Govt heads for cloud

The investment required to build cloud computing platforms is one of the challenges blocking implementation, says Gitoc chairman Julius Segole.

Chairman Julius Segole says the strategy is to enable the implementation of cloud computing in government entities since this is what's standing in the way of immediate implementation.

Single NGN [at once-generation network]

“The basics to easily migrate to cloud computing are in place in so far as SITA [State IT Agency] has been able to connect government departments to a single NGN [at once-generation network] and has facilities to host shared government platforms.”

However, Segole adds that there is no policy or strategy on how government can migrate to private cloud computing, or which outline opportunities for cloud computing, required infrastructure and governance, and an implementation plan.

Cordys Software SA CEO Mike Rolfe says the migration to cloud computing will save billions of rands of taxpayers' money and improve service delivery.

Industry analysts predict that up to 87% of all computing will be inside the cloud by 2013. If local government doesn't embrace the cloud, it risks being moreover anachronistic than it already is, says Rolfe.

Single research platform can easily

“The point about cloud computing is that a single research platform can easily and cost-effectively deliver multiple instances of particular types of software services, each of which is tailored very precisely to the specific needs of individual organisations.”

He adds that the municipalities only need Internet connectivity to access the platform and cloud computing will at that time remove the need for each municipality to buy their own hardware and the software needed to run HR, billing, procurement, asset management, and all the other activities relevant to these structures.

Virtual private network

He adds that SA's government online portal is a virtual private network. In substance, Rolfe says, VPNs are private clouds and all the portal would have to do is extend its network capabilities to service local governments.

“There is as well the need to fast-track the implementation of VPNs to government departments and ensure superior network performance. The cost of using a cloud computing service will have to be minimised to ensure value for money.”

Segole as well says the investment required to build cloud computing platforms is one of the biggest challenges blocking implementation.