Cloud computing provides resources like storage, processing power and software through the internet instead of locally. It has advantages like lower costs, easier maintenance and integration. However, it also has disadvantages like an reliance on internet access and needing to consider security, compliance and software licensing models. Deciding whether and how to implement cloud services requires evaluating needs, budget, and how well cloud solutions address specific organizational challenges.

1. Cloud Computing: Useful tool, or
water vapor?
August 4, 2010
National Association of Bar Executives
Michelle Murrain
Director of Engineering, OpenIssue, LLC
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2. Talk Overview
•Definitions
•How did we get here?
•Examples
•Advantages and Disadvantages
•Implementing Cloud Computing
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3. Definitions
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5. Definitions
•“Cloud” computing is the situation
where resources (storage,
processing, display) are contained
offsite and accessed through the
internet
•“Cloud” computing is a buzzword
•“Cloud” computing could be called
just as easily “Internet” computing
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6. How did we get here?
•Cloud computing depends on the
following components:
• Cheap hardware
• Open Source operating systems and services
(web servers, etc.)
• Open Standards allowing easy data flow
• In earlier days, we had the mainframe - but
it was a silo
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7. Examples
•There are many different cloud
companies - and many large companies
have cloud computing efforts
•Cloud computing is the hallmark of
Web 2.0
•Both public and enterprise examples
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8. Examples, cont.
•There are 3 basic “cloud” flavors:
• Cloud Services
• Cloud Servers
• Cloud Software
•Some Cloud providers (especially
Google) provide a mix
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9. Examples, cont.
•Services:
• Email, Files, Calendaring
•Servers and Storage:
• Iron (but virtual)
• Backups
•Software:
• Productivity
• Financial
• Fundraising
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10. Google
•Google pretty much only exists in the
cloud
•Google Apps (Services and Software):
•Cloud Mail, Calendaring,
Collaboration Tools, Productivity
tools
•Versions for public as well as
enterprise
•Very popular among organizations
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15. Amazon
•Different kind of cloud provider
•Provides server resources
•Provides Unix and Windows servers
•You install and configure for your
own needs
•Provides easy scalability
•Inexpensive storage
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18. Salesforce.com
•Salesforce.com is Software as a
Service
•Originally a Salesforce Automation
and Customer Service tool - has now
become much more broad
•Different versions with different
capabilities
•Increasingly popular in nonprofits
•Development platform for web-
enabled databases
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21. Advantages of “The Cloud”
•Servers and Services:
• No hardware to service
• No hardware to buy
• No hardware to break
• Lower electricity bills
• No need for WAN
• Ease of integration with other cloud tools
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22. Advantages of “The Cloud”
•Software
• No custom software to maintain
• For Commercial Software: Costs are
comparable (or lower), but without hardware
and hardware maintenance costs
• Integration with other cloud tools is easier
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23. Disadvantages of “The Cloud”
•Internet access required (cut off
from mission-critical
data/functionality if there is no
internet access)
•Doesn’t integrate with on-premise
tools well
•Security compliance must be
investigated
•Data is not in-house
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24. Other issues
•Security of data kept in the cloud can
be both less secure, and more secure
than data kept on-premises.
•Weigh software license fees with
monthly Software-as-a-Service fees
•Weigh hardware maintenance costs
against monthly server CPU/Storage
costs
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25. What’s next?
•Implementing Cloud servers, services,
or software is very much like
implementing any technology change
in your organization:
• What are the points of pain?
• What are the needs of users?
• What is the budget?
• Will the proposed solution get the job done?
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26. Overall Comments
•“The Cloud” is just water vapor -
don’t buy the hype - don’t just move
to the cloud because it’s the next big
thing.
•That said, Cloud servers, services,
and/or software might be a good
solution to particular points of pain.
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27. Overall Comments
•If you are looking for a specific
technology change (like a new
CRM/Donor database, or a new email
service, new data storage needs)
don’t forget to look carefully at the
Cloud options
•At this point, there are cloud options
for every mission-critical technology
function that an organization needs.
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