09.28.09
Enterprise Architects Make Preparation for the Storm
Cloud computing is a hot topic. There are multitudes of articles and books pouring out to help us all better understand this new wave. We have to dig in so we can uncover the differences between a public cloud, a private cloud, and a hybrid. And then, there are new standards being developed so applications can move to any cloud and all clouds can share messages.
Some see the cloud as just another way to provision hardware, similar in concept to virtualization. Some see the cloud as “Software as a Service”. This comes as an expansion on the whole Service-Oriented Architecture approach.
Well, everyone is probably right, but no one actually knows how the cloud computing phenomenon will turn out. But, like most things, we may only need to follow the money. In the end, cloud computing will reduce costs. Hardware costs will go down because there will be greater usage of the cloud equipment. The greater usage means the users will pay less for their amount of consumption. As corporations flock to business services available in the cloud then there will be greater competition and again the cost will go down.
So, to take a broad look at this shift, let’s compare it to other historical shifts. The original business machines from IBM used punched cards to pull information processing out of each line-of-business unit into a centralized function. This was usually placed in Accounting. When this equipment was replaced by large mainframe computers, the processing function moved out of Accounting and became its own organization. This organization took care of all of the hardware and software for the entire business.
Frustration was high for the business users waiting on solutions from the centralized IT, so the situation was ripe for the introduction of the PC. Business users jumped on spreadsheet and word-processing software without hesitation. The IBM PC did exceptionally well, because the business folks believed that they would get access to their IBM mainframe data and processes.
The next big change was the internet. Unfortunately, the dreamers and investors did not fully deliver. But, even though there was a bust, many great services did survive and the internet is now a part of everyone’s life.
So what can be said about the cloud? I believe it is more about control than about money. Business users wanted control and that is what drove the purchasing of PCs. PCs were certainly not inexpensive at that time. The internet, by its nature, is about personal access and control. The cloud is heading down this path.
Information Technology groups have had their control of software chipped away over the years with packaged software and outsourced development. Now, due to cloud computing the data center is about to be outsourced.
My belief is that it will be up to the Enterprise Architects to bring clarity to this transition. It is a transition of control of Information Technology from the Corporate IT departments back to the line-of-business units. This will take us back to the form of business control that existed before the first punched card. This will put control in the hands of those who can provide the greatest level of innovation.
