Dustin Amrhein

Much of the initial focus in cloud computing has been on environment deployment. Specifically, it seems like we spend quite a bit of time talking about how cloud building blocks such as virtualization, automation, and standardization will lead to the kind of nimbleness and efficiency previously very hard to attain. While these are all valid and very important points, I think it's time we push the conversation forward concerning what elements of cloud users should expect to derive value from -- especially in the PaaS arena. I think we can all agree that users leveraging PaaS solutions will benefit from the standard qualities we have associated with cloud for the past few years. In other words, there is certainly nothing about PaaS that jeopardizes rapid deployments, better asset utilization, improved consistency in deployed environments, etc. It is important to reco... (more)

How Are You Building Your Cloud?

"What are the use cases you want to pursue with your enterprise cloud project?" The question seems innocuous enough, but I can tell you from first-hand experience that it is anything but. If you asked five people from different teams within the same company to each give you three use cases, you would end up with 15 different scenarios. Such is the case in the current enterprise landscape where points of view on cloud vary about as much as you can imagine. Each organizational fiefdom has its own set of pain points, challenges, and initiatives to tackle, and each one of those teams... (more)

It's a Bottom up World

I was talking to some colleagues the other day about the happenings in the world of cloud. Specifically, we were talking about a few different enterprises we worked with that had recently adopted cloud computing. As we talked, we seemed to hone in on the adoption path. Specifically, what group within the companies we worked with had been most responsible for the cloud adoption decision? Was it a group typically responsible for enterprise solution adoption, or were we seeing a fundamental change in how these types of companies made purchases? As we began to unravel the thread that... (more)

It's What's on the Inside that Counts

"It is what is on the inside that counts." How many times have we all been told that? Personally, I can't even remember. However, just because it is perhaps overused and undoubtedly cliché, does not make it any less true. In fact, I rank it right up there with the golden rule as mantras that one should try to live by. But this is ostensibly a cloud computing blog, so what am I rambling on about? Well, it turns out that it's what is on the inside that counts in cloud computing as well! To explain this, let's take a look at the process for deploying applications on the cloud today... (more)

The Pitfalls of Cloud Computing

There is no shortage of information concerning the ‘right' way to do cloud. Don't believe me? Just google ‘adopting cloud computing' or ‘implementing cloud computing' and prepare to be bombarded with advice. Don't get me wrong. I am not attempting to impugn this kind of material or otherwise demean it. I am simply saying that if you want to read about how to successfully adopt, implement, or otherwise begin to use cloud computing, you have a wealth of information at your disposal. On the other hand, I doubt you will find as much information on the opposite of cloud success, whic... (more)