Global IT pioneer brings cloud computing to RP

IBM, the information technology pioneer, is bringing cloud computing to the Philippines, a technology that promises cost-efficient data and applications maintenance similar to the principles of web mail services like Gmail and Yahoomail. “Cloud computing is an important new consumption and delivery model for and business services. Based on two years of research, [this could] help clients turn complex business processes into simple services," Daryl Tan, IBM regional service platform manager, told reporters Thursday. Cloud computing’s centralized storage, memory, and processing would allow users to access their personal files at any computer with internet access. The cloud is the system itself. Mobile professionals especially and companies in general, whose operations heavily depend on computing and electronic sharing, would befit from the system, Tan said. “They are given access to company data and resources virtually anywhere and anytime." Private cloud computing specifically allows client companies to have important company data — including their finances — available remotely to their employees in a standardized manner and under a secure connection. “Processing and storage are all done in a centralized, highly secure, efficient, and green data center environment enabling significant IT resource optimization and sharing, plus much improved end user IT management, and higher availability," the company said. In replacing traditional PC setups, cloud computing is expected to reduce by 40 percent the costs in hardware and software maintenance, which make up around 30 percent of a typical company’s operational expenses, IBM said. Tan said that financial institutions and Business Process Outsourcing companies in the Philippines could best benefit from cloud computing. IBM Philippines said it capitalizes on three major cloud computing services, including Smart Business Test Cloud — a private system hosted by IBM’s data centers that provide tools and interfaces designed for developers using Java, .NET, and Open Source environments. Members of the company’s research and development team are tapped into IBM’s Research Compute Cloud, a private system that allows individuals access to highly technical applications for their research projects. Companies that have taken to cloud computing include Elizabeth Arden, the United States Golf Association, University of Pretoria in South Africa, and Pike County School Systems in Eastern Kentucky. —VS, GMANews.TV