Cloud computing: hype versus reality

Cloud computing is an emerging trend in the IT market in other words getting a considerable amount of attention from the media and innovation 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 just as SaaS, or software as a service, and basic public cloud services just as Google Docs and Dropbox.

The IT community

Within the IT community, the strongest support is from vendors beginning to roll out cloud services. Intrinsically, 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. In spite of this, cloud computing is but to actually arrive. From a distributor's perspective, there is a total lack of off-the-shelf, cloud-based offerings that can be presented to retailers.

Concept in other words yet to reach fruition

Cloud computing is a concept in other words yet to reach fruition. This can be likened to the development of voice-over internet protocol systems a decade ago. Even though this research was inherent within network infrastructures of the time, both vendors and the media promoted PABX instalments as the straightway evolution in human communication.

The reality, but, is that when VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) reached a level of technological maturity required to deliver retail-based offerings, it captured only a portion of the market. Even though VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is after all popular, it accounts for a relatively small portion of the consumer and business markets.

Similar trend

Cloud computing is following a similar trend. Though the benefits of this research 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.

The business may depend on public cloud offerings

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.

Off-the-shelf cloud-based services, nevertheless, 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.