Cloud Computing-Not a Product or a Technology
Caution is advised here. Software vendors intentionally avoid addressing the absolutely mandatory questions and topics regarding the needed organizational and IT architecture changes, in order to keep sales flowing. Indeed, for many vendors, sales would suffer greatly as a result of repeated (and failed) attempts to actually respond to these critical and complex issues. By contrast, the right, honest and helpful thing to do here would be to inform their customers of the true complexities and correct approaches of cloud computing projects as well as support the integrated concept with advice and solutions.
Clouds are Like Orchestras
As we already mentioned, cloud computing is not just a technology or a product. It is much more than that. Cloud computing is a holistic, inclusive philosophy coupled with numerous solutions, all of which are then based on the appropriate concept and architecture necessary for creating a service-oriented IT operating model. It includes special characteristics, as the National Institute for Standards & Technologies (NIST) states it in its definition of cloud computing, "Enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction."
As a result, cloud computing possesses more perspectives and dimensions that need to be taken into consideration in terms of planning and implementation. Technology is just one dimension here, albeit a vital one because it must deliver and support a heterogeneous landscape made up of modular solutions in a harmonized end-to-end architecture.
A good comparison would be an orchestra. Within an orchestra there is a heterogeneous mixture of instruments and musicians. The sum of its parts covers the entire spectrum, from end to end. But only as a large, finely tuned entity can the orchestra play as a homogeneous and harmonious unit with all of the special characteristics associated with that type of setup. The quintessence for music is the same as for IT in this case: to find the appropriate configuration of technologies and harmonize them like a well-tuned orchestra.
Contrary to their sweeping claims and highly polished promises, only very few software providers have actually mastered this lofty discipline—that is, managed to offer an end-to-end solution within their own portfolios. A good dose of skepticism is required here, and many questions need to be asked regarding concrete experience and references.
A solid partner is one who is willing to admit not only that they have learned from mistakes in past projects, but who has also developed methods, blueprints and products that remedy those problems while guaranteeing the desired, successful outcome of a cloud computing project.
Three Golden Rules for Successful Cloud Projects
1. Put yourself in your users' shoes: Break down the invisible walls between IT and end users by implementing concepts and solutions that simplify and expedite the use of IT services, applications and data.
2. Welcome organizational change: Transform your IT "silos" into a service delivery unit that focuses on business. Facilitate cooperation between all competence centers.
3. Don't trust vendors—trust your partner: The right partner will guide you with experience, knowledge, blueprints and value-add software that complements and optimizes, rather than replaces existing technologies and investments.
ASG Software Solutions is a recognized innovator in enterprise IT and for the last 25 years has been involved with the optimization of 85% of the world's most complex IT organizations. ASG develops and deploys unique software solutions that reduce cost, mitigate risk and improve service delivery throughout the IT lifecycle. ASG CloudFactory, the heart of ASG´s cloud offering, provides cloud building blocks and architecture blueprints for planning, building, provisioning, and managing real end-to-end cloud management platforms that meet ever-changing business demands while maximizing existing technologies and investments.