Many companies are familiar with the concept of cloud computing, but aren’t sure of how to implement it, how to manage their business technology investment and who to turn to for assistance.
According to Jacques Malherbe, CEO of Westcon SA, the cloud is for all businesses, no matter the industry, the size or the operation.
“I don’t believe that the cloud will change the way people will do things, I do think it will change the way we approach things, much like social media has changed the way people talk to each other. The cloud brings all things together and presents an opportunity for all of us to better understand the role and need for technology,” he adds.
Choose your cloud game
Malherbe says businesses need to pick a game, they need to decide how they want their cloud to look and technology businesses must ensure that they are able to deliver on this.
The drivers behind the birth of cloud computing are numerous but some of the most business centric of these include the need to reduce energy consumption, asset usage, complex provisioning and the integrity and availability of information. Other factors include the changing face of the empowered user, realtime information and collaborative information as well as economic pressures.
Looking at the service offerings within the cloud Malherbe says there is a shape and type of cloud designed to fit all users, businesses can take advantage of a private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud and community cloud, each of which caters for the express needs of the customer. All of which are provided by either a cloud builder, cloud services reseller or cloud provider.
“Cloud computing is not going to change the world as we know it, but what is changing is how we access and consume ICT services. We don’t want a phone we want the dial tone. Yes we want services but we want automatic access to all of the services our ICT infrastructure provides as well as available in the digital universe,” he says. “Where the real change comes in is that with the cloud and cloud computing businesses will be pressed to rethink key strategies and go-to-market plans and everyone will be compelled to embrace new business models and learn new technologies.
“Perhaps more importantly, and more relevant right now for the business person as well as IT, is that both now need to find their place in the world of cloud computing,” states Malherbe.