Cloud computing--a new paradigm?

Have you checked out the computing power "rental" offerings of Amazon, Google or Microsoft, to name a few?

Fascinating stuff. I get access to computing power on a per unit per day type of basis. This gives me the ability to scale the computing power I use, up and down, to meet my needs and someone else manages this for me--like electricity, it's just another utility.

This is great. Or is it really?

Let's think about a few perennial IT issues and see how they're addressed in this model.

Compatibility. Who manages the issues associated with changes to the infrastructure when they impact the things you use it for? We know how to deal with power spikes, power outages and even power conversion when we travel. Do we know how to deal with re-building our application so that it works on the new IT infrastructure our "cloud" provider kindly installs to keep its environment up-to-date and its costs down, or vice-versa, when we need new infrastructure to support our new application features?

Data privacy. Who gets to see the data that I store on those systems, and how do I convince my own customers that their personal data stays private?

Security. Who is responsible for security? Or is it somehow a joint responsibility, which typically means it becomes nobody's responsibility?

Resiliency. This is most likely taken care of by whoever is selling me this infrastructure service.

Even considering just those few issues, we see topics that are likely well addressed, topics that are not really addressed and new topics. None of this is surprising, in fact, it's pretty common with new ways of doing things.

Think of Facebook and MySpace, and you can start to imagine both how things can be different and how issues can arise.

This is certainly interesting, challenging and potentially disruptive which makes it exciting.

• Talkback (1)
• Print
• E-mail
• Share
• Alerts

Slashdot

Digg this

close this

Talkback 1 comments

• The 3C sourcing framework
• Cloud computing--a new paradigm?
• Lay the foundation for good pricing
• Plan for the bumps so you won't be surprised
• Identify tasks and responsibilities to make governance effective

• Would you work for an outsourcer?
• Is a giant awakening?
• Inexperienced practitioners help or hinder growth?
• What's happened to outsourcing?
• Back to basics: Why outsource?

2008

2007

2006

• Up close and personal with a merger
• Now possible to have .my without the .com
• Singapore Exchange proposes BCM rules
• A new telco in town? Maybe not
• Today's corporate landscape ain't Sesame Street

Michael Rehkopf

Michael has more than 20 years of experience in operations, strategy and sourcing covering all major parts of the globe. He has also worked for Australian, Canadian, German and Japanese companies in both business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing.
Michael's industry experience includes the financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications and travel sectors. He leverages this diverse industry experience and his university background in accounting, IT and his Master of Dispute Resolution, to assist clients in the development of business strategies and the implementation of sourcing strategies. These include the associated evaluation, negotiation and organizational change.
Michael is currently a partner at TPI, the world's oldest and largest sourcing advisory firm. Prior to joining TPI, Michael held leadership positions with Siemens Business Services, OpenPlus International, Mitsubishi Electric and Netron.