As of 2014, it will be considerably easier to obtain services from the data cloud thanks to the "DBCE Marketplace" at the German stock exchange.
Gaining an overview of the cloud service market to buy what you really need is still a time and cost-intensive undertaking. This is all going to change as of Q1 2014 when the Deutsche Börse Cloud Exchange (DBCE) starts trading in IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) resources. Specifically, the first step involves offering storage and computing services, i.e. storage capacity and computing power. Buyers can choose from various contract periods, volumes, places of delivery and jurisdictions where data is stored. The platform is also appealing to public administration offices and research facilities that require IT resources for a certain period of time or want to sell excess capacity. Among the partners of this internationally independent and neutral "Cloud Marketplace" are renowned companies such as Equinix, Host Europe, T-Systems and other domestic and international companies. Experts expect additional positive impetus for the cloud computing market because the trading platform allays any fears previously held: all providers undergo a certification procedure designed by TÜV Rheinland in cooperation with Deutsche Börse. Buyers can expect high levels of quality and reliability from the cloud service provider.
New standards
In addition, DBCE will also standardize contractual conditions, processes and billing procedures in such a way that allows the customer to compare large numbers of providers, creating a new level of transparency with prices updated daily. Against this background, analysts expect long-term cost reductions and interesting new price models. The units of the service can be scaled as desired, so that even small providers and buyers are able to enter the cloud marketplace – more quickly, more flexibly and in better quality than ever before.
Cloud Wiki: What is...?
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Software as a Service – The most common form of cloud computing: software in the form of programs or services is not sold to the user as a license; instead the user approves the software via the browser as necessary; the service can be expanded at any time. The model is also referred to as software on demand. Typical examples: Google Docs and Google Mail, Microsoft Office, the Adobe Creative Cloud, Salesforce and virus scanners.
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Infrastructure as a Service – This includes the provision of resources such as computers, networks or storage. An IaaS lets users freely choose their own virtual computer clusters. Users are therefore responsible for the selection, installation, operation and functioning of their software. Examples: Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and the Sun Cloud.
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Platform as a Service – Allows companies to rent a computer infrastructure as required; the server is no longer located on the company's premises, but at the cloud service provider's. This form of cloud computing is used mainly by companies who develop their own software applications. The advantage: highly flexible and dynamically adjustable computing and data capacity. Example: the web operating system Google Chrome.
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A private cloud is fully operated by a company. It is accessed via the company's own intranet and controlled by login and authentication. The private cloud is tailored to the requirements of the company. Reasons for operating a private data cloud: a higher degree of control over data security and data storage.
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A mixture of a private cloud and a public cloud. Certain services are called up from public providers via the Internet; sensitive applications or data are operated and processed within the company. The challenge lies in consistently classifying and separating the data to be processed and the business processes into critical and non-critical.
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