Many new words have entered our vocabulary due to the development of computer technology; recently using IT services in “the Cloud” has become a very popular concept. However just as weather clouds vary so do computer clouds and what someone means when they use the term can be as variable as the weather.
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| Clouds, taken by Kevin Dooley, Flickr CC |
In its broadest term all services residing on the internet that you access and make use of without hosting them yourself are part of the big “cloud” landscape. This includes social services such as Facebook and Twitter as well as other Web 2.0 interactive software programs; for example Delicious bookmarks, Flickr images and all those Google services. These types of service offer great scalability (think how many people use social network applications) but no control over developments and changes, while removal of a service is always a concern.
The current interest in cloud computing is focused on a more niche use of the term or to put it another way a specific type of “cloud” formation. In the past this has more usually been referred to as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), meaning that specific software hosted by someone other than the user is made available flexibly and securely to end users on demand (within a business or learning environment). The host is able to make the most economic use of shared capacity to cater for variations in service demand and maintenance of service.
Providing for a Sustainable Future
Research such as this has led to a substantial investment (£12.5 million) in “cloud computing” services for the future by the Higher Education Funding Council (announced 7 February 2011). This money will allow the development of two separate projects: infrastructure and procurement (£10 million) and project administration for research (£2.5 million).
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| Clouds by John Mueller, Flickr CC |
Both JISC and the HEFCE have become increasingly interested in the potential of Cloud computing for educational institutions as a way of saving money and introducing efficiencies while maintaining a good IT infrastructure. During 2009- 2010 JISC has provided project funding to investigate “cloud” potential for different purposes (research, environmental benefits and organisation efficiency) producing a final report "Cloud Computing in HE and FE".
Infrastructure and procurement means the establishment of a shared infrastructure consisting of virtual servers, storage and data management. Alongside will be the establishment of a broker service for efficient procurement of shared services. This service will incorporate development of “a sustainable financial model for the brokerage beyond the life of the UMF” (HEFCE).
UMF is the University Modernisation Fund, this fund was established to help institutions improve efficiency, make savings but offer more places and prioritise learning in strategically important and vulnerable subjects (sciences, technology, engineering, maths and languages) that are key to national economic recovery. Some of the effects of this fund should have been evident in Universities this academic year. I am uncertain as to whether or not the change of goverment has influenced or curtailed this funding's investment initiative but it has provided the impetus for this interesting cloud computing initiative which is likely to have considerable impact on stratergy in near future for universities at least and maybe provide a lifeline for sustainability.
UMF is the University Modernisation Fund, this fund was established to help institutions improve efficiency, make savings but offer more places and prioritise learning in strategically important and vulnerable subjects (sciences, technology, engineering, maths and languages) that are key to national economic recovery. Some of the effects of this fund should have been evident in Universities this academic year. I am uncertain as to whether or not the change of goverment has influenced or curtailed this funding's investment initiative but it has provided the impetus for this interesting cloud computing initiative which is likely to have considerable impact on stratergy in near future for universities at least and maybe provide a lifeline for sustainability.
Partnerships for HEFCE’s investment
JANET is already well known as a provider of cloud based services centred around the education and research network. Over the last 10 years JANET’S services have developed considerably and continue to move forward with the advances in technology. JANET (UK) will help realise HEFCE’s vision of cloud provision for Higher education, also involved is Eduserv and the Digital Curation Centre.
