You'll be surprised fo find out how much you're already using cloud computing services!
This blog is a perfect example. Google owns Blogger (the tool I used to create this blog) and provides it free of charge. I don't know where the Blogger server(s) are located, I didn't have to install anything, I don't have to do any upgrades or backups or maintenance. The service is provided to be over the Internet and I just use it. That's the essence of cloud computing!
Other examples? There are so many... web-based e-mail services such as Hotmail, Yahoo and G-Mail are cloud-based applications. The Google search tool itself is another prime example. In each of those cases, those are services available to you from somewhere "in the cloud". You don't have to manage, monitor, secure, upgrade, or install them. They are just there for you to use.
Not all Internet cloud services are free. In fact, most probably won't be. Salesforce.com is a prime example of a cloud service. They provide a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system in the cloud. Check them out at http://www.salesforce.com/.
Some of you may have used Quicktax online to do your income taxes this year (http://www.quicktax.ca/). It's an execllent example of a Internet cloud service. The tool that we use to monitor your systems is also a cloud-based application.
Microsoft is also getting into the game in a big way. They now offer what they are calling their "Business Productivity Online Suite" which includes Exchange, Sharepoint, Office Communication, and Office Live. What's that mean? It's not free but it means you can deploy and use some of these tools on a monthly subscription basis without having to buy and implement the servers to house them internally. I'll talk more about this in a future blog because there is so much there it deserves its own blog post.
Also, Microsoft, whose Office application is the poster-child for the old way of doing things, has recently announced the next version of Office 2010. That's not news but what is exciting is that there will be a FREE version of Office available to anyone to use online. So, even Microsoft Office will be in the cloud! How cool is that? How much money is that going to save you in Office licensing?
To wrap up... cloud computing is already here and you're already using it for many things. But, we're barely scratching the surface. Stay tuned for more information on where we go from here. As always, I welcome your comments!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Cloud Computing - Part 3 - Is there a downside?
When companies were first switching to the central electrical grid from their own power generation systems there were those who were slow to adopt to the new technology. Their reasons? They didn't trust the electrical companies that were supplying the power. Also, they didn't think the power produced from the grid was of the quality that they produced on their own. In some cases, there may have been some legitimate reasons for concern but, as the bugs were worked out, those reasons soon went by the wayside.
In the same way, there are nay-sayers out there today who are making similar statements about cloud computing. Some of the issues they raise certainly are legitimate but others aren't. The legitimate issues are issues today but they likely won't be issues tomorrow.
Let's look at a few possible problems. The first issues that many people raise are security and priviacy. They worry that data stored outside your four walls and on someone else's computer can't be secure and private. Certainly, with today's privacy laws, these are real concerns. But, does anyone really think a server sitting in your office is truly secure from theft, fire, flood, etc? Servers in the cloud are locked in controlled-access server rooms with fire suppression systems and "clean" electrical power (with backups). As well, your data can be encrypted and protected by security and privacy agreements with the cloud vendor. So, yes, security/privacy IS an issue but it is an issue that can be managed by putting in the proper controls, restrictions and safe-guards.
Probably the biggest issue today that we need to address today is Internet bandwidth and reliability. Obviously, if you're getting most of your computing services from the Internet you'll need fast and reliable Internet to your office. Many companies don't yet have the Internet bandwidth or reliability that they can afford to put too many applications in the cloud. However, Internet bandwidth and reliability is improving every day and this issue is going away.
Finally, not all applications are suitable to cloud computing and they will need to be re-written or modified to make them work properly. You may have applications that simply won't work in a cloud computing set-up. However, many vendors are currently re-writing their applications so they will work in a cloud configuration.
So, yes, there are issues with cloud computing but, over time, we will resolve them and/or find ways around them. One way might be to use cloud computing technologies inside your private network for those applications that privacy laws (or whatever) dictate can't exist outside your four walls. You may see some hybrid situations where some applications are hosted externally and some internally. The point is that the technology works either way!
Your comments and ideas are always welcome! Please feel free to post them here or e-mail me directly.
In the same way, there are nay-sayers out there today who are making similar statements about cloud computing. Some of the issues they raise certainly are legitimate but others aren't. The legitimate issues are issues today but they likely won't be issues tomorrow.
Let's look at a few possible problems. The first issues that many people raise are security and priviacy. They worry that data stored outside your four walls and on someone else's computer can't be secure and private. Certainly, with today's privacy laws, these are real concerns. But, does anyone really think a server sitting in your office is truly secure from theft, fire, flood, etc? Servers in the cloud are locked in controlled-access server rooms with fire suppression systems and "clean" electrical power (with backups). As well, your data can be encrypted and protected by security and privacy agreements with the cloud vendor. So, yes, security/privacy IS an issue but it is an issue that can be managed by putting in the proper controls, restrictions and safe-guards.
Probably the biggest issue today that we need to address today is Internet bandwidth and reliability. Obviously, if you're getting most of your computing services from the Internet you'll need fast and reliable Internet to your office. Many companies don't yet have the Internet bandwidth or reliability that they can afford to put too many applications in the cloud. However, Internet bandwidth and reliability is improving every day and this issue is going away.
Finally, not all applications are suitable to cloud computing and they will need to be re-written or modified to make them work properly. You may have applications that simply won't work in a cloud computing set-up. However, many vendors are currently re-writing their applications so they will work in a cloud configuration.
So, yes, there are issues with cloud computing but, over time, we will resolve them and/or find ways around them. One way might be to use cloud computing technologies inside your private network for those applications that privacy laws (or whatever) dictate can't exist outside your four walls. You may see some hybrid situations where some applications are hosted externally and some internally. The point is that the technology works either way!
Your comments and ideas are always welcome! Please feel free to post them here or e-mail me directly.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Cloud Computing - Part 2 - Benefits
What are the real benefits of cloud computing? First, obviously, there are savings in capital dollars since you don't have to buy servers and, maybe, even desktop or laptop systems. You may choose to buy "thin client" systems which you can think of as scaled-down desktop computers (they're cheaper, more fail-safe, and use less power).
Second, computing services in the cloud are typically more reliable than servers you have in your office today. The reasons behind that is that they are typically higher-end, fault-tolerant systems and are managed 24x7 by specialists.
Third, you save on system management costs. Someone else is managing the cloud systems so you don't have to pay to have someone manage the server system(s) in your office. You will likely still need someone to organize and coordinate the cloud computing services into something usable but that shouldn't cost as much.
Fourth, you save on power and air conditioning. Servers and desktops, to a lesser extent, consume lots of electrical power and generate heat. So, cloud computing is "greener" than traditional computing.
Fifth, cloud applications can actually be more secure that applications you host on your own servers. How? These applications are typically hosted on state-of-the-art data centers with multiple layers of protection around them. They will be protected by high-end redundant firewalls and the data centers will have very secure and multiple physical access controls.
Finally, system accessibility is improved. Typically, you can access your cloud-based systems from anywhere you have Internet connectivity - at the office, home, cottage, coffee shop, etc. Of course, you can also put controls in place if ubiquitous access isn't something you want or need.
Second, computing services in the cloud are typically more reliable than servers you have in your office today. The reasons behind that is that they are typically higher-end, fault-tolerant systems and are managed 24x7 by specialists.
Third, you save on system management costs. Someone else is managing the cloud systems so you don't have to pay to have someone manage the server system(s) in your office. You will likely still need someone to organize and coordinate the cloud computing services into something usable but that shouldn't cost as much.
Fourth, you save on power and air conditioning. Servers and desktops, to a lesser extent, consume lots of electrical power and generate heat. So, cloud computing is "greener" than traditional computing.
Fifth, cloud applications can actually be more secure that applications you host on your own servers. How? These applications are typically hosted on state-of-the-art data centers with multiple layers of protection around them. They will be protected by high-end redundant firewalls and the data centers will have very secure and multiple physical access controls.
Finally, system accessibility is improved. Typically, you can access your cloud-based systems from anywhere you have Internet connectivity - at the office, home, cottage, coffee shop, etc. Of course, you can also put controls in place if ubiquitous access isn't something you want or need.
So, as you can see, there are many benefits to cloud computing and most of them will lead to decreased cost for computing power and, these days, that's good for everyone.
On the next post, I'll talk about some of the drawbacks and potential pitfalls to cloud computing.
Stay tuned and, as always, I welcome your comments.
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