IT bosses still cautious about grid computing
VARs urged to help users get their heads out of the sand when it comes to the technology
Grid computing has failed to take off in the UK because of a lack of understanding from customers, research from VAR Morse has revealed.
Grid computing, which allows businesses to create a cluster of servers that pool resources and act as a single computer, was tipped to be ‘the next big thing’. But of the 100 UK IT managers surveyed, 88 per cent claimed their board of directors did not consider the technology a priority. Only eight per cent said their business had adopted, or would adopt, grid computing.
Many firms questioned said that their reasons for rejecting grid computing were because it is too complex, expensive or insecure. Peter Critchley, strategy director at Morse, told CRN: “Chief executives have become jaded by vendor speak. Resellers need to do more to educate their customers.”
Critchley said the technology is the way forward for businesses as it is “simple, secure and inexpensive” to use.
“Most businesses will spend thousands of pounds buying new servers, but then have their heads in the sand when it comes to getting full use out of them,” he said. “By moving to a grid computing model they can run applications across multiple servers instead of just buying another new server.”
Chris Purpura, vice-president of new ventures and strategic alliances at grid computing vendor Platform Computing, said: “The term grid computing is poorly understood in the market. There is a tremendous opportunity for resellers to educate their customers. However, grid computing is making its way into enterprises which is the area of the market we target.”
Bob Tarzey, service director at analyst firm Quocirca, said: “I am surprised at Morse’s findings. We’ve interviewed thousands of firms worldwide about the adoption of grid and have seen a more positive uptake.”