CLOUD

Cloud is here and ready to be used. It is now one of the many concepts available to organize IT, and it is here to stay. The conversation about cloud computing has turned away from pure technology, and now it focuses on the business side, the economics and the governance aspects. There are still some challenging questions around cloud, but nothing that dismisses the concept as a whole. For example, the question is no longer 'Is cloud secure?' but more 'Can I use this specific cloud solution for my specific situation?' And as soon as we become specific, the mist of the cloud evaporates: it becomes very clear that good concepts, services and solutions are within arms' reach for everyone. Seize the Cloud will serve as your guide through the business and enterprise architecture aspects of cloud computing. In nine chapters, and in a down-to-earth way, cloud is woven into the reality of running an organization, managing IT and creating value with technology. Along the way, the concept of business technology is introduced as a new kind of interaction between business and IT. Also, a new look at the economics of IT is described. The book strikes a positive note without turning evangelical or overly optimistic: it does not shy away from the barriers that could stand in the way of adoption. To provide a firm dose of reality, the book explores eleven cases in which leading organizations share insights gained from their experiences with cloud.

Improving collaboration between people and between organizations is no longer optional if you want to survive in today’s hyper connected business world. Speed of change, unpredictability and the increasingly social nature of the marketplace make collaboration instrumental to your company’s ability to differentiate. New ways of collaboration are starting to take place within your company, across value chains and in the individual social domain of your employees. At the same time, new architecture and delivery models are bringing many new collaborative tools within reach of every person in your organization, with or without your knowledge or control. The use of personal email is one example we have learned to address, but how do you respond to personal workspaces, document sharing or instant messaging? Or even better: how does your business benefit from them? On the technology side, a volatile mix of acronyms like SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture), SaaS (Software as a Service) and Web 2.0 is brewing that is drastically changing our view on the role and value of information technology. If left to chance there is little hope for success: you need a strategy.

Cloud is here to stay. It has become part of everyday conversations and is changing the old habits of businesses, IT departments and users. In this short document we will discuss our take on Cloud, how to benefit and how to stay in control. Not a sales pitch for cloud, but a discussion of the drivers, the changes and implications of cloud. That said, Sogeti is uniquely positioned to help customers make cloud real for them.