July 2011: The Naming of Parts
Eight years ago, while working on Hedge Fund and Investment Technology, one of Waters’ sibling publications, I wrote an editor’s letter, One day all technology will be delivered this way, in which I predicted that by 2015, all software consumed by buy-side firms would be provided on an application software provider (ASP) basis. Both Stewart Eisenhart, my deputy at the time, and I felt that, despite people’s insistence that taking the ASP route would expose their firms unnecessarily to data loss issues and reliability would wane, the ASP model would come to dominate software provision because the advantages were too compelling to ignore. I think it’s fair to say that, given the success of the ASP model over the years, people’s concerns have turned out to be more apocryphal than accurate.
And so, with all this hype around cloud, I feel somewhat vindicated, although certain cloud proponents would argue that cloud is not ASP and vice-versa, to which I would respond that cloud is simply the evolutionary offspring of the original ASP model.
In this month’s column, Max Bowie addresses this issue of semantics and interpretation head-on by asking the question: “When is a cloud not a cloud?” That’s a pertinent point to which you’re likely to hear a mosaic of answers depending on who you ask. And, given the fact that clouds now come in variety of shapes and sizes—private and virtual-private clouds, public clouds and any number of hybrid clouds—exactly what it is that qualifies a cloud to be a cloud is a bit, well, nebulous.
Max continues by explaining that some see cloud solutions simply as hosted services, while others contend that “it’s only truly cloud if it’s on-demand.” Again, that’s a fair point, but I can’t help but feel that we’re heading toward a scenario where consumers don’t care about the pigeon-hole in which their service provider has chosen to reside. That’s inconsequential to the quality of the service on offer, as are the nationality of the provider and the location of its datacenters. What’s far more important is quality, reliability, flexibility and responsiveness of the services on offer. After all, an ASP by any other name is still an ASP, right?
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@waterstechnology.com or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.waterstechnology.com/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@waterstechnology.com to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@waterstechnology.com to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Printing this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@waterstechnology.com
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Copying this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@waterstechnology.com
More on Emerging Technologies
Nasdaq reshuffles tech divisions post-Adenza
Adenza is now fully integrated into the exchange operator’s ecosystem, bringing opportunities for new business and a fresh perspective on how fintech fits into its strategy.
Liquidnet sees electronic future for gray bond trading
TP Icap’s gray market bond trading unit has more than doubled transactions in the first quarter of 2024.
Verafin launches genAI copilot for fincrime investigators
Features include document summarization and improved research tools.
Waters Wrap: Open source and storm clouds on the horizon
Regulators and politicians in America and Europe are increasingly concerned about AI—and, by extension, open-source development. Anthony says there are real reasons for concern.
Waters Wavelength Podcast: Broadridge’s Joseph Lo on GPTs
Joseph Lo, head of enterprise platforms at Broadridge, joins the podcast to discuss AI tools.
Man Group CTO eyes ‘significant impact’ for genAI across the fund
Man Group’s Gary Collier discussed the potential merits of and use cases for generative AI across the business at an event in London hosted by Bloomberg.
BNY Mellon deploys Nvidia DGX SuperPOD, identifies hundreds of AI use cases
BNY Mellon says it is the first bank to deploy Nvidia’s AI datacenter infrastructure, as it joins an increasing number of Wall Street firms that are embracing AI technologies.
This Week: Linedata acquires DreamQuark, Tradeweb, Rimes, Genesis, and more
A summary of some of the latest financial technology news.
Most read
- Chris Edmonds takes the reins at ICE Fixed Income and Data Services
- Deutsche Börse democratizes data with Marketplace offering
- Waters Wavelength Podcast: Broadridge’s Joseph Lo on GPTs