Cloud computing continues to be a disruptive trend in the information technology industry so I like to keep up to date on the IT and business issues related to the adoption of this trend.
Cloud computing promises a new approach to IT economics—but also presents new challenges. All IT users have come to expect a new standard from information technology, including masking complexity, providing enterprise-class security, delivering “dial tone” reliability, and wrapping it all in a friendly, easy to use self service package. Fulfilling these expectations is a monumental task for IT departments.
I recently visited IBM’s Cloud Computing page looking for content about the cloud computing trend. Here are some cloud computing white papers that are featured on the ibm.com site that discuss the key issues involved in adopting cloud computing technology and services.
Get started with cloud through the right business based IT strategy (May 2011). This is a 4 page Solution Brief written by IBM’s Strategy & Transformation Services team. Cloud affects all dimensions of your organization, from business and operations, to technology, organization design and communication. IBM’s Strategy and Change Services for Cloud Adoption uses proven methods to address these dimensions in creating your end-to-end cloud strategy.
Capturing new cloud business opportunities – with the right strategy. (May 2011) This 4 page solution brief from IBM’s Strategy & Transformation Services team says now is the time to act. Market leaders see the potential of cloud and are moving fast to get there first. Partnerships and alliances are quickly taking form. Those who are the last to move risk being excluded from this new, networked world. '
Getting cloud computing right: “The key to business success in a cloud adoption is a robust, proven architecture”. (April 2011) Making full use of an integrated public compute cloud depends on how well customers can leverage the software assets they already own. This 7 page white paper, written by IBM’s Global Technology Services team, acknowledges that CIOs and business leaders face a big challenge making sense of all the vendor offerings in the marketplace about cloud computing. The white paper points out that it is important to remember that cloud computing is not just about data center technology. It’s about streamlining business processes to make organizations and people more strategic, more responsive to change and more oriented to service delivery.
Private Clouds Float with IBM Systems and Software (February 2011). This white paper was written for IBM by IDEAS International. The primary challenge for most IT departments is to stage the gradual adoption of private clouds in a way that allows the benefits of cloud computing to be accrued as quickly as possible. By methodically addressing the operational requirements at every level of private cloud infrastructure, IBM provides the necessary foundation to fulfill much of the economic promise of cloud computing.
How IBM is shortening the gap between customers and development value (February 2011). Cloud computing will be a journey for IT departments, not a destination. This 9 page white paper, written for IBM by Allan Krans of TBR Software Practice, examines the challenges CIOs, IT managers and application development managers face as they attempt to select a cloud computing vendor that can help them address development and test requirements.
How IBM Smart Business Cloud can be a catalyst for IT transformation (January 2011). This paper was written for IBM by Stuart Williams of TBR Software Practice. This white paper examines the challenges CIOs and IT Managers face as they attempt to select a cloud computing vendor that can help them address their immediate requirements, as well as address their long-term needs for a holistic computing strategy.
Strategies for assessing cloud security (November 2010). This is a 5 page Thought Leadership White Paper from IBM Global Technology Services. Although the benefits of cloud computing are clear, so is the need to develop proper security for cloud implementations—whether public or private. Cloud computing introduces another level of risk because essential services are often outsourced to a third party, making it harder to maintain data integrity and privacy, support data and service availability, and demonstrate compliance. Embracing cloud computing without adequate security controls can place the entire IT infrastructure at risk.
Cloud computing insights from 110 implementation projects (October 2010). This is a 12 page white paper from IBM’s Academy of Technology. The survey represents the findings from 110 case studies of cloud computing implementations in a survey conducted in August 2010. The case studies are mainly from mature markets and mainly from companies with more than 5,000 employees. With the exception of the chemical and petroleum industry and industrial products, virtually every industry is represented.
Integrated service management and cloud computing: More than just technology best friends (September 2010). This is a 12 page white paper from IBM’s Global Technology Services that discusses the importance of an integrated service management strategy to a successful cloud computing implementation. Integration is crucial to success in cloud environments because of the need to orchestrate the actions of partners, vendors and customers in keeping with the firm’s strategic intent for IT. The requirements are clear: Integrated Service Management is more, not less, important in a cloud environment. In fact, it is indispensible.
Leveraging security from the cloud: The who, what, when, why and how of cloud-based security services (July 2010). When it comes to delivering information security, cloud computing provides several advantages relative to on-premise security software and appliances. This 6 page white paper reveals how security can be used to reduce risk, optimize resources, improve flexibility and address regulatory requirements—without breaking the bank.
For more on IBM and cloud computing, go to it’s main cloud computing website: http://www.ibm.com/ibm/cloud/
