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)
"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)
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 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)
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)