Is the world going to the clouds?
May 15, 2009
The trade magazine Computerwoche held a symposium about the future of data centers in Offenbach at the end of April. T-Systems was there as well. A central topic of the event was cloud computing. We asked Olaf Heyden, member of the board of management and director of the T-Systems data centers, for his opinion of the clouds.
Mr. Heyden, how will cloud computing change the operation of data centers?
The data centers are currently experiencing a new evolutionary leap in the direction of IT resource industrialization. The reason for this is the large increase of standardized solutions. Customers benefit from significant cost savings. Individual cost savings can amount to up to 60% in connection with dynamic acquisition of services based on demand.
The data centers are currently experiencing a new evolutionary leap in the direction of IT resource industrialization. The reason for this is the large increase of standardized solutions. Customers benefit from significant cost savings. Individual cost savings can amount to up to 60% in connection with dynamic acquisition of services based on demand.
Will corporate IT switch fully to cloud computing?
No. There will always be a mix of demand-based acquisition of IT resources and non-dynamic applications. It also depends on the individual situation of the company. That is why it must be possible to integrate cloud applications into the existing, non-dynamic ICT landscape at the customer. This way, investment security remains guaranteed for customers. Only after all systems are functioning well together, will the customer incur no risk in day-to-day operations.
No. There will always be a mix of demand-based acquisition of IT resources and non-dynamic applications. It also depends on the individual situation of the company. That is why it must be possible to integrate cloud applications into the existing, non-dynamic ICT landscape at the customer. This way, investment security remains guaranteed for customers. Only after all systems are functioning well together, will the customer incur no risk in day-to-day operations.
Is there a recipe for success for cloud computing at big corporations?
Yes. In addition to integration capability and interoperability, end-to-end service level agreements and outsourcing experience are part of that recipe. The service provider must be partner to the customer. The newest technologies alone won’t do any good; they must be tried and tested and match practical requirements. Last but not least, data security and network stability also play a big role, of course.
Yes. In addition to integration capability and interoperability, end-to-end service level agreements and outsourcing experience are part of that recipe. The service provider must be partner to the customer. The newest technologies alone won’t do any good; they must be tried and tested and match practical requirements. Last but not least, data security and network stability also play a big role, of course.
Can T-Systems’ competence in cloud computing be proven for major customers?
Yes. We are currently working on an 18-month project converting 232 SAP systems to 80% dynamic operation at one of our data centers for an international corporation. We are about one year into the assignment and we are well on schedule. In addition, we have a number of other customers who use our Dynamic Services, and not only for SAP applications. Upon request, we will be happy to provide our full cloud computing ICT portfolio.
Yes. We are currently working on an 18-month project converting 232 SAP systems to 80% dynamic operation at one of our data centers for an international corporation. We are about one year into the assignment and we are well on schedule. In addition, we have a number of other customers who use our Dynamic Services, and not only for SAP applications. Upon request, we will be happy to provide our full cloud computing ICT portfolio.
