More clouds in the sky

When we talk about cloud computing we make an assumption that that the cloud satisfies all our needs for functionality. In terms of current cloud-capability this is not the case. For example Basecamp is a successful cloud-based system for tracking project progress. Basecamp’s creators, 37 Signals, have a design goal of not adding extraneous functionality to Basecamp. As a result Basecamp cannot satisfy everybody all of the time; although it does satisfy most of the people most of the time.

What does this mean for cloud-based project tracking solutions? We’d like a cloud-based system but we need extra functionality to fill the gaps we cannot obtain from Common-Of-The-Shelf (COTS) cloud services.

One solution is to use an Augmentation Server (AS). An AS integrates with existing services and refines and/or adds extra functionality. Conceptually this would look like a layered service with the COTS on the bottom, AS in the middle and our clients on the top. Our AS may communicate with more than one COTS service to deliver the functionality we want.

Augmentation Servers will become a greater part of the cloud space; possibly out-numbering COTS cloud services. Implementing AS poses numerous technical challenges and existing web-application platforms may not have all the answers we need.

Take a look at your current cloud-service use and ask yourself these questions:

What COTS cloud services meet your needs?
What extra functionality do you want?
How will you implement the extra functionality?