Finally a rationale discussion of Cloud Computing

Through attending a webinar hosted by Safari Books Online from author, David Linthicum, titled “Cloud Computing and SOA Convergence in Your Enterprise,” we find that most of the Cloud Computing discussions take on the overtones of the Mac vs PC debate. Those who are in favor of Cloud Computing and Software as a Service view it as the answer to all problems and anyone who disagrees with them is a luddite or worse. Those who are against Cloud Computing point to any failure as a reason why the whole movement is flawed. As consultants who advise clients on the topic, we have been searching for a more rational discussion of the pros and cons.

David Linthicum presented several valuable slides in the webinar. The first slide that was useful listed seven criteria to be used to determine when Cloud Computing is a fit. Those criteria were:

• When process, applications and data are largely independent
• When points of integration are well defined
• When a lower level of security is fine
• When the core internal architecture is healthy
• When the web is the desired platform
• When cost is an issue
• When the applications are new

The next slide listed the criteria for determining when Cloud Computing isn’t a fit. Those criteria were:

• When process, applications and data are interdependent
• When points of integration are poorly defined
• When a high level of security is needed
• When the core internal architecture needs work
• When the application requires a native interface
• When cost is an issue
• When the applications is legacy

David also provided a 17 step process for implementing a cloud computing initiative.

We have found this to be one of the few objective and balanced assessments of Cloud Computing and recommend that you read his blogs and book. His book is available on Amazon and he has a blog at http://davidlinthicum.sys-con.com/