Cloud Computing A Myth?

Is all of the excitement about the advent of cloud computing all just hype? To an extent, yes. As ZDNet reporter Lori MacVittie points out, to an extent, organizations are already using the cloud in plenty of applications:

Google's Chrome OS is not the only operating system to which the cloud handle has been attached. It is merely the latest in a long line of attempts to capitalize on the growing interest and hype surrounding cloud computing.

Novell, Dell, Microsoft--in fact, anyone who is anyone with a stake in operating systems has been mentioned at least once in conjunction with a cloud operating system.

There is no such thing. It is a myth existing entirely in the minds of those who cannot seem to get enough cloud in their daily technology diets. And the problem in perpetuating that myth is that it continues to confuse an already confused market.

What MacVittie talks about is true enough, but not the whole story. As it is seen now, moving to the cloud can be evolutionary, not revolutionary. However, the potential of what the cloud could be certainly qualifies as revolutionary.

For enterprises to move their networks in whole or in large part to the cloud, we will need to see big changes in terms of how organizations can effectively protect their data online through a reliable system. As well, if we can really get to the type of utility computing businesses have been clamoring for, pretty much since the first computers, then operating systems may have to fundamentally change (as MacVittie acknowledges).

Of course, the benefits of cloud computing could also have a revolutionary impact on business itself. Entire IT departments may be broken down or even wiped out as many routine IT tasks are made redundant by the cloud and a small remainder are outsourced to network infrastructure consultants.