The mobile cloud – get informed

The increase in mobile devices and applications is changing the way in which consumers relate to businesses and products.

Although the concept of mobile cloud-computing is a popular one, many organisations are not fully aware of the requirements behind it.

According to Roelof Louw, Head of ITO Pre-sales Systems at T-Systems in South Africa, there are a number of things to consider before taking the leap towards mobile, cloud-based architecture.

Speaking at the T-Systems Symposium, Louw clearly defined the concept of the mobile cloud:

• Mobile cloud-computing is not mobile computing.
• Mobility in the cloud is a hosted, centralised offering that runs mobile enterprise extensions and services in a virtualised environment.
• The mobile cloud is made available through various structures – including the pay-per-service or pay-per-use model – and is aligned to industry best practices for the provisioning of these services
• It is important that these devices are managed securely– particularly within the context of the private cloud
• It should be governed by industry standards and up-to-date security solutions.

Louw also emphasised the physical benefits behind mobile cloud-computing:

• Offers a flexible, shared service.
• Saves costs on physical infrastructure implementation.
• Allows for greener IT practices due to remote access to data.

Despite the benefits, Louw encouraged early mobile cloud adopters to be wary of the pitfalls behind a poorly-implemented cloud model – information security being one of the most significant.

According to Louw, detailed in-house policy is vital to the success of the mobile cloud model.

“Companies should establish a clear mobile cloud policy which can be based on available best practices and guidelines,” he said. “Without effective security and management, mobile cloud computing will not enjoy adoption and the resultant benefits it promises to deliver”