“Cloud computing” contains the seeds of IT’s next generation – YES. This is real, much like client server and Web computing… in fact probably has benefits of both – cost and revenue.

Cloud’s customers (slide #16) – great customer segmentation. would like to add that almost all enterprise customers are using cloud for revenue or customer service related projects and using time to market/costs as the major drivers.

The systems vendors will not dominate (slide #22). This one requires a double take. James makes the point that for a vendor to succeed, it requires operations excellence in Web scale data center operations and system companies have expertise in managing enterprise data centers – wrong skills. This may seem like Wow! comment for many have not been through this, but for anybody who has built, deployed and managed enterprise apps. vs. Web apps they know the difference. The mindset is very different. The smart vendors are aware of this and will either focus on their sweet spot or acquire/grow into this space.

Security is a problem for IT departments that we keep hearing about again and again – Ogren’s is an interesting and practical take on the issue. Forrester created a checklist of security requirements for any company hosting/opening APIs via the cloud. It’s crucial to execute “due diligence” and upkeep with cloud infrastructure in order to ensure security.

Another big benefit to enterprise cloud adoption will be a survival of the fittest among business – you really do need to start the move to the cloud to stay a viable business in today’s climate where the slightest edge means everything.

The operational and business consultant sides of the CIO won’t necessarily separate as Gray indicates. Yes, a lot of operational aspects are handled for you when you move to the cloud, but there is still very real work to be done in maintaining security and control in the cloud that is directly related to C-level business efforts. No doubt we’ll see the position of the CIO evolve, but the role is still vital to business & IT operations.

Yes, security is a concern when you move to the cloud, but not every API operation in the enterprise needs stringent regulations. There are many enterprise applications that require collaboration with the extended value chain – not every operation has sensitive data. Because of cost and time to market issues it may be easier to do these operations in the cloud.

- Enterprise customers will claim that they have been doing private cloud computing. Have noticed that in our discussion w/ customers also. Even though this does fit w/ the virtualization part of the definition of privates clouds, it is hard to argue w/ them.

- Private/public clouds – interoperability between private and public cloud implementations has to be seamless – security, privacy issues have to be worked out. We have seen an increasing need for ‘gateway’ type technology to solve this issue. We’re already offering a cloud gateway solution at Sonoa – stay tuned on plans for a bigger product line .

Vishal is a smart dude, he needs to get out there and talk about cloud
computing more often.

Larry Schwartz, president of a company called Newstex, approaches the cloud with what he calls a “try first, justify second” approach. This might make sense, but people need to be more cautious when entering the cloud. The urgency is understandable – enterprises are trying to move to the cloud because of its benefits. Be “cautious,” concerns of security, compliance etc. are real. So… make the jump, just use care