Two cloud streams—flexible infrastructure and service—offer real innovation opportunities. The service-based, infrastructural flexibility of cloud promotes the possibility of “seed and grow” type activities, where the capabilities of the cloud are demonstrated through the rapid development of prototype systems.
The flexibility of cloud services changes the risk profile associated with innovation. Projects that would have been deemed too risky to try if they required a capital investment are now worth attempting using a cloud model because of the ease with which they can be decommissioned.
As is the case with IT outsourcing, the in-house IT function, existing systems integrators and outsourcing partners will all require distinctive skills to make the best use of cloud computing. Managing cloud services will also demand new skills of cloud providers. These skills include orchestration, monitoring, performance monitoring, capacity management monitoring, capacity management modeling and capacity management planning.
It is interesting to note that both IT and business executives are enthusiastic about the potential of cloud’s business impact. However, cloud computing will not attain the plug-and-play simplicity of electricity, at least until the flood of innovation—both within cloud computing itself and in the myriad applications and business models it enables—ceases.
Accenture is a leader in the use of technology innovation to drive business benefit, as well as in the commercialization of cloud computing. Contact us to find out how we can help your company ride the cloud wave to high performance.