Cloud Computing 1-0-1

Here is my perspective on the Cloud Computing scenario as it unfolds going forward. Cloud Computing, by virtue of its dynamic, real-time upward and more importantly, downward scalability with a pay-per-use costing model, is particularly useful where there is significant inpredictability of demand for computing and storage resources or a large (though at times predicatble) variation in computing and storage activity through the year.

Example of the former could be that of an Anti-virus software vendor and of the latter could be online retailer or online travel booking portal.
Organizations that typically do not have such a significant predictable or unpredictable variation in demand may not have much use for the dynamic scalability of demand. However, they may be able to set up “Private Clouds” with a significant rationalization of their computing and storage assets with substantial cost benefits and dynamic provisioning of resources for different parts of the organization on need basis. Management of applications also becomes much easier on a private cloud.
“Cloud Computing” essentially comprises the following key components:
* Storage Infrastructure
* Connectivity Infrastructure
* Computing Infrastructure
* Applications
* Storage
For storage we have seen emergence of some significantly large enterprises who have “storage” as their core business with huge investments in storage infrastructure and offer storage as a service on a cents per GB kind of pricing model.
* Connectivity
Hand-in-hand with the evolution of the offshore delivery industry and with advancements in communication technology, we have seen emergence of large global connectivity providers, that focus on offering connectivity services to enterprises across the planet on either “fixed-cost-unlimited-usage” or “Cost-per-use” basis.
* Computing
We have observed emergence of enterprises that have invested in HUGE server farms and offer “computing as a service” where customers are either charged on “cents per cycle” or “dollars per server” / “server on rent” basis. The provisioning is done dynamically and charges are made on a pro-rata basis.
* Applications
On the one hand we see large applications vendors like Oracle, SAP & Microsoft and on the other we see numerous small ISVs that operate in their own niches. A large number of “Opensource” application writers also form a formidable force on the Cloud scene. We are seeing all these types of application vendors having a Cloud strategy in some form or the other.
All of the above are the “Spade Vendors In a Gold Rush” who will end up making money as Cloud Computing hype rises and is followed by the inevitable adoption cycle. However, it is a challenge for a user organization to manage so many different relationships and integrate these to have a credible and smooth functioning Cloud to work with. They would be better off working with “Services Aggregators” that offer services / platforms that help organizations connect the dots seamlessly and have access to the power of cloud computing.
In view of security of information and leveraging sunk investments gainfully, enterprise users that have significant investments in computing and storage infrastructure may also want to consider the option of  “private clouds”. Service providers that can help aggregate Cloud Component Services or set up private clouds also offer the additional advantage of good “domain expertise” that helps leveraging the power of cloud computing in the context of the unique requirements of companies in a specific sector.

Comments

[Mayank Verma]

I have tested few Cloud Computing based OS like eyeos. Doesnt have much features but still it is a new concept i believe it would be a major breakthrough in near future.