[LINK] strategic technologies

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Ivan Trundle wrote:
> On 23/11/2009, at 10:29 AM, Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:
>
>   
>>> Having said that, wasn't it Larry Ellison who noted that cloud computing is defined as 'everything that we currently do'?
>>>
>>>       
>> Larry may have said it, but it doesn't make it right.
>>     
>
> Okay - he is at the other end of the spectrum from where I sit.
>
>   
>> Cloud computing is a solution to a particular problem. That problem is 
>> one for which standardised, highly scalable infrastructure is a 
>> solution.
>>     
>
> Most SMEs are not in that position, and do not always have the wherewithal to support computerised projects beyond the capacity of their existing business resources. I can think of many examples where cloud computing fits the bill remarkably well, purely because it's far cheaper to outsource the support, maintenance, and overall delivery of a computerised service than to build it in-house.
>
> Paradoxically, smaller businesses often have less of a standardised infrastructure than larger organisations: certainly the case in my experience. However, non-staffing infrastructure is often a small fraction of the cost of many computing projects, and many SMEs don't have the staff to maintain the existing infrastructure, relying heavily on external support, which reduces their capacity to scale.
>   
I don't dispute that Cloud Computing has its place in the spectrum of 
future IT solutions, however what I dislike is the sort of statement 
from Larry that it is 'everything that we currently do'.

He's either ignorant of the legacy and/or real world or it's all part of 
the marketing hype that just confuses many IT managers.

BTW, an interesting observation is that the 50% smallest government 
agencies, those who probably have the greatest requirements for 
standardised solutions account for well under 5% of total Federal 
Government ICT spend. Putting all those agencies into a cloud 
environment might sound like a good idea, but it would be a lot of 
effort for not much return.

-- 
 
Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au