Nothing changes overnight in IT. Even organizations on the cutting edge tend to cautiously adopt new technologies. Heck, they are doing this with Windows 7 even though we’ve all been running Windows since the early 1990s.

The same holds true for cloud computing. Yes, cloud is the “new new thing” to quote Michael Lewis and it does have the potential to radically alter the way applications are written, deployed, operated, and managed. That said, expect a slow, steady migration like all other IT transitions.

The State of Michigan is a great example of this mindset. Michigan is a leader in the transition to cloud computing and state CIO Ken Theis has been a visible public sector cloud evangelist. Michigan is also in the process of building the technology foundation for cloud computing: a new 100,000 square foot data center and a statewide fiber network.

And yet, with all of this activity, the state is being extremely deliberate in its cloud computing deployment. The initial pilot is really focused on a subset of a subset of cloud computing: cloud-based storage capacity. Cloud storage is offered to local governments, universities, and departments for non-sensitive data. The state department of transportation is a prime consumer of this service.

Michigan wants to have five to eight services running by the end of the month. Eventually, it will offer many more services, compete with public sector options, and create a chargeback system for its cloud consumers. The goal? Improve automation and data sharing across the state while lowering costs.

Michigan is well aware of the security holes in cloud computing today, so it will stick with non-sensitive applications and data for now while it watches cloud’s progress.

With this plan, is Michigan really a cloud visionary? I believe it is, but Theis is also being prudent and patient as well. To paraphrase Alexander Pope, “fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.” Michigan may be taking its time, but it is learning lessons and gaining experience now so it can improve services and cut costs sooner rather than later.

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3. Education Will Take A Leadership Role in Cloud Computing
4. Federal Cloud Computing? Not so Fast!
5. Brookings Institute Study Indicates Real Savings from Cloud Computing

Tags: Cloud Computing, Ken Theis, Michigan