Cloud Computing Buzz

There is a lot of buzz about Cloud computing lately that I think is misleading. Like all new IT silver bullets the advertising machines from vendors have been whipped up to a feverish pitch. They are selling all types of IT snake oil silver solutions and telling CIOs that if they don't have applications in the Cloud soon then they are behind the times and will be replaced soon.

First let me define what I mean by Cloud computing. I define Cloud computing as an externally hosted platform for running applications. This definition has also been known as Platform-as-a-Service or PaaS. Examples include Amazon's EC2 and Google's App Engine. There are many more out there but Amazon and Google are two well known providers. Others have defined Cloud computing as anything that doesn't run in your data center. This would include things like Google Docs, GMail, and the like. I think this is a stretch of the definition of Cloud computing since these are pre-defined applications that have a single purpose. Cloud computing is more general purpose than this definition.

I believe that Cloud computing has a place in the future of some companies. Companies that do not have the cash or people to put a data center together can get huge benefits from cloud computing. The ability to make infrastructure available quickly and inexpensively, initially at least, is exciting. There are several scenarios that companies can use this kind of infrastructure including proof of concept work, development environment, or even self contained applications.

I have an issue with the assumption that Cloud computing is a cure all for all IT problems. The Cloud does not solve the issues of integrating data from legacy systems, which now maybe defined as anything not running in the Cloud, development issues that arise from programming for a new environment, and even requirements issues. These problems will exist no matter where the solution is hosted. There are new issues that exist with hosting an application in the Cloud. Different national privacy laws, getting data out of the Cloud, and service availability are just a few issues that come off the top of my head. These all have far reaching affects on the suitability of Cloud computing for a company.

So if you are looking for a fast and efficient way to get infrastructure up and running then definitively look at cloud computing. But go in with your open. Have experienced IT people ask the hard questions about how the service works and how it will fit into your environment. Look at the cost of not only the infrastructure but the cost of developing and integrating the Cloud environment into your application portfolio.

Just my thoughts.

Tony