Attending last weeks launch of the Cloud Industry Forums new Code of Practice at Microsoft TVP offices was just one of a number of events last week in which Cloud Computing featured.
On Thursday I presented at the Cloud and Factory Automation event at the Waterton Centre and tomorrow the focus is on the housing sector; alongside IBM I am presenting ‘Saving your Business in the Cloud’.
The growth in Cloud Computing presents both an opportunity and a threat to Business Continuity planning.
The ability to replicate not just your applications and data but your server images to a virtual second site, at a fraction of the cost of traditional IT DR contracts, means no one needs to be without a credible IT DR plan.
However, the cloud has also enabled users to purchase their applications without the knowledge of their IT department. Applications and data are now sitting in the cloud somewhere, without anyone considering the implications of back-up or how this fits into an overall Business Continuity Plan.
Businesses need to understand the impact Cloud Computing will have; both in increasing their flexibility and speed to market as well as the increasing risk through reliance on a new and often little understood supply chain for the delivery of these new applications.
M7 will be supporting IBM on Stand 5 at the event tomorrow. Please visit the stand or join us for the Disaster Recovery presentation in the afternoon.
Along with an informed debate and a range of partner solutions such as Sprint and Glamex on show, we can also offer stand visitors freshly baked Welsh Cakes!
