Cloud Computing: Turning potential into performance-driven value

Technologies like virtualisation are used to extract every available CPU cycle and free disk space. New management tools – built for cross platform interoperability - have been devised to automate customer provisioning and resource allocation.

One inevitable consequence of building an efficient economy of scale is the co-location of several customers’ data and other assets within shared data centres, separated by new and often untested management controls.
 
New platform
Another major implication, perhaps the most fundamental of all, is the fact that the new technical architecture that enables this economic efficiency is essentially a new application development platform. Major platform shifts are rare generational occurrences in computing. Software is being reinvented in the cloud and businesses are being reinvented by this new paradigm. The unprecedented rate of change and development in a “live” operating environment means the need for a competent, agile and trusted channel is of paramount importance.

Whilst the advent of the cloud computing trend is clearly gaining momentum, there are  legitimate questions to be raised regarding the timing to migrate to cloud computing, particularly for extremely sensitive information and mission critical processes. Customers have been clear on this point – any decision to migrate workloads and services to the cloud will be taken with great care and only after a thorough assessment of risk to return is completed. In most cases, customers will once again turn to their trusted advisers in the channel for help with the assessment, procurement and migration of identified workloads and services.
Security concerns
A recent IDC survey of CIOs reveals that 89 percent of those surveyed list security concerns as the primary inhibitor to the speed at which they are considering a move to the cloud. As such, an immediate opportunity for the channel is to offer a comprehensive security audit in partnership with trusted vendors in the identity, access management and security business.

Audits will help customers discover where sensitive information resides within an organisation, how it is shared and who has access to it and where the potential risks may lie in their current or proposed network architecture. The partner who works with a customer on this critical assessment, is then ideally positioned to help design and build a cloud-based IT strategy that supports the future needs of the organisation. Underpinning this strategy will be the appropriate technologies and processes that address complex information management, workloads and security requirements including automating business processes, mitigating security risks and laying the foundation for compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
Tremendous opportunity
And this is just the start of what should blossom into a tremendous opportunity for the channel over the next few years. The channel has a huge opportunity to influence the direction of cloud computing, the IT industry and the capabilities delivered by cloud providers through their work with customers. All stakeholders are beholding to the customer and the channel often has the trust and accountability for guiding customers forward with the market and their evolving business requirements.

With proper focus, early investment and a commitment to developing customer ready expertise, the channel is in a perfect position to guide customers from the precipice of hype to the stable service environment and benefits that cloud computing will deliver. The journey towards the benefits of leveraging the Cloud begins with the first, trusted and secure, step.

Are you ready to take your customers there?