With all the buzz around cloud computing and cloud services, perhaps it’s no surprise that a poll of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) reckon it will be the most over-hyped technology this year, even ahead of Windows 7 or Google apps.
The survey, by leading IT portal Silicon.com, goes on to say that less than one in 10 of the tech chiefs responding listed software-as-a-service or grid and utility computing as one of their technology priorities for this year.
While the survey is right in one way – there certainly has been a lot of speculation and coverage of cloud computing – hype doesn’t mean the technology will not take off. What’s more, it looks like it’s set to take off at the small business end of the market.
We’ve just completed a survey (we will release the full findings shortly) that shows 54% of UK small businesses will be using cloud software solutions for key functions by the end of 2010. The economic downturn is driving companies to seek alternatives to traditional business software.
Perhaps the telling aspect of the Silicon survey is technology that CIOs rated as overhyped in previous years. In 2008, it was the iPhone – a spectacular success – and in 2007 AND 2006, Windows Vista. OK, Vista is flawed, but can’t be ignored. So, hyped the technology may be. But that doesn’t mean it won’t succeed.
craigcoward Cloud computing benefits, cloud predictions cloud computing, cloud growth, cloud predictions
There’s still a lot of discussion about security in the cloud, how secure your data is, and more. And I’m sure that discussion will continue for months to come. But it’s important to look at the issue in perspective. How many of the cloud security nay-sayers are really applying the same standards to their own systems, servers and data centres?
As this article on the US portal ComputerWorld points out, cloud applications are subject to far fewer threats than data sitting within the average company’s building.
Is there easy physical access to the cloud? No: cloud hosting is done in massive data centres with multiple perimeter check points to restrict access. Are there thousands of services running on the network with little visibility into what they are? No. Are there rogue access points? No – firewalling and network perimeter defences are airtight. The risk of disgruntled employees? There is maybe a small risk, but far less than in any ordinary company.
Not to mention the fact that cloud apps have resilience and multiple failovers, and don’t lose your data in the event of a crash. Compared with these points, the average company has a long way to go to match cloud security.
craigcoward Cloud computing benefits, Cloud security
When people start making cartoons based around technology, you know that the technology is crossing over into the mainstream. The cloud secotr is no exception. Daryl Plummer, an analyst for Gartner Group, the leading analyst body, has started publishing a series of cartoons taking an affectionate, ironic view of cloud computing.
Called the “G-Men”, it pokes knowing fun at the misconceptions and buzzwords surrounding the area. Is it a Dilbert for the cloud age? Judge for yourself: you can read the strip from the beginning here, and see Daryl’s general blog here.
craigcoward Cloud computing benefits, cloud predictions