2a: Levels of Cloud Adoption by Model
100 150 200 250 300
50 0
0% of infrastructure
1-25% of infrastructure
25-50% of infrastructure
51-75% of infrastructure
76-100% of infrastructure
Enterprises currently deploy some mix of public, private and hybrid cloud models
and procedures make it difficult to justify the technical modifications and financial demands of a move to cloud. Cloud computing can be divided
into three general models: public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud. Public cloud consists of independent, third party service providers that rent or lease cloud computing resources to external clients, such as businesses or government agencies. A private cloud represents the deployment of on-premises cloud services, generally building upon an existing virtual data center infrastructure with self-service portals, chargeback or showback models and additional services, such as automated provisioning or resource scalability. A hybrid cloud connects both public and private cloud services, allowing a business to use both environments simultaneously while shifting workloads between private and public cloud facilities on demand. The use of each cloud model
among respondents is fairly evenly split, with 40% using public cloud, 30% using private cloud, and another 30% of respondents reporting the use of hybrid cloud services. And all three cloud models will see increased use over the next six months, as survey results show in Figures 2a and 2b. In Figure 2a, for example, 90 respondents using public cloud currently have 25% to 50% of their data center infrastructure in the cloud.
Take It Public or Stay Private? Both? Of survey respondents using
public cloud, 73% point to cost savings as the primary motivating factor. Approximately 65% note public cloud computing fits their businesses’ computing needs. While there are numerous benefits
to public cloud, 60% of respondents using this cloud model cite improved
585 Current Hybrid Cloud Users 605 Current Private Cloud Users 610 Current Public Cloud Users
100 150 200 250 300
50 0
0% of infrastructure
1-25% of infrastructure
25-50% of infrastructure
51-75% of infrastructure
76-100% of infrastructure
But all three cloud models are expected to expand their role in the enterprise over the next six months
availability for computing workloads as the biggest benefit. About 57% list workload scalability, which allows users to adjust IT resources to accommodate changes in computing demands, as the main perk for public cloud. But public cloud isn’t always
the answer. In addition to real and perceived benefits, public cloud also presents challenges. Fifty-five percent of respondents say application suitability can be a problem, forcing administrators to rewrite or convert a workload codebase for the specific cloud provider to which the enterprise subscribes. In addition, 29% note that a lack of interoperability or integration between cloud-based and local workloads can present problems. Public cloud provider support also ranks as a concern for 35% of respondents. Money is the root of all decisions.
So it may not be surprising that the principal driver for moving to private cloud was identical to that listed for moving to public cloud—cost savings. Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents using private cloud do so to save money. Approximately 57% choose private cloud because it automates IT tasks, and 53% say a private cloud model meets their businesses’ computing needs. Of respondents that implemented a
private cloud, 59% note a more efficient use of IT resources, while 53% benefit from workload scalability. However, 62% of respondents using private cloud note that some applications can be problematic when they're run in the cloud. Forty percent of respondents also note support is a challenge. Of respondents using hybrid cloud,
63% expect cost savings to be the biggest advantage; 56% expect the hybrid cloud model will best fit their businesses' computing needs.
CONNECTION/BUSINESS IT 2013.Q4 13 With a hybrid cloud in place, 59%
of users report more efficient use of IT resources, while 58% cite the benefit of workload scalability. As with private cloud computing, the emphasis is on maximizing business agility and ensuring that computing resources are efficiently allocated and optimized. Hybrid cloud users also echo
the concerns of private cloud users, with 61% of respondents suggesting problems with application suitability and 39% noting a lack of interoperability or integration between private and public clouds. These concerns may pose serious issues when moving workloads among cloud providers or using local applications and data with cloud-based workloads. As cloud services infiltrate the
modern enterprise, it’s important to keep all three principal cloud models in the proper perspective. Public, private, and hybrid cloud computing all have a unique role in enterprise IT. However, they aren't mutually exclusive, allowing IT planners and administrators to realize the benefits of each model to fit the overall needs of the business. And certain functions such as storage, collaboration tools, and application development are taking the lead as primary benefactors of cloud computing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephen J. Bigelow, senior technology editor in the Data Center and Virtualization Media Group at TechTarget Inc., has more than 20 years of technical writing experience in the PC/ technology industry. He holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, along with CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and Server+ certifications and has written hundreds of articles and more than 15 feature books on computer troubleshooting.
2b: Levels of Cloud Adoption by Model
584 Future Hybrid Cloud Users 604 Future Private Cloud Users 610 Future Public Cloud Users
Respondents
Respondents
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36