloud. Just as the initial concerns and resistance to offshoring gave way to intelligently- architected and governed models to protect the integrity of customer data, while taking advantage of the lower cost options, a similar trend will emerge on the Cloud front. Although there was initial scepticism around the Cloud , the future of business will position Cloud Computing as an integral part of the computer environment for most companies, and harvesting its benefits will continue to require the guidance and direction of skilled and trusted Systems integrator. At the onset, the low cost and ready access to on-demand computing offered through a Cloud environment will cause businesses to rethink what is truly core (mission critical, highly sensitive/secretive) to their business, and shift an increasing amount of non-core processing to a shared or Cloud environment. Organizations will be well served to revisit the classification of each piece of processing and storage that was earlier assumed to be sensitive and mission critical -- in light of the high cost associated with running it in-house through a dedicated infrastructure. Raj G. Asava is Chief Strategy Officer at Dell Perot Systems
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