Embracing the Business Imperative
In This Chapter
Understanding the challenges of transforming IT
Exploring the business benefits of the new IT
Getting started in this new world
Discovering the role of the hybrid cloud
Managing workloads in a cost-effective way
Most of the discussions surrounding cloud computing tend to focus on the technology and product and services offerings. However, the real value of cloud computing is the way it repositions the information technology (IT) organization to partner with the business in driving innovation and transformation. The ability to bring together a well-constructed data center with private cloud services and a variety of public clouds is the best way to create and drive innovation in business computing. Computing, indeed, has evolved from its original intent of storing and reporting on data. Today, hybrid computing environments are intended to help a company experiment with new business models without having to spend money on speculative endeavors. When business leaders have a variety of resources to experiment with different and unanticipated ways of doing business, they have a better opportunity to succeed. The hybrid cloud environment offers a streamlined and innovative foundation for creativity. This chapter explains how cloud computing and specifically the hybrid cloud environment can help transform business.