ServicesCloud Solutions
CLOUD Computing
A new approach to software procurement
There is a huge amount of hype surrounding cloud computing but despite this more and more C-level executives and IT decision makers agree that cloud computing is a real technology option. It has moved from futuristic technology to a commercially viable alternative to running applications in-house.
Cloud computing is certainly not a silver bullet technology but it does open the door to new models of IT software procurement and allows organisations to consider critical questions such as:
- What if you could remove many of the headaches of operating and managing your own applications with the result that this left you with more time to focus on your core business?
- What if you didn't need to have a huge data centre with all the attendant staff and utility costs?
- What if your applications could be procured on a ‘per-transaction’ or 'per-use' basis thereby tightly aligning the costs with your business success?
- What if the software could be operated for you in a massively scalable environment where you didn't have to worry about being able to cater for peak consumption periods?
- What if you could more easily offer a self-service environment to your customers thereby improving service and reducing costs further?
- What if you could react more quickly to market forces and launch new applications in less time?
These questions, and more, are leading companies to consider cloud computing as a viable strategy for the future. For a full analysis of Cloud Computing please see our "Cloud Computing Management Guide"
Cloud Computing & Windows Azure
Anticipating huge growth in the cloud computing arena, Microsoft have invested billions of dollars in creating a cloud computing platform called Windows Azure.
Windows Azure is a suite of technologies delivered as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering enabling organisations to build and deploy applications to the cloud.
The platform for Windows Azure is hosted, operated and managed by Microsoft in huge data centres around the world. In 2009 they opened a 330,000 sq. ft. data centre in Dublin as part of a global rollout of Windows Azure.
Windows Azure supports applications developed in .NET, Java, PHP, Ruby etc. For existing applications already developed using .NET the migration path to Windows Azure can be a relatively painless one in many cases.
Our Cloud Solution Services
Kynetix were one of the first Microsoft Partners worldwide to launch an application running on the Azure platform.
In September 2009 we converted our trade breaks application, Resolve, to run on the Azure platform. This enabled us to get an early insight into the requirements for building applications for Azure and helped us understand what is required to convert existing applications.
Since that time we have worked closely with Microsoft on Azure and have been part of a select group of companies invited to contribute to the Windows Azure roadmap.
We have developed a range of offerings to help our clients take their business in to the cloud.
- Windows Azure Assessment Survey - This is a complimentary workshop where we work with you to firstly help you understand the Windows Azure Platform and then explore how Windows Azure could assist with your business challenges. We follow up the workshop by providing you with a consultancy report.
- Windows Azure 3-2-1 - Our Azure 3-2-1 service is designed to help you get a pilot application up and running on the Azure platform in the shortest time possible using the expertise of our specialist Azure teams. It is a structured fixed-price engagement where we will work with you to identify, and deliver, a pilot project which will use 3 of the Azure platform services that 2 of our developers can build in a maximum of 1 month. We will use Agile techniques to ensure that the project is fast-tracked to meet the deadline. Click here to download our Azure 3-2-1 fact-sheet.
- Fast-tracked Windows Azure Application Development/Migration - You're ready for the cloud and now you want to get your application up and running as soon as possible. Using our expertise with Windows Azure combined with our Agile development skills we will get your application live in the shortest timeframes possible and with the lowest risk.
To find out more about how we can offer help your organisation implement cloud applications on Windows Azure please contact us at our London office listed below.