As the demand for cloud computing systems and applications increases, IT is more and more being driven towards performing the role of accelerator of the business, according to storage vendor NetApp.
As a result, the vendor notes, the IT department needs to rethink its processes and adopt a shared IT infrastructure strategy that moves from the siloed approach of the past to one that is more efficient and flexible.
“CIOs, the world over, are looking for ways in which to better align IT to the needs of the business while at the same time ensuring they are able to keep their budgets in check,” says Andreas K"onig, senior vice-president and general manager of NetApp EMEA.
“It is all hinged around a long-term view and strategy for business, where in the end business will be able to take advantage of shared resources, dramatically reduce the overall cost of their technology investments and ultimately leverage improvements in productivity,” he adds.
K"onig also points out that taking the cloud into account, businesses need to understand that potentially the single most important technology investment they will need to make is into storage capacity.
According to Mike Styer, country manager of NetApp SA, the notion that cloud computing is the use of Internet-based services to sustain a business process supports the organisational need for rapid deployment of technologies and faster value realisation as well as cost efficiencies.
Styer explains that the fact that little to no start-up cost or capital investment is required in order to enter the cloud makes it an attractive proposition for companies.
“When you deploy services in the cloud, you can do so quickly and easily and you can also take advantage of the fact that scaling these up or down comes with little to no penalties to yourself,” says Styer.
“Remember services in the cloud are multi-tenant, making it an evasive service, particularly relevant for the growing business.”
Looking ahead at the future of the cloud, Styer says: “There is no doubt there is a future for cloud computing, just look at where the big technology players such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft and IBM are putting their money - its going into the cloud.
“But what now needs to happen is that standards for the cloud need to emerge that will drive down apprehension and drive up adoption of services.”
Styer, however, urges that with any new service or technology innovation, naturally, there are risks, thus business should always know what they are paying for, what their service level agreements are, and what they can measure the service they are receiving against.
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