IBM Embraces Cloud Computing, Offers System Validation Services

IBM has revealed a new approach to cloud computing, a clear enterprise trend that has been building for at least two years but that really hasn't been recognized in the same terminology by the world's largest IT company.

Describing it as the "nascent computing model known as 'cloud,' " IBM on Nov. 24 introduced a new strategy using its IBM Global Services group to help other companies determine whether their internal cloud computing systems are airtight and fully functional—even though IBM itself has no centralized, clearly marketed cloud computing strategy of its own as a reference.

True to its longstanding approach to any type of new IT trend, IBM has generally avoided acknowledging the Web 2.0 cloud trend as such, that is, by a term that did not originate in its own labs. Until now, IBM has simply referred to cloud computing techniques as SAAS (software as a service), on-demand computing or advanced customer solutions.

Fair enough—those terms all mean fundamentally the same thing. Most of the industry, however, has long since grouped the delivery of software services over the Internet under the umbrella term "cloud computing," a quicker to use, easily recognizable moniker.

IBM is calling its services Resilient Cloud Validation Services. However, it seems as if various parts of IBM are unsure as to whether the company is actually going to start using "cloud" as a regular part of its vocabulary.

IBM executive Jayashree Subrahmonia, introduced to eWEEK as IBM's director of Cloud Computing Solutions, described herself as Director of Advanced Customer Solutions during an interview.

"What we're bringing in here is our experience in resiliency, high availability—things we've been working on with customers for the last 40 years," Subrahmonia told me.

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