Comments on: The differences between IT outsourcing and Cloud Computing http://www.katescomment.com/difference-it-outsourcing-cloud-computing/ Thoughts on British ICT, energy & environment, "Cloud", and security from Memset's MD Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:09:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Kate Craig-Wood http://www.katescomment.com/difference-it-outsourcing-cloud-computing/comment-page-1/#comment-675 Kate Craig-Wood Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:50:00 +0000 http://www.katescomment.com/?p=192#comment-675 Yes, Cloud is actually very energy-efficient since it helps to even-out the peaks and troughs in load. In theory, one could event have applications roaming the globe (see <a href="http://www.katescomment.com/the-definition-of-cloud-computing/" rel="nofollow">"Follow the moon / globe trotting applications"</a> in my definition of cloud computing post. However, the big win in terms of load maximisation (which is the most efficient way to use computers since they use some power when doing no work, and only about 50% more when working flat out) is simply virtualisation. This is especially true because Moore's Law has made machines much more powerful than most application require, so the old tin-hugging school of "one app per physical server" crowd should be lined up and shot! ;) Yes, Cloud is actually very energy-efficient since it helps to even-out the peaks and troughs in load. In theory, one could event have applications roaming the globe (see “Follow the moon / globe trotting applications” in my definition of cloud computing post.

However, the big win in terms of load maximisation (which is the most efficient way to use computers since they use some power when doing no work, and only about 50% more when working flat out) is simply virtualisation. This is especially true because Moore’s Law has made machines much more powerful than most application require, so the old tin-hugging school of “one app per physical server” crowd should be lined up and shot! ;)

]]> By: James Whinfrey http://www.katescomment.com/difference-it-outsourcing-cloud-computing/comment-page-1/#comment-540 James Whinfrey Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:32:23 +0000 http://www.katescomment.com/?p=192#comment-540 I'm definitely a small scale user, but I've noticed a significantly reduction in computing costs over the last few years; using remote computing resources has never been so cost effective, and the internet connectivity enables people like me to exist at all. Personally, I've reached a point where the majority of my business costs are based on how I value my own time and the cost of maintaining my skills. Consequently, I can focus on applying those skills to solving the problems in which my clients are interested and hardly need to consider the cost of hardware in the contract. As you point out, the contract length has a big impact in terms of financial commitment. Shorter contracts make it easier to justify trying things out, and easier to find a optimal solution. I'd be interested to know whether the use of Cloud resourcing increase the amount of work being done by the average data centre server, are there fewer powerful dedicated servers on long term hire sitting around with virtually no load? If so, this alone is a significant cost and environmental benefit. Conversely, is the low cost availability of resources both freeing people to experiment and boosting the overall level of resource usage? Good for resource providers and users, like me, but environmentally speaking... I’m definitely a small scale user, but I’ve noticed a significantly reduction in computing costs over the last few years; using remote computing resources has never been so cost effective, and the internet connectivity enables people like me to exist at all.

Personally, I’ve reached a point where the majority of my business costs are based on how I value my own time and the cost of maintaining my skills. Consequently, I can focus on applying those skills to solving the problems in which my clients are interested and hardly need to consider the cost of hardware in the contract.

As you point out, the contract length has a big impact in terms of financial commitment. Shorter contracts make it easier to justify trying things out, and easier to find a optimal solution.

I’d be interested to know whether the use of Cloud resourcing increase the amount of work being done by the average data centre server, are there fewer powerful dedicated servers on long term hire sitting around with virtually no load? If so, this alone is a significant cost and environmental benefit.

Conversely, is the low cost availability of resources both freeing people to experiment and boosting the overall level of resource usage? Good for resource providers and users, like me, but environmentally speaking…

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