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EXECUTIVE BRIEF
The Benefits
and Challenges
of Cloud Computing
For the last several years, Cloud
computing has been transforming the
ways we do business.
Thanks to new Cloud architectures,
which in turn rely on the ubiquity of the
Internet, the information technologies
on which we depend have become less
costly, more accessible, and easier to use
than ever before.
Cloud computing is quickly bringing
revolutionary mobility to our working
and personal lives, and it offers small
businesses an unparalleled opportunity
to use information technology to compete effectively with much
larger, more powerful rivals.
Quest wants you to know about both the benefits of Cloud
computing and the challenges youll encounter as you seek to
achieve those benefits ...
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PAGE 2
Getting
the
Most
from
Cloud Computing
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PAGE 3
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Cloud computings
top 5 motivators
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PAGE 5
Chief benefits
of Cloud computing for SMBs
surveyed by Microsoft5:
> Save money 54%
> Be more productive 47%
> Be more flexible ..... 40%
> Be more innovative 33%
> Be more responsive 27%
32% worry competitors may be making better use of technology than they are
60% dont have sufficient resources to implement new technologies and apps5
Quest CEO Blog
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So the rush to
the Cloud is on.
In just a few years,
most small and
midsize businesses
will have begun
their commitment to
Cloud computing.
And yet
Cloud computing represents a big
change in how IT does things
and by definition, change carries
a friction quotient. Whats the
friction quotient when it comes
to Cloud computing? Here are
a couple of takes, where youll
notice a few common themes:
This one, from IBMs 2011
Tech Trends study3, shows that
concerns about security are
top-of-mind for those moving to
Cloud computing
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For more information about how customized, shape-yourown Clouds offer more than other approaches, see Quests
Executive Brief, The Value of Shaping Your Own Cloud, the second
in Quests three-part Executive Brief series on Getting the
Most from Cloud Computing.
And to learn about how to figure out the best ways to
approach implementing Cloud computing in your organization,
see Quests Executive Brief, 5 Cloud Computing Best Practices,
the third in Quests three-part Executive Brief series on Getting
the Most from Cloud Computing.
The compleat
Cloud services provider
Consulting
Assesses current customer Cloud-readiness, then reliably recommends
a cost-effective Cloud services plan, including migration, training, and deployment
Engineering
Defines/designs requirements for performance, security, scalability, SLAs, etc.
Aggregation/integration
Makes disparate Cloud services work together and/or with legacy solutions
Implementation
Deploys Cloud services and migrates customer data and applications via state-of-the-art
unified virtual data center networks designed for Cloud services
Customization
Adds functionality to aggregated/integrated Cloud services
Support
Provides a single throat to choke
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References:
1 Cisco Global Cloud Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2010-2015, Cisco, 2011, http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/
ns341/ns525/ns537/ns705/ns1175/Cloud_Index_White_Paper.pdf
2 Federal Cloud Computing Strategy, February 8, 2011, http://www.cio.gov/documents/federal-cloud-computing-strategy.pdf
3 2011 IBM Tech Trends Report Deep Dive, IBM, November 2011, https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/
groups/service/html/communityview?communityUuid=ff67b471-79df-4bef-9593-4802def4013d#fullpageWidgetId=W90e0c883
70ed_487f_9118_c24512493b8f&file=a91dcf57-15c0-48c5-b0fa-21872b1365ff
4 Future of Cloud Computing Survey, North Bridge Venture Partners, June 2011, http://www.slideshare.net/martinwalsh/the-future-ofcloud-computing-2011
5 SMB Business in the Cloud 2012, Microsoft, 2012, http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/telecom/docs/SMBCloud.pdf
6 Planning Guide: Technology for Tomorrows Cloud, September 2011, Intel, http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/cloudcomputing/cloud-computing-technology-for-tomorrows-cloud-planning-guide.html
7 IDC press release, http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS23028711
8 http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120105005455/en/Mobile-Worker-Population-Reach-1.3-Billion-2015
9 Cloud Computing Forecasting Change, Alistair Banks, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, September 2011, http://conferenceit.com.au/
cacs2011/presentations/Alastair%20Banks_V1_15Sep11.pdf
10 Osterman Research Survey Report, January 2011, http://www.ostermanresearch.com/results/or_ec0111.pdf
11 Gartner press release, March 5, 2012, http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1940715
12 Cisco Global Cloud Networking Survey, Cisco, 2012, http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/ns1015/2012_Cisco_Global_Cloud_
Networking_Survey_Results.pdf
13 http://www.channelpartnersonline.com/articles/2012/02/carriers-data-centers-cloud-dream-team.aspx
ABOUT QUEST
A trusted technology management company delivering successful solutions for clients ranging from the Fortune 50 to Fortune 5000 small and
medium-sized businesses, Quest offers a portfolio of professional, cloud, and managed services either on-site or from its secure network of global
service delivery centers. Quest is ranked #9 on the Global Managed Services Cloud Providers Top 100 by MSPmentor, is ranked among the top
500 technology firms by VARBusiness, is among CRNs top 250 Tech Elite, and is included in CRNs designation of Cloud Elite.
Visit us at www.questsys.com.
All contents copyright 2012 by Quest Media & Supplies, Inc., unless otherwise noted.
Quest is a Registered Trademark of Quest Media & Supplies, Inc.
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