Information management has never been as hot a subject as it is today. In such a context cloud computing is revolutionising the way the world operates by reducing costs, risks and exponentially scaling capabilities. By definition, the term refers to the internet based storage and usage of information such as email, data and applications by individuals and organisations. The term’s origins date back to the 1960’s when John McCarthy (a computer scientist) spoke of computation becoming a public utility in future (like electricity or water supply).
The key proposition of cloud computing is that organisations of any scale can outsource their offline and online data requirements, instead of investing in internal hardware and software assets. It is a consequence of the ease of remote access to the internet, as well as the commercialisation and mass uptake of virtualisation, service oriented architecture (SOA) and utility computing. It essentially provides a new (and supplementary) consumption and delivery model for IT services through the internet. Traditional in-house data storage requires expensive hardware and software, brings about maintenance headaches and infrastructural risks. As if this isn’t enough, fresh upgrade or replacement expenditure is required to keep up with ever changing standards.
Many organisations in Zimbabwe have lost critical data and equipment as a result of power constraints and are highly vulnerable to information theft (such as hacking). Cloud computing greatly reduces such threats as offsite data centres manage and archive data on behalf of clients. According to research published by IDC 63% of South African companies are migrating to cloud based solutions. Companies like MTN Business are also providing cloud based solutions for blue chips and SMEs on a Pan African scale.
The following subsets of Cloud Computing are ideal for Zimbabwe and the greater continent:
1. SAAS (Software As A Service)
SAAS is perfectly positioned to transform Zimbabwean and African organisations. It entails using applications stored on a remote site (a cloud), as if they are on an organisation’s system/s. An example of this is Google Apps (Tech Zim uses it). The suite comes with collaborative based ‘apps’ such as an option to Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), IM support and a calendar. These can be used with a similar user experience as one would expect from an application running off a PC. When a power outage strikes or system crashes all documents are stored and accessible on any machine in the world through remote access. More than one person can have access to such data; we were actually impressed by Google Docs as we could work on the same documents at the same time on different computers.
The suite has been successfully implemented by SMEs and even giants like KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, one of the biggest airline companies in the world. KLM’s 11 200 crew employees uses Google Apps Premium Edition as a standard and are able to collaborate in 42 languages at the click of a button. The standard version of Google apps is entirely free while a premium edition is available at a range of between $5 and $50 per employee per year with full support. Over and above various other SAAS applications, an immediate opportunity exists for Zimbabwean ICT service providers to offer Google Apps solutions at an enterprise level.
2. IAAS (Infrastructure As A Service)
IAAS is another highly ideal route for Zimbabwean organisations to pursue as it has been successfully implemented in similar markets on the continent. IAAS is when a service provider (through its data centre/s), avails its storage infrastructure as a service. In essence companies are able to store or backup their data remotely for a nominal fee. In the event of a server crashing, ZESA surge or freak occurrence at a company, its critical information will be safe and sound (offsite). Dropbox has become an international success; an opportunity exists for similar solutions to be provided locally at an enterprise level. IAPS, ISPs and other data centre operators can use their infrastructure for this purpose.
3. NAAS (Network As A Service)
NAAS applies to Mobile Operators, IAPs, and ISPs. It requires them to shift their mindsets from looking at their networks as a core business to building value added services around them. Perfect examples of NAAS with regards to Mobile Operators are M-Pesa in Kenya, MXIT in South Africa and Kingdom Bank’s Cell Card (in partnership with Telecel). Local Mobile Operators need to embrace Value Added Service Providers (VASPS) as partners by offering mutually beneficial business terms. VASPs on the other hand need to form an association to effectively lobby for fairness due to the cannibalistic greed of some mobile operators locally.
In the case of IAPS and ISPs, there is a burning need for them to shift focus from simply providing internet access to SAAS and IAAS type services. An example of this is MWEB’s recent cloud storage service offering in South Africa; MWEB Store It. The sector will experience fierce competition and consolidation as a result of the wave of new players coming in. Simply providing internet access will not be enough as individual and corporate consumers will be spoilt for choice.
We will publish a follow up article exploring NAAS in the near future as the topic warrants a detailed and separate analysis.
The benefits each of the above can impart on organisational and national productivity are immense. Leveraging on superior infrastructure and the focus of established service providers, to concentrate on core business makes for a strong business case. Such solutions are fully managed, make the most of resources and provide usage based pricing (You pay for what you use). They can also be exponentially scaled when growth beckons. On average, companies use only 20% of their server capabilities. In effect cloud computing eliminates the 80% capacity wastage. According to Mike Macharia, the Founder and CEO of Kenya’s Seven Seas Technology, a $15 million revenue IT services firm, “Most companies will now have an easier way to put services in place through secure cloud computing, which will relinquish the burden of financial pressure on capital expenditure”.
On the other hand, challenges of migrating to the cloud are bandwidth, uptime and security. A cloud security breach exposes an organisation and downtime curtails productivity. However such problems have always existed, even without the cloud computing. Internationally uptime can be 99.9% guaranteed while security is a complex and ever changing area requiring consistent attention. Where bandwidth is concerned, cloud computing can only be built around quality broadband services.
The arrival of SEACOM, EASSY, TEAMS and other undersea cables has placed Africa and Zimbabwe within reach of the cloud. More so the extensive laying of fibre locally by Econet, PowerTel, Africom and Telecontract. The onus is on locals to prepare and build on these developments as the migration to cloud computing is inevitable. An indicator of this is the fact that Hard Drives are on the verge of being replaced by Solid State Drives (SSD).
Low barriers of entry enable any organisation in Zimbabwe to begin migrating to cloud based solutions. Before doing so it is advisable to undertake an impact assessment so as to select the best solutions.