Cloud Computing for SLCVSP

The following is information presented to the 6 Chief Execs in their July 2011 meeting when they decided we should explore the real possibility of creating a joint South London CVS Cloud.

Cloud Computing – what is it?

Cloud computing provides you with a choice that up to now hasn’t been available. Now you can decide between having the majority of your computing ‘back office functions’ on your own premises with all the implications of maintenance, security, updating & back-up, or you shift this responsibility onto an off-premise provider. There is in-fact very little new technology involved with Cloud computing, all that has happened is that internet speeds, connectivity and capability have improved to the point where this is now a practical consideration.

There are 3 types of IT service that make up the ‘Cloud’

1. Software – instead of the traditional method of purchasing a CD with a software program that you then upload onto your PC, you would now use software which is on the internet to do the work you need. This means you no longer need to ensure you have enough disk space to store software and no longer need to purchase updates because these will happen automatically. This is called SaaS – Software as a Service
2. Platform – this is the term used to describe things like Windows XP and just as with the software above, rather than this sitting on your own computer eating up disk space, it is now accessed via the internet. This is called PaaS -Platform as a Service.
3. Infrastructure – instead of you having to purchase and run a static server in your office to network all your PCs and run combined packages like a database, you can now do this via the internet. This is called IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service.

With new ways of delivering your computing power has also come new ways of purchasing this moving away from licenses and contracts to subscriptions and pay-per-use services ‘consumed’ over the Internet.

                          Traditional Style Network                                                                                                          

                                                               Cloud Style Network

These are the gains that Chief Execs want us to achieve from any potential move to a shared South London CVS Cloud:

CVSs can feel confident they are at the forefront of technological changes and can advise local groups in making similar decisions. CVSs have greater flexibility of working are more resilient to change in working practices, in size and to unforeseen circumstances. CVSs can achieve collaborative working more easily both between each other and with other local infrastructure providers. CVSs are able to offer new IT solutions/services to groups within their borough which don’t require them to ‘hot desk’ within CVS premises. CVSs can collaborate at a borough level too with other infrastructure partners, forming ‘mini-Cloud solutions’. A more detailed list is as follows:-

• There is a consistent user experience whether you are working inside or outside the office. Smart devices are integrated and users can work from many different devices at any time
• It is easier to design jobs without the requirement for office space.
• Key information can be accessed when it’s required, not just when in the office
• CVSs will access the most up to date software enabling exploration of latest features and providing greater security
• Better Business Continuity – Users will be able to work from alternative locations and still access the same data in the same way removing the threat of localised office issues such as power failures and reducing the need to invest separately in disaster recovery solutions.
• There will be greater organisational flexibility to respond to office moves and rapid expansion or downsizing, reducing high investment in expensive hardware with a shelf-life of several years.
• Reduction of on-going support, maintenance and replacement costs particularly of servers.
• Shelf-life of client machines is increased
• Office space becomes more flexible.
• Increase in performance (or at the very least, no decrease).
• Collaboration - Understand the benefits to be gained via a joint approach to the Cloud, e.g. more easily able to collaborate on joint training, on joint directories. Have the ability to establish mini borough specific ‘Clouds’ to support local partnerships of infrastructure organisations and/or provide IT infrastructure for small/start-up groups with the only requirement being good internet access.

Projected Project Timescale

November 2011 - A questionnaire goes out to all CVS staff within the Partnership to  find out their current use of IT, any frustrations with IT and what they would ideally like to be able to use IT for. Coop Systems will be visit each CVS to carry out the necessary technical audit to establish what needs to be migrated to the Cloud and how easy this will be.

Nov/Dec 2011 - Results of the technical audit and questionnaires will be discussed with Coop Systems, and senior managers to identify future needs and what each organisation individually wants to get from the Cloud.

December 2011 - The detailed ‘migration plan’ for the whole Partnership will be completed mid December along with potential costs.

January 2012 - Chief Executives decide on whether to create a South London wide CVS Cloud

March 2012 - The company or in-house provider to establish the South London wide Cloud is appointed

April 2012 - Work begins on migrating systems