Entries from May 2008
What is a tipping point? Where is the tipping point? Wikipedia says that the tipping point describes the point at which ‘a slow gradual change becomes irreversible and then proceeds with gathering pace.’
I envision the game of Jenga falling - when someone makes a wrong move and the entire tower comes crashing down.
It’s difficult to pin down the precise moment when an idea or a movement reaches a stage of cultural adoption. Early adopters are considered either brave or stupid, but if the adoption pays off, healthy benefits can be reaped (both financially and for increased/improved work flow).
In the context of cloud computing, a large question marks looms over this tipping point. Have we reached that point? Did it pass? Are we on the cusp?
Some vendors believe that this age is fully upon us, and has been for some time. There are companies out there that can provide completely cloud-based computing solutions, and advocate moving one’s enterprise IT completely over to it. It’s a tall order, but this option is a real one. Amazon Web Services, Salesforce.com and Google are all messaging this point loud and clear.
In the market, a CXO has a lot of diverse options when choosing how they want their IT to function. The vendors I just mentioned are only a handful of companies in this universe of choices. Plus, there are some real objections as to why cloud computing is not a good move. What about custom applications?
Cloud vendors have an answer to this common question. Force.com, Rails and PHP hosting have all demonstrated that the reality of custom cloud-based computing is here with us now.
Enterprises can even handle their transactions in the cloud via PayPal - eBay’s cloud solution. So is there functionality that can’t be found in the cloud?
I believe that this point has been tipped.
Categories: Corporate Culture · cloud computing
Tagged: cloud computing, custom applications, tipping point
As of late, this is a question that has been popping up quite frequently. And with good reason.
How software vendors tackle their position with regard to the cloud is tricky. How many vendors can stand up and say that the future of the enterprise lies completely in the cloud? No doubt, it’s a big statement. Amazon Web Services are there. Google is also there. But the bulk of software vendors are not touting the same message.
Hardware and chip makers don’t advocate all-cloud computing, as their bread and butter has a lot to lose if companies switch over to subscription, web-based apps. Their strategy relating to the cloud has a different spin and message - depending on the vendor:
If you’re Sun Microsystems, your message is ‘use our stuff to access the cloud.’
If you’re IBM, your message is ‘be sure to secure your data center in the cloud with our stuff.’
If you’re Dell, your message is ‘use our stuff if you’re a service provider looking to buy thousands of systems.’
One thing is certain; technology providers know they need to get with this program pretty quick. Jonathan Schwartz, the CEO of Sun has made it very clear that Sun is very focused on powering the data centers that power the cloud.
Time will tell how similar vendors will position themselves, but ensuring that they meet the cloud front head on is a must.
PS: ’stuff’ is my blanket term for technical intricacies I don’t understand.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: Amazon, cloud computing, Dell, Google, IBM, stuff, Sun
Motives are silly things. Do they always have to matter? I suppose it depends on what the product or goal of your motivation results in. If it’s for the greater good, I doubt it matters how you arrived there - just that you’re there.
Here is my point: lately it seems that being eco-conscious is cool. If you can put a green spin on an idea, it becomes much more attractive. Are you going to buy some groceries? BYO Tote! Are you commuting to work? Ride your bike!
For the record, I do care about the environment. But I also am a touch cynical when I see these trends emerging. On the flip-side, if folks need to think being green is en vogue in order to start making changes, I’m all for it. Look what Lance Armstrong and his yellow bracelets did - he made charity fashionable. Genius! I’m willing to swallow my sarcastic remarks and feel happy that this green epidemic is taking over.
Cashing in on trends is just smart marketing. The green wave is not the only movement sweeping the globe. Don’t things seem so much cooler when you can ‘2.0-ify’ them? Oh man.
And what if you could classify something as both 2.0 and green? My God that is brilliant. Someone should really think about how to position themselves as ‘Green 2.0′. Actually - it appears that Software-as-a Service ( SaaS) has done just that.
Traditional software relies on energy inefficient, draining and cumbersome hardware. And as technology progresses (which it will do - forever), out-dated pieces of hardware are difficult to recycle. By comparison, SaaS reduces those pesky carbon dioxide emissions, and there’s no new gadget to purchase. The web delivers the software to you without effort.
Centralized SaaS data centers also minimize waste. Instead of individuals operating individual data centers, a large communal SaaS data center is more efficient, leaner and greener.
SaaS is so cool.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: cool, data center, green, Lance Armstrong, SaaS
When a division within an organization finds a better way to work together, they should be able to implement the tool without IT breathing down their necks. However, in the midst of corporate security, that’s not a very realistic expectation.
Implementation of web 2.0 technologies are being championed by smaller work groups, and IT has to slightly relinquish their control. Security, governance and user admittance are all serious concerns of any smart IT professional. When wikis, RSS and blogs are thrown into the mix, this ‘old guard’ way of thinking poses a lot of ‘what ifs?’ for these work groups to consider.
These raised eyebrows are set to rise even further when attempting to spread these solutions across large enterprise (25,000 employees +). Enterprise-wide scalability is not a light weight job, and my bet is the majority of CTOs from large corporations don’t list RSS feeds as a high priority.
When considering scalability, enterprise-wide case studies are few and far between. As work groups push for adoption, it will be interesting to see which companies take the plunge. These early adopters will be essential not only in forming the learning curve, but will also provide a framework to build upon.
Categories: Corporate Culture
Tagged: CTO, early adoption, enterprise-wide scalability, Rosie the Riveter
