Cloud computing is an emerging trend in the IT market that is getting a considerable amount of attention from the media and technology vendors alike.
The benefits behind this evolution in connected networks are numerous and, in principle, should facilitate considerable change to multiple sectors via dynamic offerings such as SaaS, or software as a service, and basic public cloud services such as Google Docs and Dropbox.
Despite this, distributors and distribution channels have remained tight-lipped regarding what many perceive to be a miraculous turnaround within the technological landscape. Plainly put, this is because of a distinct lack of commercially viable cloud-based models to take to market at this time.
Within the IT community, the strongest support is from vendors beginning to roll out cloud services. Naturally, these organisations are using significant resources to build a "buzz" around the cloud-computing model.
Many IT publications run articles about the emergence of cloud computing and how it is expected to revolutionise the way in which the public relates to information. Despite this, cloud computing is yet to truly arrive. From a distributor’s perspective, there is a total lack of off-the-shelf, cloud-based offerings that can be presented to retailers.
Cloud computing is a concept that is yet to reach fruition. This can be likened to the development of voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) systems a decade ago. Although this technology was inherent within network infrastructures of the time, both vendors and the media promoted PABX instalments as the next evolution in human communication.
The reality, however, is that when VoIP reached a level of technological maturity required to deliver retail-based offerings, it captured only a portion of the market. Although VoIP is still popular, it accounts for a relatively small portion of the consumer and business markets.
Cloud computing is following a similar trend. Although the benefits of this technology cannot be denied, there should be a healthy level of questioning about just how influential it will become in the long term.
A good example of cloud’s current inability to provide basic, take-to-market packages is to be found in the small and medium enterprise sector. It is unlikely that in two years a small medical practice will operate solely through a network-based cloud infrastructure.
Although parts of the business may depend on public cloud offerings, there are no viable offerings that cater to this market and which make an argument for moving a company’s entire infrastructure into the hosted environment.
This does not mean the cloud model will fail to be widely adopted. Within the big business environment cloud computing already offers numerous benefits in the data centre and core IT responsibilities.
Large capital investment is being made into opening up cloud services in the data centre, resulting in new opportunities for vendors and suppliers to cater to these needs.
Off-the-shelf cloud-based services, however, may never materialise in the manner many are expecting. For this reason, it may be wise to readjust the expectation placed on cloud computing in favour of allowing it to grow organically.
• Conradie is MD of Comztek.