Cloud Computing: beyond the hype
It’s hard to recall a technology development that has been accompanied by more hype than cloud computing. Why all the excitement? It helps that it’s an idea actually backed by substance. The convergence of internet technologies, virtualisation and large-scale data centres has created a set of software services that were unthinkable even a few years ago. The qualities that define Cloud Computing – on-demand services, accessed over networks, with elastic capacity, resource pooling, and variable consumption – represent a powerful new way to deliver IT services. And that’s what’s getting the attention of the business world.
| Creating value | Capability |
Many companies are already putting clouds to work in their businesses – in some cases creating new business models. And that’s just the beginning. Look for a wave of new service offerings to disrupt the business world in the months and years ahead, building on new capabilities for innovation enabled by cloud computing. At a more tactical, everyday level, clouds can help increase IT agility, decrease costs, and improve IT’s service delivery capabilities. All of which makes it worth any organisation’s attention. For most enterprises, it’s a matter of when, not if, they should make cloud computing a component of their technology infrastructure – and their businesses.
But as with any emerging technology development, there are plenty of potential pitfalls and dead-ends to avoid. There’s also no shortage of vendors making claims about what their cloud solutions can actually deliver today, and what to expect further down the road.
Just as important, because cloud computing can have such a profound impact on a company’s IT model – not to mention its business model – technology and business leaders need to understand the broader impact cloud computing could have on their organisations. It’s not just about the challenge of determining the right cloud vendors and implementation strategies. It is also about data management policies, security, risk, compliance, and even tax strategies, and these are only a handful of the areas that can be significantly impacted by cloud adoption.
Consequently, it helps to have a practical plan for Cloud Computing that simultaneously allows companies to take advantage of these benefits now while also accounting for its wider impact throughout the business. That’s when Cloud Computing can deliver real, long-term business value.
Key contacts
| Harry Goddard, Partner T +353 1 417 2589 |
Simon Murphy, Director T +353 1 417 3868 |
