1.
My 2 cents
Paul Quickenden,
Strategy Manager Gen-i
@paulq
@geni_ICT
A provocative look at the
Proprietary vs Open source
debate in cloud computing

2.
Setting the scene

3.
There is considerable discussion within
cloud circles about Opensource

4.
..some (including me) predicting that
proprietary software is in big trouble

5.
… OSS pundits are building platforms
and attempting to build standards

6.
…and some downright vilification
of some vendors

7.
Cloud ‘Developers’ are making
choices based on their world view

8.
…seeing some of their partners
start to go direct…
Obviously, AT&T, Peer1, and Hosted Solutions weren't
overjoyed about competing with their storage vendor, which
is undoubtedly a major reason why EMC shut down Atmos
Online.

9.
…hearing some of their peers being
caught out by company failures or
acquisitions

10.
While being bombarded with
FUD…

11.
..or bringing their own ‘religious’
beliefs

12.
Which are all valid concerns, but they tend
to ignore customers and what they want

13.
..customers have long since abandoned
even the pretence of caring about the
definitions….
Proprietary vs Open source

14.
…instead they are making decisions using
the same trusted criteria they always have
…Technology they know and trust
…are trained in (and have built their careers around)
…have already business cased (and put their
heads on the block)

15.
…or taking the least risk approach…
“In the enterprise, Private cloud will Mature First, and it
will be built on the technology already in the data centre”

16.
Why is there such a big divide?
Proprietary Open Source
You got open
source on my
proprietary cloud
You got
proprietary on
my open source
cloud

17.
Well… lets view this from an
client adoption of innovation
Point Of View

18.
Cloud computing is still early in
the product lifecycle

19.
Which means there is lots to DO to get the
majority clients over the line
Source : http://pharmtech.findpharma.com/pharmtech/Manufacturing/Nanotechnology-the-next-silver-
bullet/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/605695
16%
34%34%13.5%
2.5%
90%

20.
And the key things to ‘DO’ from a client
POV are mainly about service reliability
“Availability and performance were tied at #2 last year,
and are there again this year.

21.
So… how do you build in performance,
availability and dependability into your product?

22.
….you build your products using
proprietary, interdependent architectures
— This approach
gives you control
of the entire
system…
— And this control
improves the
reliability
• Source: Http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest9801-134609-christensen-education-ppt-
powerpoint/
Good enough line

23.
And you keep at it until you get past the
good enough line….
• Source: Http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest9801-134609-christensen-education-ppt-
powerpoint/
Good enough line

24.
…and competition changes, in order to
differentiate you need to provide more
choice, customisation and speed.
Good enough line

25.
And to deliver these you need
modular, open architectures….or
OSS
25January 29, 2015©Copyright Gen-i 2009

26.
Where are we seeing this?

27.
Strong growth of Opensource in commodity areas
and ….

28.
…Funnily enough proprietary PaaS…which appears
to deliver the speed, choice and customisation

29.
Conclusions…
— In general, all big debates that the clouderati are having
don’t mean much to clients
— Cloud might be a new, but all the old rules apply (innovation
adoption, profit, channel dynamics, human dimension, who wins and
who looses)
— The whole debate of proprietary and OS is just a question
of timing… and customers dictate that not us.
— Watch for when the ‘good enough’ line is crossed…
— The customer outcome that PaaS & open source
architectures provides are pretty much the same…
— Flexibility, agility, customisation
— If you are a developer you are going to have to place your
bets, but pick a big player…
— And expect to eventually compete with them at the high end
29January 29, 2015©Copyright Gen-i 2009