Optimizing Your Infrastructure For Cloud Computing

By Chris Loeffler, Data Center Applications Manager, Distributed Power Solutions, Eaton Corporation

Best practices for managing a cloud IT environment

Cloud computing is generating enormous amounts of discussion and excitement in the world of corporate IT. Eager to drive efficiency up and costs down, organizations of every size and description are rapidly adopting Web-based software, platform, and infrastructure solutions. Indeed, analyst firm International Data Corporation expects global spending by enterprises on cloud services to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 26 percent between 2009 and 2013, from $17.4B to $44.2B. Within a matter of years, experts predict, most businesses will utilize at least some cloud-based applications and services.

Yet for all its capacity to streamline management and boost agility, cloud computing poses unique power, cooling and availability challenges as well. To meet them, businesses must increase the strength and resiliency of both their electrical and mechanical infrastructures.