Will 2009 Really Be the Year of Cloud Computing for IBM?

The term “Cloud Computing” has been a buzzword in the industry for sometime now and IBM, being involved in this space for about 2-3 years, has seen it really take off. The company told TMCnet in November of last year that its new cloud computing services will help businesses of all sizes take advantage of this computing model by providing its industry-specific consulting and technology record to offer secure, practical services to companies in the public, private and hybrid cloud models.

 

Earlier this year, continuing in its efforts in making 2009 the Year of the Cloud, IBM (News - Alert) revealed at events around the world a series of new products, services, clients and partnerships for its Blue Cloud initiative. IBM was also collaborating to develop and test integrated cloud solutions for businesses.

 

However recently, “Big Blue” has lost some friends in the clouds. Over the weekend, IBM was in the eye of the hurricane dealing with the likes of Google, Amazon.com, and Microsoft, in the end resulting to all of the companies to withdraw their support for IBM's effort to launch a cloud-computing initiative.

 

Members of the Cloud Computing Interoperability Forum (CCIF) also pulled their support, NewsFactor.com reported.

 

Why the turmoil between companies? The bottom line was IBM's manifesto with some companies not being happy about being invited late in the process, while others believe that there are some political efforts under way.

 

The CCIF's organizer, Reuven Cohen, said because the group represents members from various industries, it could not endorse just one document.

 

"I don't think anyone had any issues with the document, that was hard to argue with and I'm an advocate for an open ecosystem for cloud computing," Cohen said. "The issue is a lot of people in the community -- small and big companies and individuals -- believe cloud is an approachable technology."

 

The CCIF could not endorse the manifesto because some of its members didn't agree that it was an open and fair process. "They feared that it was overly political and may have agendas," Cohen said.

 

"While Google (News - Alert) isn't party to the manifesto, we are a strong advocate of cloud computing, given the substantial benefits for consumers and businesses," said Google's Jon Murchinson. "We value industry dialog that results in more and better delivery of software and services via the Internet, and appreciate IBM's leadership and commitment in this area. We continue to be open to interoperability with all vendors and any data."

 

"Microsoft (News - Alert) is behaving the way it behaves and IBM is behaving the way it always behaves," said Kelly Sims, a spokesperson for IBM. "It is not surprising that folks are looking for ways to poke holes in what IBM is doing."

 

Sims said everyone was approached relatively at the same time and that the effort came together in just weeks.

 

Thirty-five companies and organizations have signed on to the manifesto, which went live Monday morning. Companies including EMC, Sun Microsystems, and AT&T (News - Alert) are on board, as are the Open Cloud Consortium and The Open Group.

 

"Seventeen new ones have contacted us this morning and clearly they are not scaring off everyone," Sims said of Microsoft, Amazon and Google. "It is pretty impressive when you take away the Microsoft versus the world battle."

 

IBM said the manifesto was drafted and went live in order to get a conversation started, but the most important steps will come in the next few months, according to NewsFactor.com.

 

"It is important to embrace this for what it is, and that is an early step (in the process)," Sims said. "This is going to be a significant effort."