This Blog is now closed!!

due to time and work pressure I have decided to close this blog. Thanks to all my readers and I will continue writing but in a different avatar..

Back in business

I have been away for some time now. I was suffering from a shoulder injury and it was very difficult for me to type or even use my laptop for long hours. Now I am back in business and of course in circulation.

The world seemed to have moved much ahead in these 3-4 weeks and I think it will be very difficult to me to catch up with every event and happening around the world.

Cloud Computing or Cash Computing

Have you ever used car pooling? I sometimes do and I believe that I am helping to keep the country green and reduce my carbon -footprint. The idea is simple – resource pooling. The cost and benefits are evenly shared amongst all the users. I have always been a proponent of simplicity and I definitely like the concept.

In the world of business resource pooling is not something new. From the very beginning, when mainframes were costly, companies willing shared and pooled mainframe resources to save capital cost and covert capital expenditure into operating expenditure. This concept slowly faded with the advent of web technologies and the idea of using in-house IT systems and application to gain competitive advantage. This required upfront investment in resources – men (Software Developers, Hardware experts, Configuration Managers, etc), money and material (Servers, Databases, etc) to develop and maintain IT applications. But, amidst today inclement economic weather, CIOs are finding it ever more difficult to find capital. Cloud Computing can be the answer.

Financially, Cloud Computing has two distinct advantages:

1) Pay-as-you go: As an organization you do not have to invest in capital upfront, this can be converted into monthly operation cost. Services and resources can be hired and rented from services providers and vendors.

2) Dynamic Scaling: As required resources can scaled and accordingly the cost. One of the several advantages is that services and features can be upgraded or downgraded dependent upon the need of the business at the time.

There are associated risks and issues that we have to be aware of

1) Undefined SLAs: Before entering into any contract, it is extremely important to clearly define the Service Level Agreements. Any ambiguity or assumptions in the SLAs can result in serious consequences in business operations.

2) Availability of Services: I am sure many of you are aware of the recent outrage faced by Google. Similar outrages will be disastrous for any company reputation, be it for the provider of the services or the user of the services.

3) Vendor locking in: This can be a serious issue if not properly managed. Remember to clearly chalk out the exit criteria.

I am sure Cloud Computing can be the answer for many ‘cash’ problems if understood and used clearly. Should we therefore use the phrase Cash Computing?

Financial Crisis for Beginners

Here is an interesting blog for all who want to know more about the financial crisis. I have learned a great from this blog and would definietly recommend others to have a read.

What's in a name

Forrester’s CEO says that IT or Information Technology should now be called BT or Business Technology. I agree with the new nomenclature, but, what worries me is, will role of CIOs and CTOs change? CIOs and CTOs have always been considered as an outsider. They were barely consulted for new business opportunities and decision. But, with the change in name (not merely) the CEOs office will understand the importance of the CIOs role. The challenge will be, as Forrester rightly points out, will the CIOs/CTOs be ready to embrace the new responsibilities and understand the real meaning of Business Technology?

As I mentioned earlier, this is not a mere change in name. Business Technology is certainly different from traditional IT. Here the emphasis is on customer and business value that technology can bring. Take for example the healthcare industry. Business Technology can change the way patient record is maintained and interpreted, to provide accurate diagnosis and even provide early visibility into patient health history in times of emergency. Social Networking and Web 2.0 (and now Web 3.0) has changed the face of many businesses. Recently, Internet has taken over from TV in advertising. Business Technology is more about business enablement rather business support as traditional IT has been. Business Technology can change business paradigms. Is this the death of IT then? I will definitely say a Big No. Business Technology cannot exist without IT. Therefore, we now have to define and make clear distinction between IT and BT.

Cranfield School of Management now ranked 3rd by WSJ

I had to stay away from writing for the last couple weeks. This is because, I was on holiday and I had intermittent access to the internet. Holidays are always a good time to relax, enjoy some bright sunshine and fine food, meet old friends and spend some quality time with family. It is not always easy to get back to normalcy after a holiday break. The rate of change is much faster than it ever has been. But, I always like to have my laptop, my internet and my blog back.

Now let me try and do some catch up. For many of you who do not know, Cranfield has been ranked 3rd by Wall Street Journal. Good news for the School. Cranfield now seems so distant. It is not more than a year I was at Cranfield.

As I have always mentioned and written, Cranfield School of Management is definitely one of the premier institutions in the world when it comes to one year program. The Team based learning environment close replicates the actual workplace scenario. Each and every day I have learned something new from working team. Today, I can practice many such learning at my workplace.

I do wish all new starters the very best of luck.

Can Mr Obama increase tax?

I am not sure whether Obama will face the same issue as George Bush Senior but is it possible for him to raise tax ? Here is an interesting account