Using cloud brokerage to provision and manage services from multiple cloud service providers.
Here’s a snapshot of a typical conversation I’ve had with large enterprise CIOs.
I’ve had a number of free lunches this way, but my colleagues at Gravitant have built this technology and have already proven it with a successful implementation in the State of Texas!
The technology is known as cloudMatrix. It is a culmination of online marketplaces driven by SOA and powered by advanced analytics. Under the hood is an electronic services catalog that contains a list of providers and their offerings as well as API connectivity for auto provisioning. The exterior is also pretty slick with a single pane of glass for drag and drop cloud architecture design. Advanced analytics then kicks in to show the best fit provider, followed by continuous recalibration for optimal performance. I know that sounds more like an automobile ad, but cloudMatrix technology is in fact a layer of abstraction even above the cloud.
Archivo mensual: marzo 2013
Guest Post: Typical CIO Conversation
Using cloud brokerage to provision and manage services from multiple cloud service providers.
Here’s a snapshot of a typical conversation I’ve had with large enterprise CIOs.
I’ve had a number of free lunches this way, but my colleagues at Gravitant have built this technology and have already proven it with a successful implementation in the State of Texas!
The technology is known as cloudMatrix. It is a culmination of online marketplaces driven by SOA and powered by advanced analytics. Under the hood is an electronic services catalog that contains a list of providers and their offerings as well as API connectivity for auto provisioning. The exterior is also pretty slick with a single pane of glass for drag and drop cloud architecture design. Advanced analytics then kicks in to show the best fit provider, followed by continuous recalibration for optimal performance. I know that sounds more like an automobile ad, but cloudMatrix technology is in fact a layer of abstraction even above the cloud.
The Future of Hybrid Cloud
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means…
An interesting and almost ancillary point was made during a recent #cloudtalk hosted by VMware vCloud with respect to the definition of «hybrid» cloud.
Sure, it implies some level of integration, but how much integration is required to be considered a hybrid cloud?
The way I see it, there has to be some level of integration that supports the ability to automate something – either resources or a process – in order for an architecture to be considered a hybrid cloud.
Selling Solutions to Future Generations of Enterprise IT
Younger enterprise IT employees understand how easy it is to consume services from the cloud. They are becoming instrumental in helping corporations find better solution alternatives than currently available.
Enterprise IT‘s focus is moving from software development to data analytics, so it is not surprising that attention is also being paid to help them address these needs. The exhibit hall at the recent Strata conference (run by O‘Reilly Media) was packed with start-up companies demonstrating innovative data analytics solutions. One of the challenges in implementing analytics is customers‘ lack of skills. A common theme among start-up solutions was overcoming that skills barrier. Some of these solutions were designed to help users get started with simple BigData initiatives and then progress to solving more complicated problems.
Krish Krishnan from Sixth Sense presented on the first day of Strata and made an interesting comment on one of his slides: «The Gen Z and Millennial Generation of buyers will not be swayed by traditional engagement models of selling products and services.» Having worked with large enterprise vendors, I have seen many sales deals closed based on relationships between vendor account teams and enterprise IT buyers that often take years to cultivate. Customers take a long time to develop solution requirements in the form of Requests for Proposal (RFP) and then mandate proofs of concepts from vendors before they make a buying decision. While Krish identified these buyers as just Gen Z and the future, I think anyone past generation Y are ready for a new model.
The Future of Hybrid Cloud
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means…
An interesting and almost ancillary point was made during a recent #cloudtalk hosted by VMware vCloud with respect to the definition of «hybrid» cloud.
Sure, it implies some level of integration, but how much integration is required to be considered a hybrid cloud?
The way I see it, there has to be some level of integration that supports the ability to automate something – either resources or a process – in order for an architecture to be considered a hybrid cloud.
Big Data Analytics for E-Health, via Google PaaS
Recently I’ve been lucky to meet with the CTO’s of two important Canadian public sector organizations, Canada Health Infoway and the Province of Ontario. Indeed Dennis Giokas kindly presented on Cloud Computing in Healthcare at our recent seminar in Toronto. This presentation was about the recent CHI Cloud white paper, which is quite visionary in its […]
Big Data Analytics for E-Health, via Google PaaS
Recently I’ve been lucky to meet with the CTO’s of two important Canadian public sector organizations, Canada Health Infoway and the Province of Ontario. Indeed Dennis Giokas kindly presented on Cloud Computing in Healthcare at our recent seminar in Toronto. This presentation was about the recent CHI Cloud white paper, which is quite visionary in its […]
Pertino Raises $20 Million
Pertino, the start-up that figures its software-defined WANs can reinvent cloud-era networking for the masses, has raised $20 million in B series funding led by new investor Jafco Ventures with existing investors Norwest Venture Partners and Lightspeed Venture Partners kicking in.
The new round brings Pertino’s total VC take to $28.85 million and may take it through to break-even.
The company means to use the new money to execute against its SDN cloud platform vision and build out its go-to-market strategy.
Pertino’s widgetry has been in limited availability since its launch last month. Jafco thinks Pertino, which is focused on SMBs, is delivering a disruptive technology in a practical and consumable way to an underserved global market.
Pertino Raises $20 Million
Pertino, the start-up that figures its software-defined WANs can reinvent cloud-era networking for the masses, has raised $20 million in B series funding led by new investor Jafco Ventures with existing investors Norwest Venture Partners and Lightspeed Venture Partners kicking in.
The new round brings Pertino’s total VC take to $28.85 million and may take it through to break-even.
The company means to use the new money to execute against its SDN cloud platform vision and build out its go-to-market strategy.
Pertino’s widgetry has been in limited availability since its launch last month. Jafco thinks Pertino, which is focused on SMBs, is delivering a disruptive technology in a practical and consumable way to an underserved global market.
Colocation: 55+ living for your IT equipment
I recently sat on a planning call with an extremely smart and agreeable client. We had discussed a modest “data center” worth of equipment to host the environment he’s considering putting into production. I asked the simple enough question of “where are you going to deploy this gear?” I have to admit not being very surprised when he responded: “Well, I’ve cleaned out a corner of my office.” Having spent some early days of my IT career working in a server closet, I knew that if the hum of the equipment fans didn’t get to him quickly, the heat output would for sure. This is not an uncommon conversation. Clearly the capital expense of building out a “data center” onsite was not an appealing topic. So, if building isn’t an option, why not rent?
In a similar vein, not too far back I watched several “senior” members of my family move into 55+ communities after years of resisting. Basically, they did a “capacity planner” and realized the big house was no longer needed. They figured somebody else could worry about the landscaping, snow plowing and leaky roofs. The same driving forces should have many IT pros considering a move into a colocation facility.
The opportunities to move into a hosted data center (colo facility) are plentiful today. You simply don’t have as much gear any longer (assuming you’re mostly virtualized). Your desire to “do it all” yourself has waned (let someone else worry about keeping the lights on and network connected). The added bonus of providing redundant network paths, onsite security and almost infinite expansion are driving many “rental” conversations today. Colos are purpose-built facilities which are ideal for core data center gear such as servers, storage (SANs), routers and core switches, to name a few. Almost all of them have dual power feeds, backup battery systems and generators. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) units keep appropriate environmental conditions for the operation of this critical equipment.
Many businesses don’t fully realize just how much power consumption is required to operate a data center. The energy bills achieved for just the cooling component alone can leave many IT managers, well, frosted. Even still, the need to see the healthy status green blinking lights is like a digital comfort blanket. Speaking with many IT execs, we hear over and over “This was the best move we could have made.” From our own experience, we’ve seen our internal IT team shift focus to strategic initiatives and end user support.
While it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, there is something for most organizations when it comes to colo. Smaller organizations with one rack of equipment have seen tremendous advantages as have clients approaching the “enterprise” size with dozens of cabinets of gear. Redundancy, security, cost control, predictable budgets and 7x24x365 support are all equally attractive reasons to move into a “colo.” Call it a “colominium” if you will. Colo could be the right step toward a more efficient and effective IT existence.