The Myths and the Facts about Cloud Computing
There are numerous myths surrounding cloud computing. Some have become an impediment to implementation, and many others just confused the matter altogether. It is imperative to know what these myths are and why they are restricting the use of cloud computing, so let’s take a moment to try to clear the air a little.
Myth: Cloud computing is only for large enterprises
This is perhaps the biggest myth of all. Most small businesses and entrepreneurs think that cloud infrastructure is only for the big fish, and subsequently they do not consider it an option. But the facts are different. According to a report from Forbes, only 19% of enterprises have adopted the cloud extensively, while 41% of small and medium businesses are using the cloud heavily. Even if we assume a 10% margin of error, SMBs are far more enthusiastic about new technology.
The implications are obvious. The benefits of cloud computing are spread over a large spectrum of businesses. Small players and entrepreneurs should think of cloud technology as an enabler, and not merely a tool for the rich and large enterprises.
Fact: Enterprises are opting for a multi-cloud strategy
This is not surprising. We have always known that large business entities are slow in adopting new technology due to managerial inertia. As a result, they are more likely to experiment with various cloud options. For large enterprises using hybrid strategy, 61% use the public cloud for running their applications, 38% in private, and 29% hybrid clouds.
The above figures indicate that enterprises which are absorbing the experience of cloud technology are likely to move towards a multi-cloud strategy in future. For such organizations, the initial choice to move to the cloud — whether, private, public or hybrid — will likely mean they will settle on a new formation over time.
Fact: Cloud maturity leads to more extensive deployment
Beginning with small steps has always been the norm with most businesses. Surveys show that the deployment of cloud services increases with time and experience. Enterprises which are cloud focused have migrated many of their applications to the cloud. The top three functions which are running in the cloud are development, testing and web centric applications.
It has also been reported that businesses which adopt cloud services extensively are also likely to benefit more from them. Quick deployment of infrastructure, speedier time to market and high scalability are all common benefits cited by enterprises.
Myth: Integration with existing infrastructure is easy
Migrating from traditional infrastructure to the cloud has been made to look like an easy task. However there are many challenges. Issues of security and compliance are major factors to be considered by enterprises. Governance and control have to be remodeled to address the new cloud environment.
A big challenge is the integration of existing internal systems. This can be a difficult issue to manage, and employees are likely to show resistance to change. Staff training is therefore essential to successfully migrate to a cloud environment.
The lack of specific expertise in handling cloud properties can be a handicap. Only experience and time can resolve such issues. We have to first overcome the myths surrounding cloud services before we can successfully implement these technologies.
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About the Guest Author:
Sankarambadi Srinivasan, ‘Srini’, is a maverick writer, technopreneur, geek and online marketing enthusiast rolled into one. He began his career as a Naval weapon specialist. Later, he sold his maiden venture and became head of an offshore Database administration company in Mumbai. He moved on as Chief Technology Officer of one of the largest online entities, where he led consolidation of 300 online servers and introduced several Web 2.0 initiatives. He holds a Master’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication.
