Friday 03 September 2010
High Performance Computing Survey
Over a quarter (28 percent) of IT executives surveyed are planning to deploy private cloud in 2009, according to a survey of delegates by Platform Computing at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC’09) in June 2009. This planned adoption of private cloud within High Performance Computing (HPC) is being driven by the increased workload demand of applications and the need for IT to cut costs at the same time. As the leader in grid and cloud computing software, Platform Computing has been tracking adoption of private clouds and this level of intent to deploy reflects steadily changing attitudes in IT departments.
Cloud computing is an IT delivery model that provides infrastructure and computer resources as a service. By implementing a private cloud, IT leverages the power of sharing to maximize the utilization of compute, networking and storage resources in an organization. The compute-intensive nature of HPC applications lends themselves to the benefits of shared resource pools of private clouds. The concept of cloud computing has generated considerable buzz in recent months and is expected to become increasingly popular over the next few years. According to Gartner, by 2012 80 percent of Fortune 1000 enterprises will be paying for some cloud computing services and 30 percent will be paying for cloud computing infrastructure services.
The survey also cited that IT executives are positive about the benefits of the technology, with most (41 percent) citing ‘improving efficiency’ as the biggest motivation for establishing a private cloud. This was followed by ‘resource scalability’ (18 percent), ‘cutting costs’ (17 percent), ‘experimenting with cloud computing’ (15 percent) and ‘improving IT responsiveness’ (9 percent).
The majority (67 percent) said they are planning to run simulation and modelling applications on cloud, highlighting the need for greater power for compute intensive tasks. When asked what other applications they were planning to run using cloud, 32 percent said web services, while 18 percent said business analytics.
Yet before this takes place, several internal hurdles need to be overcome. Business decision makers are not fully aware of the benefits the technology can deliver — according to the survey findings, 76 percent of IT executives admit they do not feel that business decision makers understand the potential of private clouds. Also, according to respondents, over one third (37 percent) felt organizational culture was the biggest barrier to establishing a private cloud. The survey demonstrates that while IT executives recognize the benefits that private clouds can deliver over the traditional approach to IT, and want to deploy quickly, some decision-makers still need convincing. Others cited complexity of managing (26 percent), security (21 percent), upfront costs (8 percent) and application software licensing (8 percent).
“The private cloud route offers organizations a responsive, cost effective infrastructure model and supports IT’s obligation to oversee fundamental corporate requirements, including governance, compliance, business continuity, cost management and risk management,” said Randy Clark, chief marketing officer, Platform Computing. “IT executives are clearly convinced about the efficiencies and cost savings that private clouds will deliver, but as the research highlights, senior business decision makers are not yet on-board. If enterprises are to reap the full benefits of private clouds, the IT function will evolve to become a business service partner to the business. While this transition will not happen overnight it’s hugely important and will require internal leadership and world-class vendor support.”
Notes to editor: Survey of 103 IT executives completed at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC) in June 2009. For more information about the conference please visit: http://www.supercomp.de/isc09/.
About Platform Computing
Platform Computing is the leader in grid and cloud computing software that dynamically connects IT resources to workload demand according to business policies. Over 2,000 of the world’s largest organizations rely on our solutions to improve IT productivity and reduce data center costs. Platform has strategic relationships with Cray, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Red Hat, and SAS. Building on 17 years of market leadership, Platform continues to help data centers be more efficient, responsive and dynamic. Visit www.platform.com.
It takes more time to fetch data when a request has to leave the LAN, and latency is usually variable and at the mercy of both the Interwebs and the cloud provider. This isn’t so much of an issue when your entire app is deployed in the cloud and users are going directly there for data; the user won’t notice any difference between accessing your app after it’s moved to AWS than they did when you had it deployed in your own data center. In fact some times it might even be faster. The latency monster rears its ugly head when apps are spread across data centers, either in a split architecture or with bursting, where the user is first directed to your local data center and then a decision is made to move that request to the cloud portion of the app.
But what about a hybrid model, the Cloud Franchise: local owners and operators that offer local cloud services but also offer branch versions of the larger cloud options. Some of this model exists in the platform levels today, in fact there is a thriving marketplace for start-ups who are offering AWS-based solutions, pre-packaged and ready to go. If I have latency concerns about bouncing my users from one part of my app in my private Missoula data center to another part of my app located in Baltimore, then a pre-packaged AWS solution won’t really help me with that. I want all parts of my app to be as local as possible, especially when I need to burst into or direct users to the cloud.
We wanted to wait until we had some real customers and partners behind the platform in production before spreading the word on a larger scale. And now, I am very happy to report that we have reached this point sooner than expected and just in time for the JavaOne event. The new version includes an enhanced integration with the Amazon billing system Devpay designed to enable users to use GigaSpaces as a service on a true pay per use model. All you need is an Amazon account and your done. Unlike other products, that are offered in similar fashion, we decided not to provide just a bundle of our software packed in an Amazon image (AMI) but instead provide a more tight integration with EC2 that will enable our users to use a single GigaSpaces product for all GigaSpaces versions as well as customize the installation to include their own software packages and application code on the fly.
Users that are looking to try out the new XAP product can now do that for free without the need to download or install anything. This will enable you to try out any of the built-in examples, test the high availability features and run benchmarks in just one click. The new version includes lots of additional improvements to the user experience as well as new features and bug fixes. Those that will be visiting JavaOne this week will be able to join the hands-on labs session and experience a full deployment of JEE application using CCF. You will also be able to gain insight from one of our customers, Primatics Financial on how they used CCF to build their Risk Management application as a service.
CompanyStore.IN for its Center of excellence (CoE) for SaaS and cloud computing. CompanyStore.in is a well known logo merchandising company that leverages technology to support marketing and branding for some of the biggest names of the industry. Making the announcement, Sanjiv Gupta, Chairman, said, “Our Center of Excellence (CoE) for SaaS and Cloud computing will have the large scale virtual computing power with true definition of scalability and value proposition for companies like CompanyStore.IN. Our technology is targeted for small medium and enterprises to migrate swiftly from traditional brick and mortar business model to web cost effectively backed by efficient cloud computing infrastructure.”
BodhTree expects its SaaS and Cloud Computing technology to grow in the near future as it continues to broaden with SaaS based solutions across different vertical and horizontal application areas, Bodhtree’s CoE help CompanyStore.in to add newer features over existing feature, such as the platform to offer rewards and recognition programs, lead generation and channel incentive programs that allow access each and every stake holder in a company’s eco system. Bodhtree’s vision for the SaaS and cloud computing Center of Excellence is to quickly apply the emerging standards, tools and technology and demonstrate the virtualization of services and processes in the new world so that companies can embrace its dedicated CoE for cloud computing and SaaS based services and benefit from its technological advancement”, says Raghavan Madabhushi, Head – SOA&DW at Bodhtree Consulting.
I know summer doesn’t officially begin until next week, but free time is over already, the whistle is blowing, and everyone out of the pool. It’s time for the big boys to clean up. This morning, two big brand cloud services emerge from beta — one of them geared toward everyday applications, the other toward building custom sales-driven apps. And this means they’re no longer free…despite the name on one of them, which just happens to include the word “Free.” At $39 per month, you get up to 20 participants and unlimited conversions. Adobe has been billing its cloud service as a communications and collaboration platform, and no one knows yet whether businesses in general will accept it for that purpose in addition to its applications.
One of the earliest and most unexpected major players in cloud computing is Salesforce.com, whose development platform for cloud-driven sales applications using its proprietary database has earned it accolades even over IBM and Microsoft. This morning, the company has added a new pricing tier to its Force.com platform (notice the “sales” emphasis is also coming off a bit), giving small businesses a way to sample the service and get it distributed for something closer to what Microsoft’s currently charging for Windows Azure.
Low cost cloud computing infrastructure and managed services offering is powered in part by 3tera’s award winning AppLogic cloud computing platform and managed by Cirrhus9. The C9 CSP Platform enables Service Providers, like managed hosting companies, ASP firms, software companies and/or IT services companies, to offer Cloud solutions to their customers with minimal investment, short timelines and with reduced complexity. In addition, Cirrhus9 has configured a suite of Open Source products and management tools which provide low cost prepackaged solutions that include email, document sharing/management, collaboration, learning management and others.
AppLogic allows IT professionals to develop and deploy online applications in minutes instead of weeks, using only a browser to manage and scale on demand fully distributed systems and deliver security and business continuity for all applications, while fully controlling their cloud computing environment. Our mission is to help companies use and better understand Cloud technology to achieve measurable results,” continued Michalik. “As a Cloud Integrator, we are passionate about the success of our clients utilizing Cloud technology. For the Service Providers and Technology Companies the net result is that these features bring substantially greater efficiencies, shorter time to market and consistent high-quality infrastructure, with remarkably lower system associated costs.
Platform Computing, the leader in grid and cloud computing software, today announces the appointment of technology industry veteran John Egan to its board of directors. In this role, Mr. Egan will provide guidance to Platform as the company focuses on its cloud computing strategy and prepares to deliver a fundamental new product to the market later this year. To this end, Mr. Egan’s experience with EMC and VMware is considered to be relevant and valuable.
As a Managing Partner at Egan-Managed Capital, John plays an active role in technology startups and supports the growth and recruiting activities of portfolio companies. He currently serves on the board of directors of NetScout Systems, HighRoads, EPiCON, CenterStone Software, HighGround Systems, Lineo, Monetrics, Novera Software, and Caldera Systems. Platform’s long history in grid computing enables the company to further extend its industry leadership and bring a private enterprise cloud computing solution to the market,” said Mr. Egan. “It’s an exciting time of innovation and growth at Platform, and I look forward to working with the Platform team and helping them get to the company to the next level of success.
Over 2,000 of the world’s largest organizations rely on our solutions to improve IT productivity and reduce data center costs. Platform has strategic relationships with Cray, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Red Hat, and SAS. Building on 16 years of market leadership, Platform continues to help data centers be more efficient, responsive and dynamic
SpamTitan, a leading producer of email security solutions, today announces its exciting new cloud computing initiative with VMware to deliver on-demand email security virtual appliances in the cloud. This makes good business sense as Anti-Spam filtering has fast become a commodity application, and commodity applications are logical expenses to outsource versus managing within ones own IT infrastructure. Businesses small and large are embracing cloud computing for inbound email filtering such as handling Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus cleansing of high volumes of incoming mail.
It ensures customers have the opportunity to use email security and anti-spam solutions in the cloud, not in the SaaS model but as their own dedicated on demand application — benefiting from the redundancy, scalability and failover associated with virtualization and cloud computing.” SpamTitan’s unique approach in utilizing next-generation virtualization software eliminates the need for unwieldy hardware, giving customers unparalleled flexibility, versatility and capability but at an affordable price. Integrating best of breed technologies, SpamTitan provides an easy to install, easy to manage and highly secure email gateway. SpamTitan, a division of CopperFasten, is a global company with headquarters in Galway, Ireland. For further information visit, www.spamtitan.com.
SpamTitan for VMware is a complete operating system and virtual email security software suite designed to run on VMware that enables businesses to run SpamTitan on any server irrespective of the operating system. Users can simply click a link to automatically generate a SpamTitan virtual appliance in the cloud as well as having log on access to explore their own SpamTitan application.
