Enterprise cloud computing differs from traditional cloud computing the way that a dedicated staff of 20 differs from a part-time receptionist. Enterprise cloud computing offers companies far more power, resources and flexibility to accomplish large-scale tasks. Traditional cloud computing, while still an excellent storage solution for small to mid-level companies, does not contain the mix of business and technology that enterprise cloud computing does.
The difference is notable especially in the area of infrastructure as a service, or IaaS. Smaller companies tend to have little need for IaaS as it literally involves creating an internal network that is designed specifically to help businesses create industry-specific projects or programs. Several larger companies have begun to rely more on IaaS as a way to gain competitive advantage over their rivals by creating a tighter integration between business processes and technology.
Cloud hosting also becomes more complex in the enterprise level. Instead of selling storage in terms of pure memory, enterprise solutions tend to emphasize cloud hosting in terms of architectures and application development. If a company wishes to develop an interactive website that also uses a company specific language to execute specific tasks, they may opt for a cloud hosting package that comes with different pre-programmed languages or modules. A traditional cloud computing package might simply offer the choice of a certain number of gigabytes that are accessible by an open API. An enterprise based solution may offer unlimited amounts of storage space with specific software licensing agreements in either a dedicated or open server.
The idea of the “private cloud” may be the most distinctive feature of enterprise cloud solutions. Larger companies rarely wish to share control features, access permissions, or even servers with another company. By purchasing a “private cloud” service, companies can protect their data by specifically configuring their networks in a way that they could not only a few years ago. The level of configuration available to companies who purchase private cloud solutions is perhaps their greatest selling point. Very few of these programs actually offer enhanced security in terms of the firewalls or other protective measures used to keep data private. What they offer customers is the illusion of greater control through customization and configuration. In some cases, such as the Savvis “Project Spirit” enterprise solution, companies do experience different quality of service levels depending on which tier of service they choose. The access methods for each tier can become increasingly customized, making it more difficult for outsiders to find their way in.
It should be noted that IaaS is not the only service offered at the enterprise computing level. SaaS and PaaS, or software as a service and platform as a service, are also popular among clients. SaaS tends to be the most widely used solution for many companies, especially when SaaS is integrated with a web portal that customers can access. In many cases, companies have significantly restructured or shrunk their traditional customer service departments in favor of a more aggressive SaaS system. Customers can frequently find what they need through a professionally integrated SaaS system. Both Hallmark and professional wealth management companies now actively use SaaS to interact with their customers.
Ultimately, enterprise cloud computing allows companies greater flexibility to create custom solutions for their business. They may choose to share these solutions with customers or keep the software strictly accessible to in-house personnel only. In each case, enterprise solutions enable companies to increase their productivity without increasing their overhead.
Enterprise Cloud Computing from Savvis
Savvis Symphony Dedicated delivers a fully managed, customizable, private cloud infrastructure providing dedicated, secure virtualized hosting. With Savvis Symphony Dedicated, you can deploy compute and storage resources quickly and easily, when you need them, and turn them off when you don’t. Our dedicated, private cloud includes a range of public and private connectivity options, and provides secure, virtualized hosting with built-in fault tolerance and complete visibility of your entire infrastructure. You get a private-cloud solution, with customizable infrastructure and global availability in any Savvis-managed data center, as well as robust SLAs at component-level and solution-level, and enterprise-class security and scalability.
