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roundtable: cloud computing
The Business Magazine and Pulsant invited sector experts to the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre in Reading to discuss how cloud computing has evolved in our region and asked whether it is helping Thames Valley business to get …
Ahead in the cloud Participants
Darren Atkinson: Operations director, Prisym ID
Ron Brown: Chief technologist UK & Ireland, HP
Tim Clark: Partner specialising in IT, Pitmans
Bree Freeman: Editorial & production director, Cloud Computing Intelligence magazine
Lined up to debate: our Roundtable team John Burbedge reports the roundtable highlights
Is the current industry message clouding customer judgement?
David Murray asked if the ‘cloud’ business proposition is clear, or are there misconceptions about what benefits cloud can offer.
Pulsant’s chief technical officer Matt Lovell explained that there were different levels of understanding within the customer base. “We are starting to see second and third generation usage of cloud, but there is an even bigger market that is yet to make that first step, still needing advice on making the best journey for their business.”
But, he agreed there was a need to provide a consistent industry message and greater clarity – what ‘cloud’ is, how it works, and how it can help businesses to improve performance. The beneficial message needed to be explained better to:
• Early and not so early adopters, who may be using cloud with varying success.
• Those who are considering their use of cloud in some form in the future.
• Those who haven’t or won’t consider it at the moment.
“It is up to us to elicit customer feedback and evolve cloud usage with our customers. It is not a one-stop product, it is a journey into the future.”
Most of the customer base is making good initial use of ‘public cloud’ facilities said Lovell. He exampled organisations using cloud for a cost-effective approach to customer development and product trialling, or as a strategic tool to extend partner collaboration, or to pilot a new tactical venture.
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Some customers are looking for cloud services protected from the wider community. “Those with a typically IT-centric internal perspective, are recognising the cash benefits to their business of unlocking their IT assets and moving them out into a ‘private cloud’ of some description.”
Deloitte’s Eric Healing, who advises businesses about ‘cloud’ opportunities and risks, agreed there was variable customer knowledge of cloud. “It depends on where the business is in its cloud journey. For many startups, cloud is the obvious way to get into the market quickly and make an impact. Do they want to spend six months setting up an IT infrastructure or do they go to a cloud provider?”
Where infrastructure is showing its age, or a big capital investment is needed, organisations are also now viewing cloud very carefully as a viable option.
Matt Lovell
cloud, such as Microsoft Exchange. From there, we can take them on the full cloud journey.”
Westcoast’s Phil Leblond agreed there were misconceptions about cloud. “We have 4,000 customers that range from huge multi-million pound resellers to lifestyle businessmen and they are all trying to sell cloud. For us, it is about how we help customers on the selling journey, help them consume cloud as they want.
“Through partnerships with the likes of HP and Microsoft, we are trying to make things simple for resellers and their end-users. We are starting with the basics, things that people will feel comfortable to put into the
Is cost-saving the key cloud driver?
“Actually it’s not,” said Ron Brown, who in his role with HP often advises Government departments. “We now regard cloud as just another IT services sourcing option.”
When cloud first sprang into the business world its proposition was largely:
• Pricing transparency – enabling the move from CapEx to OpEx, with the benefit of
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – NOVEMBER 2012
Eric Healing: Senior manager, information & technology risk, Deloitte
Paul Hughes: Cloud product manager, Pulsant
Phil Leblond: Solutions manager, Westcoast
Matt Lovell: CTO, Pulsant
Martin Taylor: Director, Content Guru
David Murray: Managing editor and publisher of The Business Magazine, chaired the discussion
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