Cloud Computing Perceptions Challenged
Cloud Computing Perceptions Challenged
1: Cloud computing is just a buzz word and a fad
Cloud Computing is a new term and the technology behind has been evolving over the past decade, leading to some people to dismiss cloud computing as merely a brief fad. However, the exponential growth in this market has lead to Gartner predicting that the cloud computing market is set to grow to around $56bn in revenues in 2010 alone.
As the technology behind it continues to improve and the benefits of low costs and maximised efficiency, it seems that companies are overcoming their initial reluctance to fully embrace the cloud. It seems that cloud computing is here for the long haul.
2: Cloud computing is unsecured and unsafe.
Security has been a concern commonly voiced in regard to cloud computing, however recent advancements in technology have seen vast improvements made. The level of security available is obviously dependant on the cloud provider. Some of the more advanced cloud networks have excellent physical and virtual security. It is vital that you ask potential cloud providers exactly what they do to ensure your security and compliance.
Public cloud services may well not be secure enough for some users, in this case a virtual private cloud or some mixture of onsite and offsite solution may be better.
3: Cloud computing is unreliable
No system has total reliability; however cloud computing solutions are typically designed to have high availability and resiliency. In fact, by replicating data over multiple platforms in different data centres, in many cases a cloud solution can be more reliable than a traditional onsite system.
4: Cloud services have poor performance
As with many solutions there are many different types of cloud offering different levels of performance to the user. In many cases though cloud computing services outperform traditional onsite models due to higher levels of capacity and increased scalability.
5: Cloud services are too complex
There are many different cloud computing services out there with differing degrees of complexity. But in fact many cloud computing solutions simplify system management and involve few changes to applications.
6: Pay as you go services will cost me more in the long run
Cloud computing has the ability to offer massive reductions in capital expenditure, savings that can be passed on to the consumer. Typically Cloud computing can reduce CAPEX and offering instead a predictable arrangement for your OpEx (ongoing operational expenditure costs) that can be offered with pricing that is commensurate with your usage. It is important to determine exactly what the package will offer you, consider all facets of the coverage, reliability, scalability, support engineering costs etc.
7: Enterprises should avoid cloud computing
The benefits of cloud computing can be applied with equal success to SMB’s and Enterprises. Enterprises are traditionally more reluctant to adopt new technologies and as such the SMB market has accepted the benefits of the cloud more readily. Many industry analysts are predicting that enterprises will soon be taking cloud services to the heart of their organisations over the next few years.
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