Understanding, Evaluating Your Cloud Options

October 6, 2010 Off By David
Grazed from IT Business Edge.  Author: John Storts.

Given the opportunities for cost reduction and the potential for narrowing the competitive edge gap for IT among global rivals, cloud computing remains an alluring option for many companies, even if many remain cautious. While "cloud computing" may have become something of a cure-all catchphrase to some in the industry, contributors to the IT Business Edge Knowledge Network have provided checklists, definition documents, and book excerpts to help businesses identify cloud options and determine what benefits they present for operational efficiency and the bottom line.

 

These resources have been popular on the Knowledge Network:

  • Cloud Computing Checklist — There is no question that a cloud’s virtualized environment enables dramatic increases in efficiency. These, along with significant economies of scale, result in lower operating costs than most businesses can achieve without the cloud. In addition, smaller companies can enjoy enterprise-class features they could not otherwise afford, particularly in areas related to back-up and management. This checklist helps you understand the traits and services you should look for in a cloud provider.
  • Definitions: Cloud Computing — Arthur Cole provides the history, business applications, deployment concerns and technical details for cloud computing, which he essentially defines as "the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model expanded to include hardware-driven functions like storage and  processing."
  • ‘Management Strategies for the Cloud Revolution’ Excerpt — Our excerpt, "Overcoming Resistance to the Cloud," examines reasons why top executives have resisted the cloud based solely on its name, explains technical issues that slow cloud adoption and critiques the proprietary lock-in that threatens to stifle open source cloud initiatives.

 

Moving into the cloud may not be appropriate for every organizational environment or business-critical software application, but with the help of these tools, IT managers can make these decisions based on recommendations from leading experts.