Private cloud computing

The claim that more than a quarter of IT executives are planning to deploy private cloud in 2009 is the latest recognition of steadily changing attitudes in IT departments.

Improved efficiency, better scalability and cost cutting are traditionally cited as the drivers for using applications delivered in the cloud – and despite the previous reluctance within the public sector to embrace this way of working, it is starting to generate interest, particularly with the government directive for IT energy consumption to be carbon neutral by 2012, and completely carbon neutral throughout its lifecycle by 2020 .

Demand for cloud applications continues to drive growth in data centres around the globe, but of particular note is the increase in requirements for complex hosting services, offering far more than a ’rack and stack’ environment. With the burden of compliance and availability taken away complex hosting saves time and money, reduces carbon emissions, and helps business work more efficiently.

As the business community shifts towards IT being delivered as a service it will become increasingly important for organisations to consider carefully who they entrust to host their infrastructure and deliver applications to an increasingly mobile workforce.