Dispelling the Common Myths Surrounding Cloud Computing

The IT industry as a whole has seen cloud computing grow and evolve at an impressive pace, and at NEF we are frequently asked about whether virtualization is a passing fad or a legitimate strategy for established enterprises and fast growing SMBs. These specific queries from IT decision makers all seem to cluster around the same set of ideas, and in some cases, misconceptions, about the cloud. From dissecting security concerns to discussing budgetary issues and even answering questions on how to embark on such a change over to a cloud environment, NEF consults with companies that are researching and/or implementing a virtualization strategy. With the help of some of the industry’s leading cloud providers such as Hosted Solutions, NEF is working to demystify the cloud.

Overview | Getting to the Bottom of the Cloud

The model for cloud computing is attractive to businesses because it requires very little internal infrastructure and capital outlay as all necessary applications and files are stored on large, centralized servers/computers in data centers.  End-users benefit from the dynamic and responsive nature of virtualized environments because they can be modified on-the-fly and without time-consuming updates.

“The cloud is great because it gives you a lower cost of entry into a highly available, scalable environment,” says Mike Lee, Northeast Regional Manager at Hosted Solutions. Hosted Solutions provides enterprise-ready cloud solutions as part of their colocation and managed services suite and has taken a leadership position in the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) space.

Seems like only blue sky – but as with any emerging technology that gets a lot of buzz, cloud computing is also surrounded by many misconceptions.  It is helpful to deconstruct and dispel these myths to better determine if harnessing the cloud is the best fit for you and your business.

Common discussions surrounding virtualization include the following four areas:

1.     Reliability – cloud computing solutions are less available than traditional dedicated hosting and data center solutions.

2.     Pricing – pricing for virtualization seems to raise questions. What’s the bottom line?

3.     Migration – Moving from a physical to virtual environment is a hassle. Is it worth it?

4.     Security – virtualization is not as secure as traditional solutions.

 

Click here to download the entire white paper on Dispelling the Common Myths | Surrounding Cloud Computing.