Cloud Security Seems to Be Bolt-Ons

There are two sides to cloud security: the tenant and the provider. At the moment, it appears from both perspectives that cloud computing is using bolt-ons to create a sense of security. This is more perception than reality. Perception is what is preventing cloud adoption. What does this perception mean? Are clouds really using bolt-on …

Bundling Up for the Cloud

I hear that vendors are bundling cloud services with their other software licensing deals, and I have some thoughts about why. Azure credits are being bundled into Microsoft software license deals. Oracle customers can buy cloud credits as a way of avoiding problems that stem from database software licensing true-ups. There are a couple of ways of …

In Cloud, Cost Is Everything

The use of the cloud is not governed by technology so much as it is governed by cost: the cost of on-premises management, support, expertise, and environment vs. the cost of cloud services and outsourced expertise, management, etc. The cost differential must be high enough in the short term to allow it to become valid …

Managing Your Cloud from the Cloud

Building a private cloud was a high priority for a number of organizations in 2014. This priority carried over into 2015 because it is hard to execute. For many organizations, it has carried over again into 2016. Of course, the definition of a private cloud has changed in that time, too. Some organizations are happy …