The solution harnesses the synergies of SaaS, SOA and virtualisation.
Cloud computing is enabling technologies such as SaaS, SOA and virtualisation, says Clifford Foster, IBM CTO for sub-Saharan Africa.
Cloud computing is a paradigm rather than a new technology; however, it is driving SaaS, SOA and virtualisation in new ways, says Clifford Foster, IBM's CTO for sub-Saharan Africa.
During the upcoming ITWeb Cloud Computing 2009 Conference, on 24 November at The Campus, Bryanston, Foster will provide an overview of the synergies between cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS), service-oriented architecture (SOA) and virtualisation.
“Cloud computing extends the SaaS model to deliver other services on multiple payment options from the more typical SaaS model to a pay-as-you-use payment model. SOA fits naturally within the cloud paradigm, although it should be noted that it isn't a prerequisite.”
He adds that through virtualisation, applications are separated from physical resources, which provides benefits such as improved resource utilisation and system stability.
Evolving the cloud
According to Foster, cloud computing is evolving from proprietary and monolithic clouds to open standards-based and large-scale clouds.
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“These open clouds will provide a range of standards-based services that will provide individuals and organisations with a range of options, offering differing service levels at respective price points. Cloud computing is evolving to include private clouds (within the organisation's firewall) and hybrid clouds (combination of private and public).”
Foster points out that some of the benefits of cloud computing is improved resource utilisation, reduced costs, ease-of-use and flexibility as users have access to the services they want without needing to own them or know where they are run.
In addition, complexity is reduced as the applications are bundled with the other software components required to execute them.
Foster adds: “However, it must be noted that cloud computing must be carefully considered based on an organisation's specific requirements, as not all services are suitable for delivering in the cloud.”
Original article here
