Open Group Publishes Guidelines on Cloud Computing ROI

In an important industry contribution, The Open Group has published a white paper on how to build and measure cloud computing return on investment (ROI). Produced by the Cloud Business Artifacts (CBA) project of The Open Group Cloud Computing Work Group, the document:

• Introduces the main factors affecting ROI from Cloud Computing, and compares the business development of Cloud Computing with that of other innovative technologie;
• Describes the main approaches to building ROI by taking advantage of the benefits that Cloud Computing provide; and
• Describes approaches to measuring this ROI, absolutely and in comparison with traditional approaches to IT, by giving an overview of Cloud Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics

In presenting their model, business metrics were used to translate indicators of cloud computing capacity-utilization curves into direct and indirect business benefits. The metrics used include:

Speed of Cost Reduction;

Optimizing Ownership Use;

Rapid Provisioning;

Increase Margin;

Dynamic Usage; and

Risk and Compliance Improvement;

A description of the ROI model used is also provided.

A definite must read!

Available online at http://www.opengroup.org/cloud/whitepapers/ccroi/index.htm

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The Army's iPhone Story

Sandra Erwin of National Defense magazine just published an excellent article on the Army's foray into developing soldier-friendly smartphone applications.  Giving credit to Army CIO Lt. Gen, Jeffrey Sorenson and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Sandra describes the services first steps towards the use of smartphones and cloud computing.According to the article, the Army is already planning to outfit 200 soldiers in a Fort Bliss, Texas brigade this year with an iPhone like device. “They’ll have the apps for system maintenance, instruction manuals. … Soldiers will give us feedback and comments on performance of the equipment, Wikipedia-like.”

I would also like to thank Sandra for giving me the opportunity to provide my views on this forward leaning move by the Army. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of teaching a Army Knowledge Leaders class on cloud computing.  Being a Naval Academy grad, you can imagine how difficult it is for me to give the Army credit for anything!!

GO NAVY!! BEAT ARMY !!!!

OK. That feels better :-)




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Vivek Kundra Steps Up to Cloud Computing's Next Challenge

" [C]loud customers must be able to easily store, access, and process data across multiple clouds; weave together a mesh of different services to meet their needs; and have a way to collaborate with business partners around the globe. Federated clouds – networks of interoperable clouds that work together – will give rise to service grids which can harmonize technologies, business processes and policies to provide support across multiple businesses, industries, and levels of government. Through such a "network of networks" the true potential of cloud computing will be realized. 


This is why National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is charged with leading our efforts on standards for data portability, cloud interoperability, and security."

  - Vivek Kundra, April 8, 2010

Through NIST, the Federal government will now address cloud interoperability, portability and security in a focused and collaborative manner. To kick this off,  a "Cloud Summit" on May 20, 2010 will be used to introduce NIST as the lead organization for the definition of the Federal Government’s requirements for cloud computing, key technical research, and United States standards development. In my view, the Federal government and industry are now fully engaged in an exciting joint effort to build the cloud computing industry.

To drive this, NIST has created centralized certification process to provide common security management services to Federal agencies.

"The process supports the development of common security requirements and performs authorization and continuous monitoring services for government-wide use, enabling Federal agencies to rapidly, securely and cost-effectively procure technologies. Agencies can realize these benefits by leveraging the security authorizations provided through a joint authorization board. The board consists of the agency sponsoring a system’s government-wide authorization and three permanent members: the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the General Services Administration. The board will provide both initial and ongoing acceptance of risk on behalf of the government as systems are continuously monitored throughout their lifecycle."

The full text of Vivek Kundra's remarks and his slides are available on-line.

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