Is Cloud Computing Right for You?

In their “Top 10 Areas IT Pros Can’t Ignore” Gartner listed Cloud Computing as number one. Cloud is a metaphor for the Internet. Over the last 5 -10 years, more and more companies have been delivering software via the Internet. These companies own the software and deliver it as a service, instead of having their clients own and maintain it. The actual applications reside on servers all over the web, in the cloud.

Some of the most common business benefits for cloud computing are:

• Cost savings through pay-as-you-go pricing
• Up and down scalability
• Easy access to services from any machine to the network
• Collaboration capabilities with easier access to shared records and applications
• Flexibility to use resources on demand
• Capacity to outsource larger computing needs and non-critical applications

The Obama administration is encouraging Federal agencies to adopt cloud-based solutions for a variety of their activities. In a recent F.A.Q. published in the government archives, three different models of service and deployment were outlined for cloud computing:

Infrastructure-As-A-Service (IaaS)-Provides computing hardware such as servers, network equipment, and data storage on a scalable basis in the cloud. This model is most often used for backup and recovery.

Platform –As-A-Service (PaaS)-Provides an application environment allowing users to collaborate, test, deploy and host applications in the cloud, commonly used in the development of enterprise-level software.

Software-As-A-Service (SaaS)-Provides virtual access to software. Users can log in from anywhere and have access to specific software in the cloud. Cloud based email is a commonly used.

Before deciding to move to the cloud, there are several key considerations to take into account:

1. What is the frequency of usage? Highly frequent usage may make less sense to move to the cloud. However, infrequent use is perfect for the pay-as-you-go model.

2. Do you need highly customized services? The cloud might still be a good solution, but customized services will come at a little higher price.

3. Is your business a start-up or an established, mature business? Cloud-based services lend themselves very well to start-ups. However, an established, mature business might want to keep an on-premise IT solution.

4. How does your company prefer to allocate their expenses, as capital or operating? If you prefer ongoing operating expenditures then the cloud is perfect for you.

Some form of cloud computing makes sense for most businesses. Cloud systems are often easier to manage, less expensive, more versatile, more scalable, and easier to work with and maintain.

Sources: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/faqs/cloud.html