IT strategy to deliver cloud computing values

In my earlier article “IT Strategy to deliver cloud computing values” (http://nandiamit.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html), I mentioned I will discuss about approach of implementing cloud computing at enterprise level. Here I would like to discuss about potential stapes or approach to implement the cloud computing. According to IDC in 2010 about 14.4% of Enterprise’s IT budget allocated for private and/or public cloud computing. So enterprises are already started working on or planning to transform their IT infrastructure into cloud computing model. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Information Technology Laboratory has already defined Cloud computing as a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.

Business challenges and IT priorities are the two major factors that will set the direction of the cloud computing initiative for most enterprises. Mapping enterprise’s characteristics like competing on time to market and quality, with business challenges like must keep space with rapid change in market place, and with IT priorities like non functional requirements are the best place to start. Cloud computing from architecture perspective has five distinct layers: Infrastructure Services, Platform Services, Application Services, Business Services, and People Services or Standard Internet Services. Most enterprises do not have any distinct layer definition or supporting structure. Now the question is do we need to work on this area to adopt Cloud computing model. I will say you do not have to but keep the big picture in mind and create a tactical plan for immediate steps that will help cloud computing implementation.

Therefore, we should first complete the mapping of business challenges and IT priorities. Create all architecture documents as a next step. Challenge comes when you have to make decision about application migration to cloud computing model. Output of Analytic Hierarchy Process of all potential applications can help to make decision about application identification and migration strategy. Please contact me for how to develop IT Strategy, road map, and identifying projects for transforming your enterprise into cloud computing model.