Join ZapThink at IRM UK’ two-day seminar: Cloud Computing for Architects.

Location: London, UK

Dates: March 15 – 16, 2012

Web site: http://www.irmuk.co.uk/events/103.cfm

Workshop Overview
Cloud Computing is the latest buzzword in enterprise IT shops around the world—but scratch the surface, and Cloud Computing consists of a number of existing trends in IT, including virtualization, Software-as-a-Service, utility computing, and more.  Adding to the confusion is a large helping of vendor hype, as both software and hardware vendors push Cloud Computing as an excuse to buy more gear.

The reality, however, is quite different. Cloud Computing presents a variety of operational and deployment models that can help enterprises reduce infrastructure costs, provide better customer value, and position themselves for the future. But organizations won’t succeed with the Cloud unless they understand the strengths and weaknesses of Cloud Computing and have a carefully planned architectural approach that positions Cloud-based capabilities in the context of existing IT assets and challenges.

Learning Objectives

• A clear, vendor-independent understanding of Cloud Computing.
• A well-delineated conception of the strengths and weaknesses of Cloud’s three service models: Software-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Infrastructure-as-a-Service, as well as Cloud’s four deployment models: public, private, community, and hybrid.
• The tools and expertise necessary to put together a Cloud roadmap and migration plan for their organizations.
• An understanding of how to place the Cloud into the context of their current Enterprise Architecture.
• Practical intelligence and advice on securing the Cloud and putting together a robust Cloud governance framework.

Seminar and Workshop Outline

Introduction & Definitions

• Old wine in new bottles
• Formal definition of Cloud Computing
• Essential Cloud characteristics
• Cloud service and deployment models

Enterprise Architecture & The Cloud

• Cutting through vendor hype
• Cloud Computing roadmap
• EA Cloud strategy
• Relationship between Cloud & SOA
• Exercise: Application consolidation & migration with Cloud Computing

IAAS: Strategies & Caveats

• Options
• Strategies
• Key players

PAAS: Strategies & Caveats

• Options
• Strategies
• Key players
• Case Study: Amazon Web Services

SAAS: Strategies & Caveats

• Options
• Strategies
• Key players

Cloud Security

• Authentication and authorization
• Encryption and privacy
• Data remanence
• Data reliability

Cloud Governance

• Governance challenges
• Extending SOA governance to the Cloud
• Auditing and visibility
• Cloud governance pitfalls
• Exercise: Cloud Governance

Big Data & The Cloud

• The Big Data challenge
• MapReduce & Hadoop
• BASE and data consistency
• High performance computing in the Cloud

Architecting for Failure

• Cloud realities
• Recovery-oriented computing
• Case Study: reddit

The ZapThink 2020 Vision

• Cloud Computing in context
• The future of the Cloud

Audience
Anyone involved in the IT decision making process can get substantial value from this course. No specific technical knowledge is required. Some of the roles that will feel comfortable in this course include:

• Enterprise Architect
• IT Manager
• CIO
• IT Strategist
• Technical Architect
• Infrastructure Architect
• IT Consultant
• Solution Architect
• Infrastructure Manager
• Operations Manager