Cloud Computing And SaaS
Adoption of cloud computing and its first cousin, software as a service (SaaS), has been gathering steam for some time. With the fat trimmed from 2009 budgets, the coming year is likely to see cloud and SaaS move from burgeoning trend to mainstream acceptance. The power of the subscription service model is obvious at this point -- the recession only makes it more appealing for applications and infrastructure -- and shifts the question for IT decision makers from if to when.
There are, however, factors that could limit the rush. Integration between cloud services, SaaS applications, and on-premises systems remains elusive. A host of integrators has stepped into the breach to fill this need, but don't expect seamless turnkey options yet.
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The economy may actually help spur integration, by driving cloud and SaaS providers into partnerships and eliminating some providers. Consolidation will help, but the silver bullet is universal interoperability standards, but that's a nonstarter without participation from Amazon.com, IBM, Microsoft, and Google. As more businesses move to cloud and SaaS, the demand for integration will only grow, making the likelihood of industry consensus a sooner, rather than later, reality.
Green IT
With cost cutting top of mind, green IT, and specifically reducing power consumption, is a natural match. 2009 looks to be a mixed bag for green IT. In a time of fiscal austerity, the cost-benefit equation is stricter than ever, setting the ROI bar higher -- or at least quicker, the 10- to 15-year return on investment is a tough sell right now. Expect business owners to embrace cost-conscious green initiatives with a quick return.
During the Green Infrastructure session at last week's bMighty bOptimized virtual event, response to audience polling questions underscored the emphasis on cost cutting. When asked how the economic conditions were affecting green initiatives at their business, 56.5% responded that green IT efforts were more important than ever before because of the potential to cut costs. That motivation likely will translate to more focus on reducing IT energy consumption, particularly on the low-cost methods for cutting power costs.
In addition to long-term capital investments, the recycling and disposal side of green IT will languish in 2009. As analyst Rob Enderle points out, government incentives prop up the economic equation for both power efficiency and disposal programs -- and the budget ax is going to chop one or the other. With the bottom dropping out of the recycling market, disposal programs are more vulnerable.
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