The buzz word for 2008 was Cloud Computing.  It is seen as a way of cutting costs in a recession. But there is far more to it that simply switching off your internal systems and cutting over to the new Cloud Computing servic.

 

Sadly the Cloud Computing service providers make it sound oh so simple.  And it is form their end.  You are just another client.  at your end you have a new systems implementation project.

 

So, before you start, what are the questions you should be asking yourself? 

 

This articel is short to list them all, but a new book due to be published in the Spring has a comprehensive list of the questions to ask internal and of the service provider.    www.smart-questions.com

 

Cloud Computing is all about providing information to the individual wherever they happen to be, whatever they are doing, and in a format that they want to consume it.  Oh – and at an acceptable level of risk and cost to the company.

So that is the backdrop for these questions. What do I need to know to firstly quantify the costs, opportunities and risks, and then manage the risks.

 

The questions have been grouped into the following areas:

 

Questions for my own organization?
-    Capability
-    Costs
-    Legal
-    Readiness

 

What should I ask my vendor?
-    Vendor capability
-    Product capability
-    Delivery
-    Commercial model
-    Legal