Cloud computing draws its name from the familiar cloud abstraction used to depict the Internet in network diagrams. Besides being an easy way to render the complex infrastructure that comprises the Internet, the cloud is an appropriate metaphor. Like the Internet, clouds have no clear boundaries or borders and are constantly shifting and changing.
The basic idea behind cloud computing is to allow access to data and applications stored on remote hardware by way of the Internet rather than keeping it all on local servers and workstations. The goal is to lower costs, reduce data center complexity and speed time to market.
Top-performing companies that have adopted cloud computing have reduced IT costs 18 percent and data center power consumption by 16 percent, according to a study by Aberdeen Group. The report examined the business adoption of cloud computing of 184 organizations, including small to midsize businesses and large enterprises. The survey revealed the top business pressures driving the adoption of cloud computing include the overall cost of IT infrastructure, the need to enhance competitive advantage, a lack of flexibility in the current IT environment and the need to support additional services or users.
Small businesses and startups are adopting cloud computing to break down traditional technological and financial barriers in the delivery of new categories of software innovation. Larger businesses are cutting costs with cloud computing while embarking on a transformation of their IT service delivery models based on SOA architectures and cloud computing.
Cloud computing is changing the role of IT from predominantly one of maintenance to one that enables innovation through the new service delivery model of cloud services. Consequently, top companies are realizing the critical need to establish a governance model around service-oriented architectures and cloud-based service delivery.
Whether a private cloud, public cloud or hybrid model makes the most sense for your organization, FusionStorm can help.
John Varel
CEO, Founder, Chairman
FusionStorm