Cloud computing will 'dramatically change IT'

Cloud computing will 'dramatically change IT'

Cloud computing is set to bring about dramatic changes in the way IT works, many industry professionals believe.

A recent survey of Gartner Symposium ITxpo 2011 attendees, conducted by Appiro, revealed that 85 per cent of those questioned believe that the technology will dramatically change IT over the next five to ten years.

The vast majority of those surveyed were found to already be embracing cloud computing. Thirty per cent said that they have five or more applications in the cloud, while just 13 per cent are yet to move any applications over to the cloud system.

However, while previous research projects have suggested that companies are predominantly tempted to make the switch to save costs, this survey found that many businesses have alternative motivations for switching.

Dana Wolfe, client partner for IT outsourcing group Dimension Data, told Channel Insider that centralisation and control are the key reasons for companies switching to cloud computing.

He added: “Cloud is not a technology solution. It’s a business solution that leverages technology, and needs to be carefully evaluated as one. It changes the face of IT, and how IT needs to assess cloud.

“Non-technology issues need to be carefully assessed before embarking on a cloud strategy, and ideally as a step as part of that journey. The technology challenges, e.g. security – are more easily addressed through smart architecture," he added.

The comments follow similar remarks from Mark Diamond, chief information officer at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Remarking on the bank's switch to virtualisation, he told Computer Weekly that the case for the system changes needs to be put forward with the company in mind, rather than the computer. "The business doesn't care about tech jargon. The business does not understand technology," he said. "But it does understand that we need to change the way we work."

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.