On Cloud Computing Definitions: the Feds, Not Forrester Are Doing it Better
A few months back, the federal government has drafted cloud computing definitions which were generally highly received and appreciated by the industry. The definitions are still a work in progress. In fact, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has just updated the definitions last October 7.
According to Forrester Research, there is a need for clear definitions for cloud computing and related services. James Staten, the independent research firm’s principal analyst says that vendors are ‘cloudwashing’ as they are providing their clients with their own set of definitions that add to the confusion.
Staten further outlined eleven types of cloud computing services and arranged them under three categories including: infrastructure hosting services, rented software and application services where developers can build their platform.
The problem is that analysts such as Forrester are just making the whole thing more confusing by introducing their own set of definitions that are, in reality, meant just for paying clients. Forrester is inclined to believe that they are helping but it seems that they are just looking for another way to make sure that they put their stamp on our definition of cloud computing.
The Forrester report that covers the said categories and services for cloud computing is available for download but you will need to pay $1749 for it.
NIST is not really that aggressive as far as promoting the definitions it has drafted is concerned. However, it seems that NIST offers a clearer picture so far on what cloud computing is all about.
Cloud Computing as per the recent draft:
It is a model that enables the convenient and on-demand access to shared computing resources. The said access can be quickly provisioned and then deployed without requiring a lot of management and service provider interaction.
