Solution Provider Says Cloud Computing, Like
Virtualization, Is About Delivering IT as a Repeatable
Service
Farmington Hills, MI, February 22,
2011 – In the early days of virtualization, organizations
were really just looking to do more with less – to drive
efficiencies in the IT infrastructure and reduce capital
expenses. But as virtualization has matured, the quality of
services available through a virtualized environment has become
equally important. A variety of business applications and
capabilities are delivered through a virtualized environment
today. Defined service catalogs and service level agreements
(SLAs) ensure quick, automatic, and secure distribution of needed
IT services and allow CIOs and IT managers to track IT expenses to
specific departments within their organizations.
Virtualization isn’t just about cutting costs anymore. It’s
about providing a framework to make IT a repeatable service aligned
to meet one’s business objectives. And, according to
Logicalis, an international provider of integrated information and
communications technology (ICT) solutions and services (http://www.us.logicalis.com/ ),
that’s where cloud computing enters the picture.
“Cloud computing is about delivering
technology as a service and aligning your business’ requirements
with IT’s ability to quickly respond to and deliver on those
needs,” says Mike Martin, Logicalis’ director of cloud
computing. “That’s why private clouds are the next logical
step after virtualization. While CIOs are developing a
strategy to transform the way they deliver IT services to the
business, IT managers are working through the technical design to
drive the cloud transformation.”
To help IT professionals decide if a private
cloud is right for them, Logicalis has identified a six-point
checklist. Where does your business fall in the
virtualization lifecycle?
Are You Ready for a Private
Cloud?
You are ready for a private cloud IF...
(1) You’ve clearly
defined the services catalog you want to deliver to your users.
(2) You’re already
comfortably running business-critical applications in a virtual
environment.
(3) You’ve defined IT
within your organization as a service delivery value-added business
rather than a cost center.
(4) You have defined
your data security and compliance requirements.
(5) You have a system
in place for cost containment and a way to charge back (or “show
back”) usage and costs on a departmental basis.
(6) Your business is
requiring agility and speed to market in deploying new
solutions.
About Logicalis
Logicalis is an international provider of
integrated information and communications technology (ICT)
solutions and services founded on a superior breadth of knowledge
and expertise in communications & collaboration; data center;
and professional and managed services.
Logicalis Group employs over 1,900 people
worldwide, including highly trained service specialists who design,
specify, deploy and manage complex ICT infrastructures to meet the
needs of over 5,000 corporate and public sector customers. To
achieve this, Logicalis maintains strong partnerships with
technology leaders such as Cisco, HP, IBM and Microsoft.
The Logicalis Group has annualized revenues of
$1 billion, from operations in the UK, US, Germany, South America
and Asia Pacific, and is fast establishing itself as one of the
leading IT and Communications solution integrators, specializing in
the areas of advanced technologies and services.
The Logicalis Group is a division of Datatec
Limited, listed on the Johannesburg and London AIM Stock Exchanges,
with revenues in excess of $4 billion.
For more information, visit http://www.us.logicalis.com/.