I’m not worrIed about bYod

You should be. In a recent survey, 82% of organizations report workers using personal devices like smartphones and tablets to access business email and other applications. Though businesses reap hardware savings and increased employee satisfaction from BYOD culture, supporting it can be expensive. Cloud enables anywhere access to a variety of devices without IT having to build the supporting infrastructure.

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You’ve heard them. So have we. Despite the rapid adoption of cloud computing in government, business, and in our social lives, there are still many misconceptions floating around. Over the years, the concerns and misinformation have evolved as more businesses have embraced cloud. Here we’ve compiled 13 false statements we commonly hear about the cloud and wrap some truth around them.

13 Cloud Myths StIll around In 2013

Cloud IS a Cure-all

That depends on the malady. If you’re looking for a quick fix to handle seasonal spikes, implementing cloud is an ideal solution. However, if you’re looking for a quick fix to correct performance issues or security needs, cloud may only be one of many steps to fix the underlying problem.

Cloud provIderS’ data CenterS hurt the envIronment

In reality, they’re a greener approach than millions of businesses operating their own resource-heavy configurations on site. Between cooling, lighting, and maintenance, enterprise data centers use about twice as much power than needed to do the actual job. With their prime focus on operating as efficiently as possible, cloud provider data centers are becoming greener and more efficiently run than ever.

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we’ll loSe our jobS to the Cloud

In fact, the cloud isn’t stealing jobs; it’s actually creating more jobs. According to one study, by 2015, the cloud will create over 13 million jobs worldwide. The need for cloud-savvy IT personnel to manage cloud is set to grow. IT pros need to sharpen their cloud skills to keep pace with the changing dynamics.

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05 Cloud IS juSt dIStrIbuted ComputIng

Yes, and no. Yes, cloud utilizes the same technology paradigm used in the distributed computing model, however, cloud layers on new levels of scale and access (APIs) that give businesses a low-cost computing avenue with more control than was possible with simple distributed computing.

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Cloud IS more expenSIvethan on-premISeS It

This misconception often arises from the difficulty businesses have in calculating the true costs of internal IT. According to O’Reilly Media, the cloud actually saves 29% or over $40,000 compared to internal IT.

mIgratIon IS a headaChe

Depending on the age and condition of existing systems, migrating to the cloud may force you to do some house cleaning to correct architectural issues. However, partnering with an experienced provider gives you the guidance you need to identify and correct architectural issues before they create a migration disaster.

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bIg data IS not a bIg deal

Managing the onslaught of digital data threatens to cripple storage resources of average businesses. Even more dangerous are the insights and connections your business maybe missing because of the volume of unstructured data in the organization. Research shows that a typical Fortune 1000 company that uses data only 10% more effectively can generate $2 billion in added revenue. Cloud not only helps businesses store data more efficiently but also helps to structure and organize data for insights you need to beat the competition.

Cloud prICIng IS too ComplICated

Not if you know what you’re looking for and understand the technologies you need. Differing pricing models between providers can easily confuse those entering into the cloud without defined goals.

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I’m waItIng...untIl the Cloud matureS

You’d better get moving. A recent ISACA survey of cloud users, providers, consultants, and integrators suggests cloud computing will hit its maturity within the next four years. The transformation is largely driven by IT professionals (77%) who understand the value of cloud but struggle to get organizational buy-in.

Cloud vendorS forCe You Into CookIe Cutter ConfIguratIonS

Not in the open era. For some business needs, cookie cutter configurations fit the workload and business goal. But for complex, cloud-scale, configurations, open platforms, like OpenStack, offer an open code base giving businesses maximum control, flexibility, and deployment freedom to customize architecture around business needs not packaged offerings.

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I Can buIld mY own Cloud

You can sink time, resources, and effort into building your own cloud, but is that your business focus? Probably not. For the same reasons businesses don’t build their own power plants or cellphone towers, trusting a cloud-experienced provider to deliver IT services gives you the freedom to focus on growing your business not just keeping the servers humming.

You Can put everYthIng on the Cloud

Some businesses can. A restaurant locator app doesn’t have the same security and compliance issues as a banking app. That banking app or other compliance or security sensitive workloads can still benefit from cloud efficiencies with a hybrid cloud model. Hybrid computing allows businesses to move cloud-friendly workloads like file storage or media hosting to the cloud while keeping sensitive pieces like credit card data on dedicated or on-premises servers.

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