Opinions on what are the current problems of Cloud Computing ?
I am looking to get some input on the following :
- Does anyone have any experience on Cloud Computing usage issues ?
- Usability ?
- Practicality ?
- Service Integration ?
- Legal issues?
What problems would you see that needs to be solved ASAP for example?
Thanks for answering !
Answers (5)
Mike L.
▄▀▄ ACT! Evangelist ▄▀▄
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There are different types of Cloud Computing and SaaS...
* some which are fully web based, some hybrid web/local
* public or private clouds
The web based ones can be a problem if used in areas where the internet connection is less than reliable or for smart phone access when out of range
They also tend to be less easy to extract/export data - especially if wanting to move to a different platform/product.
Additionally, they are more susceptible to security issues... not just from the site, but malware/key-loggers that the user may have become infected with elsewhere.
I have also seen some users resistant to regular/on-going fees... owning the software may mean a higher upfront investment, but the costs for any upgrades only need to be paid if the user sees an RIO and has the capital.
As we support ACT! by Sage, where local, cloud and hybrid are all possible, this is something that I have an interest in.
Links:
Clarification added February 7, 2010:
On the positive... rolling updates is easier with Cloud as is maintaining the users.
Martin B.
General Manager, JETCAM/ Marketing Manager at 123insight
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This will be tested much more when Google launches their Chrome OS, as many of their products will be accessed over the cloud, and data will be stored online as well.
Biggest problems are:
1. Access. If your internet access dries up for any reason (bad connection at home/office, no 3G connection etc) you cannot work. This for me is the biggest reason for keeping things like docs/images/music/video local
2. Cross browser compatibility.
3.Company stability - what if your provider goes bust, gets raided by the police or some other unforeseen issue that takes their site down?
4. Security. Your data in their hands. Do you trust every member of their staff? Do you trust them to place the same level of security on your data as you do? Their systems are online 24/7, whereas you may turn your PC off for 10-15 hours a day, reducing the window of opportunity for a hack attack
5. Legal. Your data may not be hosted in your country, and therefore you may be subject to different laws. Whether that will cause a problem will perhaps depend on the data you are storing, but if you are a porn website... ;)
If you are hosting your own server and apps then this removes many of the above, but if you are relying on a 3rd party, ensure that you are satisfied that your data will not fall foul of any of the above.
I think the current problem of cloud computing is just trying to define exactly what that means, what it offers, and what its function entails. There are varying levels of "as-a-service" offerings that exist already- Software, infrastructure, Storage, Server, that was offered before the "cloud" became the next buzz word.
Once you determine what you want "cloud computing" to be, the next problem/question would be how you can wrap this model into a viable service model.
I think certain pieces have been successful, but I havent seen a fully integrated Cloud Computing service offering yet. Cisco, Microsoft, EMC, Amazon,etc all have their versions of how they are attacking this service but they hit it primarily from their original background and traditional offerings. If there is a software overall that can service all these areas and deliver true cloud computing, please let me know and correct me.
The biggest "problem," based soley on which issue recieves the most press, would be security issues. The security of cloud platforms ties in directly with things like legal issues and compliance which is more in line with what you are asking. However, to ignore security would be to ignore most major publications that have asked the same question you have.
I attached a link to a post about The Economist magazine's debate about the security of cloud computing.
Hope that helps,
Alec
Links:
There is only one real "problem" that I see with Cloud Computing at the moment and that is the level of technical knowledge required to fully leverage the platform.
I was answering a Cloud Computing question earlier and in that answer I had to point out that successfully using Cloud Computing for seamless scaling requires the "application" to be well distributable.
In short, you need reliable, knowledgeable technical staff to make a Cloud Computing setup successful, as well as "Open" software that can be adapted to work with the Cloud Computing environment.
"Plug-and-play" with "Closed" software is not for Cloud Computing, not yet at any rate.
