Navigating the Cloud

This week I'll continue with the theme of cloudy thinking, which some say I excel at. In previous posts I observed, from a stratospheric level (sic), that many applications of cloud technology can provide distinct, if not unique, advantages to some processes that are simply impossible with more traditional methods. Given this distimction, certain challenges compel us to look to the clouds for solutions. A seasoned pilot will tell you that flying in cloudy skies is a dangerous, risky business. To do so safely and successfully requires knowledge, skill, proper tools and a good bit of common sense. The same can be said when considering launching any cloud-based technology. In my world that technology centers primarily on cloud communications - that is using cloud-level technology to solve earth-bound problems.

This picture very simply illustrates how a business is able to link multiple sites together using a cloud-based service provider as their enterprise communication system. The provider "hosts" the services - the required communications equipment is housed at their site - and the business pays to connect to, and use the service. Each location is physically connected to the cloud using some form of high-speed IP connection such broadband cable, dedicated T1's, fiber-based Ethernet, or even wireless links. These connections are often refered to as "pipes". The more bandwidth available on the pipe translates into faster data transfer speeds and is typically called a "fat pipe". Just like having a larger garden hose will help you water your lawn in shorter time.

The unique position of the "Cloud" service provider gives businesses an easy way to move voice, data and video communication between sites, no matter where they are. Another advantage is the ease with which a business can expand, or contract, its footprint by simply connecting sites to the cloud. As a result, a customer's phone call to site A - which might be in New York - can be transferred to a destination at site C in California with the same ease as if the call stayed in New York. Or a mobile employee can travel from sight to sight while his calls will find hime regardles of where he might be on a particlua day. Cloud communication services are especially useful for multi-site retail chains, restaurants, medical and financial institutions - essentially any organization with a broad footprint and the need to move communication from site to site simply and affordably.

Of course this is a very simplistic illustration and there are as many solutions as there are technology professionals. The take away from this is the idea that cloud-technology might be a good tool to help your organization communicate better. Then again, it may not be the right tool for your particular enterprise. So how do you decide?

That's a whole other blog....