>>Hi,
>> I see Obama has mandated all departments embrace the cloud. See:- http://www.partnerpoint.com/News/EntryId/467/Obama-mandates-embrace-of-cloud-computing-for-all-federal-agencies-By-Kenneth-Corbin.aspx
>>
>> Due to the infrastructure cost savings there could be a rush to this type of provisioning.
>>
>> The problem I see is of strategic importance, the current model is highly distributed i.e. robust, difficult to take out, where as coalescing
>>the systems into only several data centres is dangerous i.e. it could quite easily be taken out, with major long term disruption to all systems.
>>
>> How does everyone see the future of the cloud.
>
>I find it rather interesting. First computers were all giant machines that cost zillions of dollars - all you got was a terminal. Then computers got cheap and everyone has their own machine holding their own data. Now everyone is going to be buying 'terminals' (i.e., netbooks and internet tablets) and all the data & number crunching will once again be done on the big machines...haha - it's like we've come full circle.
>From a security standpoint I see your point that now you just have one target - but I think Craig pointed out that HOPEFULLY the guru's responsible for the 'cloud' will take precautions.....guess we'll find out soon enough. Any bets on how long it till take before we read about a cloud that got wiped out or all it's data stolen?

... or an employee rolling out an untested update across the entire cloud... or configuring circular routes in critical routers... or a cloud provider deciding to double your prices at the end of your contract term, because you're locked in, and now your business is unviable... or the cloud provider goes out of business.

Some LOB apps like POS will probably always be local. No retailer can afford to be at the mercy of an internet connection during the holiday rush.