Last fall Garner, identified cloud computing as one of the top technologies for 2012. After years of talk and a bit of hype, cloud computing is now emerging as an essential part of business planning and development. Recognizing the potential cost savings and ease of control, the US Government has made several announcements in recent weeks that indicate an embrace of cloud computing technology.
The U.S. Army announced early in January their decision to select seven cloud computing firms that will compete on a task order basis, providing cloud computing services that support the US Army Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems. Project completion is estimated December 16, 2016.
Last December the White House announced a major cloud computing initiative designed to spur wider agency adoption of cloud computing. The government recognizes that cloud computing could be a reduce $80 billion in federal information-technology spending. The initiative was also designed to “ease concerns among technology officials at U.S. agencies that the cloud is less secure.” The goal is to see a major roll out over the next six months.
Cloud Computing Has Become Routine for Many Computer Users
As Gartner says, 2012 appears to be a year of major year of investment in cloud computing. Many small to medium businesses are still just beginning to learn about cloud computing. Most likely we’ve all begun participating in the cloud in one way or another. From streaming movies to purchasing and downloading software online, we changing our habit media access and delivery from physical objects like CDs and DVDs to accessing media online via the Internet.
Cloud Computing Delivers Media, Applications and Backups
In the popular space it’s become easier to download and upload media such as music, film, personal documents and such. At the same time, popular sites like Facebook and Gmail have trained us to use applications or software instead of on our computers. Cloud computing has simplified access to media and applications as well as automated online backups that upload our music, documents and other assets in the background.
Cloud Computing Can Safe Businesses Money and Increase Performance
While cloud computing delivers popular services like YouTube and Facebook, it can also reduce costs for businesses, increase the speed of implementation, support new levels of mobility, open access to a wide range of custom applications and much more. Small to medium businesses have cost-effective access to technological support that previously was only available to enterprise level organizations.
Cloud Computing Comes with Security and Dependability Challenges
In spite of the wide range of reasons that business can and should take advantage of cloud computing, there are still inherent challenges in utilizing the potential of cloud computing. Last summer, several major cloud providers had a problem that delayed access to cloud services for a period of time. Many major businesses were impacted. As I wrote last summer, “Human error and technological failure resulted in service outage, blocking users out of their control panels.” Problems like this can spook businesses away from the obvious benefits in cloud computing.
Cloud Computing Implementation Needs a Robust Security and Redundancy Strategy
The challenge is planning a proper strategy that addresses challenges instead of abandoning a valuable tool. Businesses considering utilizing cloud services for some of their business applications and data storage, must consider how they want to utilize the cloud, the risk tolerance for certain types of data, how data will be delivered/accessed users and what type of users need access. Regardless of cloud initiatives, businesses also need a robust redundancy plan in place.
If your business has been consider cloud computing from afar, the experts at Integracon can help you develop a strategy for that includes your goals, your vulnerabilities, your challenges, and your opportunities. We can help you scope an implementation that addresses your concerns and expectations in a cost-effective way. For more information on how Integracon can help you, please call us 865-330-2323, or chat via the Integracon Contact page.
