A service centric model to evaluate cloud computing tipping point for ICT organisations

Abstract

The notion of cloud computing capability and its potential is rapidly gathering momentum. Advances in virtualisation technologies and Service Oriented Architecture have contributed to this rapid growth. Cloud computing offers a flexible model where IT capability can be procured by organisations similar to obtaining electricity from the power grid or obtaining voice capability from a telecommunications company. This commoditisation of computing power enables organisations to exercise different business models that can organically scale up or down in response to market trends. This key feature enables organisations to maximise their investments to increase their profit margins. However, the governance and enterprise architecture to obtain repeatable, scalable, elastic and secure business outcomes from cloud computing is still greatly undefined. There is little research reported defining a framework that not only considers financial motivations, but also business initiatives, IT governance structures. IT operational control structures and technical architecture requirements to evaluate the benefits arising from investing in cloud. We identified significant gaps in current reported research. This research proposes a novel model to address the exciting research gaps. This model can be leveraged by an organisation to evaluate the "tipping point" where it can make an informed decision to embrace cloud computing at the expense of on premise hosting options. This novel model is referred to as the Cloud Computing Tipping Point (C2TP) model. It is a service centric framework created by mapping cloud computing attributes with ValIT,  COBIT and ITIL industry best practices. This model assists ICT organisations to make informed decisions regarding the investment on cloud computing initiatives and assist in defining cloud computing enterprise architecture. This thesis discusses the C1TP model in detail and demonstrates its eapability by leveraging an artefact. The artefact also demonstrates a new cloud messaging taxonomy referred to as Cloud Computing Tipping Point Mark-up Language (CTPXML). This service taxonomy is realised to enable the third parties and intelligent agents to communicate with the C2TP model. A service centric model is created to enable exchange of information and facilitate intelligent agent communications with the C2TP model leveraging CTPXML taxonomy. The thesis discusses the findings of utilising this artefact to evaluate the C2TP model. It details case study findings from large enterprises and small to medium enterprises as a result of these evaluations. Finally, the thesis discusses the key contribution of the C2TP model and future work to further extend the model.