Even in a difficult economy, cloud computing has emerged as a leading solution for IT managers who need to maximize their computing resources and budgets. But while most people understand the basic concept of cloud computing, many business owners and executives are left scratching their heads about how to best leverage this exciting computing model to drive their business and reduce their ongoing IT costs. Arraya Solutions can help clear the fog around cloud computing. Arraya has vast experience optimizing IT infrastructures to maximize the opportunity around cloud computing. In addition, our deep relationships with leading cloud computing technology vendors can help ensure you gain all the benefits from your first move into cloud computing.
Cloud Computing at a High Level
Cloud computing simplifies IT service delivery to meet service needs. According to Wikipedia, “Cloud Computing... is a style of computing where IT-related capabilities are provided 'as a service,’ allowing users to access technology-enabled services 'in the cloud’ without knowledge of, expertise with or control
over the technology infrastructure that supports them.” Cloud computing strategies offer lower costs by taking advantage of economies of scale and automated IT operations while optimizing investment in existing infrastructure. The resulting solution rapidly adjusts the volume of users as workload increases or decreases. Payment or internal chargeback for the services is more flexible and typically occurs on a usage basis. The bottom line for most business is that cloud computing provides fast, inexpensive access to powerful IT resources at a much lower price. Cloud computing can save customers up to 80 percent on floor space and 60 percent on power and cooling costs, and deliver triple asset utilization. In addition, security, reliability and flexibility are built into the cloud model.
Arraya Solutions Cloud Computing and Implementation Services
Through our history and experience, Arraya Solutions can help determine the best course of action to maximize the potential benefits of cloud computing. Our background with automation, virtualization and provisioning forms the foundation for our cloud computing offerings. In addition, our strong technical and
project management experience ensures your cloud computing project will provide the fastest possible return on your investment. Arraya Solutions provides two primary services around cloud computing:
• Cloud Readiness Assessments: Arraya Solutions will determine how your organization could best benefit from a cloud computing strategy. We’ll help determine your requirements around security and connectivity, and make recommendations for the best configuration and cloud model.
• Cloud Computing Design and Implementation Services: Arraya Solutions will develop a complete cloud computing model unique for your organization, and help plan, configure and test the new strategy inside and outside your data center walls.
Cloud Computing Models
Many of the press and industry headlines are about the overall cloud computing model and strategy around dynamically allocating resources to meet shifting demands. However, there are actually two primary cloud computing strategies. The best strategy depends on your organization’s size, business and IT direction.
• Public clouds: Public cloud computing is typically the model most described in industry headlines. Public clouds are characterized as being available to clients from a third party service provider, via the Internet. Small to medium sized businesses often use public clouds for specific applications or business functions. The traditional application service provider (ASP) or software as a service (SaaS) models are analogous to a public cloud.
• Private clouds: Private clouds work very much the same way as public clouds, but they are internally developed and hosted. While companies still need to buy, build, and manage a private cloud, they sometimes offer greater security and flexibility. Arraya Solutions has experience with both public and private cloud computing. We also offer a hybrid cloud model by developing a private cloud with dedicated connectivity and hardened security, but externally hosted by Arraya Solutions.
Cloud Computing Benefits
• Significantly reduced time to introduce technologies and innovations
• Cost savings in labor for designing, procuring and building hardware and software platforms
• Cost savings by avoiding human error in the configuration of security, networks and the software provisioning process
• Cost elimination through greater use and reuse of existing resources, resulting in better efficiency.