"All In" on Cloud Computing? Follow Rule #1...

In 2011 we will see more cloud mergers and partnerships that will further cloud the waters and make it more difficult for customers to decipher who is providing what.

The real challenge for IT leaders will not come from what to do, it will be more about who do I have to do it!

As business goals continue to push IT management to think more strategically about the business and less about technological capabilities, I need to define what skill sets I have at my disposal.   Who can I use, and how can I use them to deliver solutions to achieve the business outcomes my CEO desires.

Rule #1 - Set my people strategy first!

Take SaaS for example, if I have a staff that is very proficient at network infrastructure, perhaps outsourcing major applications that offer pay as you go software makes sense.  Removes the burden of support from my staff and my internal customers get better support.  Putting Email and/or CRM in the "cloud" is always a good litmus test.

I can use the same example if I my IT staff is primarily developers.  PaaS would make a great deal of sense, outsource the server management and get a completely customizable platform for my developers.  Removes the burden of my developers multi-tasking, attempting to service internal clients and patch servers.  Again, the winner is my internal customer!

IaaS provides the ultimate in control.  If my IT Staff is rock solid on server management, networking and application support, IaaS will be the solution.  IaaS gives me the flexibility to build, scale and manage servers without heavily investing in hardware.  The burden of sizing, buying, building, installing, testing, and loading is shifted to my provider.  Gives your staff more time to focus on specific projects and develop more skill sets that will ultimately help me reach my business objectives.

When I evaluate my IT personnel, I have to look at the overall strengths of my department.  When considering moving to a cloud provider of any type, I will almost always win on up time.  All cloud providers have a more robust SLA on providing service uptime than I can build and manage internally.

Follow rule #1 - identify skill, maximize resources and align people with the business goals first, and making the decision on a cloud provider will fall into place.