The Once and Future IT

The Reluctant Futurist

I'm not an IT visionary. At least I don't think I am. But I have recognized the importance of some technologies over the past decade or two, and pondered their future significance in IT.

When I first discovered the Internet and web browsing some 15 years ago, I was in awe. Imagine, viewing a file stored on a server halfway around the world! I'm still a bit amazed by it. I knew then that the web browser was destined to be the user interface of the future.

This year I again find myself speculating on two technologies poised for tremendous growth—cloud computing and wireless networks. But, neither of these technologies are really new.

Wireless networks have been around for years, and Wi-Fi is almost the norm for personal Internet access. Same for cloud computing. Online banking (a cloud computing service) has been in use for quite some time. In fact, the newest aspect of cloud computing may be its name.

Why do I believe these technologies are the future of IT? Frankly, they're simple and convenient. This brings me to another observation, a virtual paradigm shift, that personal technology seems to be influencing business technology more and more.

Now, to get back to the future...

Cloud Computing

With a somewhat nebulous name, cloud computing is causing quite a stir these days. It seems everyone has their own definition for cloud computing, which is probably the reason for all the confusion surrounding this technology.

I've also struggled with defining cloud computing and its associated implementation models such as SaaS (software as a service), Web 2.0 and SOA (service oriented architecture). Cloud computing can be a difficult term to pin down, but is essentially a generic term used to describe all of these models (see Cloud Computing Demystified).

Web 2.0 and SaaS are prime candidates for businesses. With wikis, blogs and mash-ups, these versatile services can effectively improve work group collaboration and communication. And, all that is needed is a browser with a fast Internet connection.

Cloud computing services are simple to implement and can quickly provide significant value to the business. Most services do not require additional on-site equipment, which keeps installation costs and time to a minimum. However, vendors are starting to offer appliance based solutions as well.

If cloud computing is such a great technology, why aren't businesses flocking to it and taking advantage of all the benefits it affords?

Businesses have some concerns and issues that must be addressed. While some of these are technical issues, most issues involve cultural changes.

The major issues are:

• Security – Probably the biggest customer concern is how secure their data is on the vendor's servers and who can access it. A strong user authentication process is a must. Also, many businesses are uncomfortable with storing their data outside their firewall. Vendors can address security in two ways.
  
  First, encrypting data during transmission and while stored so that only the customer can decrypt it will prevent anyone else from seeing the data. Second, vendors can install their service using an on-premise appliance at the customer site behind their firewall.
  
  
• Availability – If you're relying on a service to run your business, that service must be available when you need it. Service providers can provide an SLA (service level agreement) to address this concern. However, the customer must also have a reliable Internet connection.
  
  
• Customization – Can the service be customized to support the customer's unique requirements? It must be highly configurable. In addition to email, calendars and wikis, software packages like SAP and Oracle that can be configured without modifying the underlying code are great candidates for cloud computing. Company branding is also important, so the service must allow the UI (user interface) to be changed to match the company's look and feel.
  
  
• Migration – Can a customer migrate their data to a new service provider? Businesses might not like being locked-in to the current service provider. Customers must have free access to their underlying data. Migration to and from service providers should be no more difficult than migrating in-house applications.
  
  
• Data Backup – Customers must be able to backup their data at will. This is required for business continuity and disaster recovery, or in the event something happens to the service provider. Backups can be handled by a third-party escrow service, or by an online backup directly to the customer's premises. This latter option also provides a convenient copy of the customer data that can be used for migration or ETL applications.
  

Perhaps the primary issue is trust. What if the service provider is unable to support their SLA, or worse, goes out of business? As cloud computing service providers address these concerns and issues, businesses will be less reluctant to use them.

Wireless Networks

The subject of wireless networks is somewhat broad, ranging from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth to wireless broadband (2G/3G) to microwave and laser to WiMAX. Most of these wireless technologies are widely used today. However, Wi-Fi and WiMAX are especially poised for explosive growth in the near future.

I think most people have used or at least heard of Wi-Fi thanks to the ubiquitous cybercafes. Wi-Fi and wireless local area networks (WLANs) are also used in the workplace to one extent or another. Although widely used in business, issues concerning security, bandwidth and management have hindered Wi-Fi and WLAN growth, and wired LANs still prevail.

WiMAX is a newer and perhaps the least known wireless technology. Most may not have heard about WiMAX yet, let alone used it. So, what is WiMAX?

WiMAX Explained

WiMAX is short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, also referred to as wireless MAN (metropolitan area network). It's a relatively new standard for both fixed and mobile wireless broadband.

WiMAX can theoretically provide synchronous (uplink and downlink) speeds of up to 70 Mbps. Fixed WiMAX is primarily intended as an alternative for the often troublesome wired last mile network access traditionally provided by the local telephone company.

The Wi-Fi Explosion

Issues with Wi-Fi are quickly being addressed. For security, WPA2 implements the 802.11i security standard and is now considered fully secure. The nascent 802.11n specification has raised Wi-Fi throughput to 100 Mbps and higher. New WLAN controllers are improving WLAN provisioning and management.

Wi-Fi is extremely convenient for accessing the network and reduces the need to install costly Ethernet cables. Although notebook users gain the biggest benefit, desktop workstations can also take advantage of wireless network connections.

Soon, most if not all workstation network access will be wireless. As Wi-Fi equipment continues to improve and costs continue to fall, it will only make sense for businesses to simplify their network management by fully adopting Wi-Fi for workstation network connectivity.

Future of IT?

Is cloud computing and wireless networks the future of IT? Only time will tell. There are some hurdles to jump, both technical and cultural, before we see wider adoption of these technologies.

What are your thoughts? Am I on base or completely off? In either case, post your comments and let me know where you think IT is headed.

By Harry Hiles, HBH Technology LLC — 31 Dec 2008