For many midsized organisations, the Cloud used to represent a step into the unknown that may invite security risks, increased costs and a larger IT workload.

Joanne believes organisations are now realising that cloud computing can actually reduce IT costs by moving the right workloads to a cloud-based IT consumption model. The Cloud can provide anytime access to key business applications, provide organisations with new capabilities and streamline business, whilst maintaining the right level of security.

Cloud computing is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. With both public and private cloud deployment models available, an organisation has the flexibility to get a solution tailored to their business demands and needs. They can choose to utilise the public cloud, build their own private cloud or even organise for a vendor like IBM to build and run a private cloud for them. Companies should take the time to decide which workloads are suitable for moving to a cloud and which deployment model suits them best.

No matter what an organisation chooses, reputable vendors like IBM now have the ability to assist companies of all sizes to create their own secure and scalable cloud infrastructure. The cloud can also offer midsized businesses significant cost savings as well. Joanne Explains: “For as little as 10 to 15 cents an hour, you can have additional storage capacity.”

For midsized businesses starting out with the cloud, it’s important to select the type of cloud that best suits the workload. Private clouds offer the greatest security because they are run behind a company’s firewall. Therefore, Joanne suggests that mission critical data may be better suited to the private cloud, while the public cloud is great for such things as development and testing.

Adapting to the cloud, public or private, allows organisations to easily experiment with virtualisation, standardisation and automation – all processes that can increase the efficiency of an organisation.

For smaller IT solutions, Joanne explains that IBM also has very simple cloud based solutions for companies that need additional server capacity immediately.

“I’m particularly excited about the prospect of the public cloud area. We have an offering at the moment called SmartCloud Enterprise. Quite literally in six minutes you can provision a service, get an IP address and be up and running with additional server capacity.”

This lightning fast set-up is a very good way for companies to dip their toe in the water and experiment with cloud solutions. Plus, as this is a scalable solution, you also have the ability to use as much or as little of the cloud that you need.

For first-time users of the cloud, IBM recommends to start by trialling one area of your IT infrastructure. If you feel this solution works for you, then you can simply add more services to the cloud. The beauty of utilising such a scalable solution is that you also have total control.

It didn’t take Christchurch business owners long to work out how to keep their companies ticking over after a series of earthquakes hit the city. In March, two weeks after the most devastating earthquake, The Dominion Post reported small businesses in that city were thinking about moving to cloud computing.

IDC Research country manager Ullrich Loeffler told the newspaper companies displaced from Christchurch’s central business district might never again re-invest in their own information technology systems. He said: “I think many of them will consider the cloud option.”

I asked Loeffler if there was evidence of Christchurch companies moving from thinking about shifting to the cloud to taking action. He said while he can’t quantify the numbers, he said IDC’s New Zealand researchers have seen an increase in interest and discussion of cloud models in response to the earthquake. That’s across the country – not just in Christchurch.

Loeffler said the cloud is a logical consideration for companies that have lost their previous IT infrastructure. He said: “Infrastructure refresh cycles are often a trigger for cloud discussions and the devastating events in Christchurch forced many organisations into this kind of refresh situation. In addition companies see the benefits with regards to disaster recovery and business continuity after having experienced the impact and importance first hand.”

Closer to the action, Enable Networks CEO Steve Fuller reports he has seen “a significant lift in demand as local businesses reassess their risk portfolio and adopt hosted IT.” Enable Networks is the fibre broadband company chosen to partner the government in Christchurch, Rangiora and surrounding areas as it rolls out its nationwide NZ$1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband network.

Fuller said a: “Noticeable trend post-earthquake is that many businesses are moving their servers or backing up into data centres”. He said the earthquake showed the value of cloud computing and smaller companies often have more to gain from the technology.

It’s not surprising New Zealand businesses are looking more closely at the cloud. Immediately after the most serious Christchurch earthquake, many companies had no access to their business premises. Those who had already moved to the cloud were able to work from home or from a temporary location – which didn’t need to be in Christchurch or even in New Zealand.

There’s no question those smaller companies who were already using cloud computing managed to get back on their feet faster than those still locked in to owing their own physical IT infrastructure.