To the Cloud: Cloud Powering an Enterprise

The authors of this text rightly explain in their introduction that the path to cloud adoption is bound to be different for every firm. Because much of what is provided here is based on Microsoft IT's own experience with cloud adoption, and most of the software that Microsoft IT consumes is built in-house, the authors point out that they recognize their enterprise is unique, so they chose to focus on concepts rather than specific technologies when guiding the reader through the cloud adoption learning process. While the reader should readily recognize that this is a Microsoft text because the foreward was written by Microsoft CIO Tony Scott, what the authors present here is for the most part product agnostic. And since they share as case studies what they have accomplished as Microsoft IT, it should be no surprise to readers that Microsoft Hyper-V and Windows Azure are periodically mentioned.The material presented here is broken down into four parts: (1) Explore, (2) Envision, (3) Enable, and (4) Execute. After first discussing the cloud computing paradigm, and the value proposition that it offers, the authors provide practical advice for developing a business case and building consensus with key stakeholders once there is momentum in making a move toward the cloud. The following focus then shifts to various adoption approaches, and a number of topics surrounding cloud execution. Having also just recently completed a reading of "The Cloud at Your Service: The When, How, and Why of Enterprise Cloud Computing" by Jothy Rosenberg and Arthur Mateos (see my review), another high-level introduction to cloud computing that follows a similar line of presentation, as a consultant who works with technical and non-technical stakeholders I see the need for these two texts to share the same shelf space, with this other work catering to a technical audience.In my opinion, what Arora, Biyani, and Dave provide here is akin to an expanded white paper, due to its format and sub-100 page length, perfect for mid-air reading. One aspect of this text that I especially appreciate is the well executed style of diagrams reminiscent of Harvard Business School Press offerings, which always provide ideas as to how the material might best be presented visually to a non-technical audience. Judging from the frequency and location of dog ears that I left behind after my reading of this book, I found the first half of what the authors present to be material to which I will return, with the parts on Explore and Envision especially well done. The section on "demand patterns", for example, in which the authors describe application usage patterns used to determine best fit based on analyzing user demand and usage patterns, as well as workload characteristics, although brief, was surprisingly not covered as a topic in the earlier work. Well executed. Recommended especially for non-technical management.

Working in IT, I don't go a day without hearing something about "The Cloud". Either people want you to move to it, stay away from it, or don't have a clue as to what it actually means. Couple that with all the vendor hype and jargon, and I quickly find that most discussions end up with both parties using the same words while meaning completely different things. To the Cloud: Cloud Powering an Enterprise by Pankaj Arora, Raj Biyani, and Salil Dave was recently sent to me for review, and I think I've found a good option for clearing up much of the confusion when the cloud discussion heats up. This book is short, concise, readable, and is well positioned as an introductory exposure to what "moving to the cloud" actually means.Content:Explore: Understand the Cloud; Understand the Value Proposition; Chart the Cloud Landscape; SummaryEnvision: Recognize the Case for Change; Drive a Shared Vision; Analyze Cloud Opportunities; Build the Business Case; SummaryEnable: Define Adoption Approach; Select Cloud Providers; Upgrade the Organization; Revamp Tools and Processes; SummaryExecute: Rethink Enterprise Architecture; Design Solutions for the Cloud; Implement and Integrate Solutions; Operate in the Cloud; SummaryEpilogue - Emerging Markets and the Cloud: Explosive Economic Growth; The Opportunity - Leapfrogging Legacy Technology; Case Studies; Emerging Market Challenges; SummaryGlossaryIndexI wasn't kidding when I said short and concise, as the book is only 119 pages. Even so, it packs more information in those pages than some books twice the size (or more!) The authors all work for Microsoft, but I was pleasantly surprised that the book does not read as an advertisement for all things branded with the MS logo. The information is largely vendor-agnostic, and only occasionally mentions specific solutions when appropriate (and even then covers both MS and non-MS options). As such, I would feel comfortable recommending this without fear of looking like a marketing shill for any one vendor.The Explore chapter does an excellent job in breaking down what is meant by "the cloud", as well as what it might mean in particular cases. A vendor might offer to move you to the cloud, but all they are doing is providing a hardware infrastructure for you. You still have to manage the operating system, upgrades, and the applications that run on them. Others might offer you a full platform, which means they'll take care of the hardware and the operating system provisioning, but you still have to write and maintain the applications you run on their resources. The complete cloud solution is when you start using a software offering completely hosted and managed by the vendor. You simply use the software without regard to hardware, operating system, or application maintenance. Other than minor configuration choices, the vendor takes care of everything. Even knowing these basic classifications can cut down greatly on false expectations and wasted time and money.The remaining chapters guide you through the choices, decisions, and steps you need to consider if you want to successfully migrate some portion of your business to cloud-based computing. Seeing the process laid out in this clear and concise fashion is incredibly valuable, as it sets the correct expectations as to how much work is involved, as well as what you can expect to gain (or potentially lose) by such a migration. Granted, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of detailed questions, concerns, and issues that have to be dealt with along the way. But To The Cloud provides the solid framework to get from on-premises computing to a solution where you focus on the business instead of simply keeping the lights on.To The Cloud should be required reading for your team if you're starting to consider migrating some part of your IT operation "to the cloud". The two or three hours spent reading this book up-front may well save many months and considerable dollars that would otherwise be spent spinning your wheels trying to get started.Disclosure:Obtained From: PublicistPayment: Free

Livre très intéressant

Good book