Cloud computing: from hype to reality

Abstract

Cloud computing is one of the most talked about and to an extent hyped technologies in the recent years. As per Gartner, cloud computing is one of the top 10 technology initiatives for this year. Cloud computing is at the peak of inflated expectations as per Gartner's recent cloud computing hype cycle. Cloud Computing Technology has a definitive potential. However as with any new technology, substantial amount of hype surrounds this technology. This paper starts with analyses on the background of cloud computing (including both private and public clouds) technology and arrives at a realistic prediction ('our view') on how cloud computing technology is most likely to evolve over next few years before it reaches mainstream adoption. The paper applies the theoretical frameworks like Geoffrey Moore's technology adoption life cycle and Innovation Decision Process theory & Perceived Attributes Theory Frameworks to dissect issues and provide recommendations for adopting this technology.The technology adoption life cycle theory deals with the nature of adopters of a particular innovation and their characterization (innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority and laggards). This paper analyses how cloud computing adoption could probably evolve over the years and arrive at a prediction of cloud computing adoption. We will arrive at the key chasm areas (like security, standardization of cloud APIs, reduction in overall migration cost etc) the cloud computing technology need to cross before getting into mainstream adoption. The innovation Decision Process theory (Rogers') deals with five specific stages an innovation adopter will go through. The five stages are: acquiring knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation. We will describe the ways a cloud vendor or system integrators can influence each of these five stages. Perceived Attributes Theory Framework deals with five key attributes on which any particular innovation will be judged upon. They are trial ability, observability, relative advantage, complexity and compatibility. This paper analyses cloud computing technology from the above aspects. Finally we will come up with key recommendations that the cloud vendors, system integrators, standard bodies and enterprises need to look at in order to leverage the applicable benefits of cloud computing technology and fast track adoption of this technology in enterprises.