Cloud Computing: Reaction on Comments

Comments on Cloud Computing: what is it all about?

I do agree with you that Cloud Computing is a marketing buzzword. Don't believe that it will solve all my problems. To be honest, I do believe that it will increase my problems. Nobody has a total overview anymore.

 

Maybe I am old fashioned, but I do think that by integrating a lot of different software the security problems will increase. You might open the door to your business data! How do you properly control the access to sensitive data? Most people don't realise what an insight they give by using the social networks like Facebook, Hyves, etc.

 

So I don't believe that Cloud Computing takes care for a seamless integration of all the software in the world. Sure you can access a lot of data, but who takes care of all the legacy systems and exemptions? All companies has a whole lot of it. For integration you need interfaces. This means testing and maintenance. How do you support the different applications? How do you handle the different wishes of your customers? Everybody want something slightly different. So you stumble upon the discussion of standard versus bespoke software.

Pieter Riley

 

Hello Peter, 2010-03-01

 

Interesting article to read. However I do agree with the comments of Pieter. There are quite a few snags. The concept of Cloud computing exists already a couple of years. My expectation is that this concept will not be successful in the business area.

 

Especially because all the data is transferred over the Internet. Seamless integration sounds great, but looks at all the nice promises made by the introduction of SOA and ERP. Integration is not a piece of cake because a lot of applications are business specific. Even if you want to link SAP with SAP you stumble upon a lot of problems. Imagine what happens with other applications.

 

A long time ago Accenture has started to roll out SAP ‘as a service’ to water companies. It started well and was new. However …what is the state of the art now? Was this initiative successful?

 

The Cloud will not be used as long as companies stick to the traditional idea that their systems provide a competitive advance.

Henry van den Berg

 

Hello Peter,

I agree with Pieter Riley.
Using cloud computing takes you out of control of the reliability of your data and your computing capacity. If you want to create independency towards the outside world keep your computing capacity and your data inside! Security is the key-issue because there is very little information and experience available about security issues related to cloud computing.

In my opinion cloud computing is an alternative to outsourcing created by marketing campaigns. Outsourcing was not so successful as many suppliers do believe. Cost effectiveness was the buzzword related to outsourcing; it never turned out to be real.

There is also an other issue: while using cloud computing the infrastructure, application and architecture knowledge level within companies decreases; knowing the business is also important for employees that manages the infrastructure and applications.

 

So my opinion before using cloud computing as a vehicle: be aware of the pro’s, con’s and riscs for the continuity of your business! Involve the business in your decision!

 

Reaction on comments

 

Cloud Computing: IT management doesn’t believe it (yet?)

 

The comments on my first article on Cloud Computing and discussions I had last week give a clear signal. IT management does not believe the beautiful promises of the Cloud Walhalla.

In reality they do believe that their problems will increase. Here is why.

 

Security is the outstanding worry. How to protect your data and provide reliability? How to manage access to sensitive data? Indeed security problems will increase. A good solution is
not yet presented in the market.

 

The promise of seamless integration of all different software services is not believed either. Integration means building of interfaces and that means a lot of testing and maintenance.

Software as a Service is nice, but everybody knows the problem that your customers always want something slightly different than others.

 

Loss of control. Who will have the total overview and is able to control all the different pieces of the different services?

 

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