Comments on: Cloud Portability – On Getting Data Out

By: 9 Tech Bloggers Who Can Teach You Something – Symform

9 Tech Bloggers Who Can Teach You Something – Symform — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:32:04 +0000

[...] especially interested in Kepes’ reviews of the potential and limitations of cloud services. Follow Diversity Limited for spot-on cloud (and other tech) [...]

By: Who’s Who in Cloud October 19, 2012 « Gathering Clouds

Who’s Who in Cloud October 19, 2012 « Gathering Clouds — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:30:22 +0000

[...] Ben Kepes Cloud Portability - on getting data out. [...]

By: Hazel Jennings

Hazel Jennings — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:30:53 +0000

I’m working with two “cloud database” suppliers at this moment who do include contractual provision for their client’s exit strategy; both in terms of data availability and format. What is less certain is what happens if these suppliers fail. Despite what the contract says about clients owning their data. The practicalities of getting at your data when dealing with receivers and other creditors may take longer to sort out than business continuity allows.

Whatever the technology is used organisations need to manage their data risks. Ensuing data policies are in place and tested is a governance responsibility analogous to ensure there are robust financial controls in place. It’s a shame boards do not give it as much attention. But then I suspect they don’t usually have the skills avaialable to do so. The IT profession needs to step up.

By: Chris H

Chris H — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:07:33 +0000

Just as important is the format that the data is presented on export for instance in, table relationships in the case of database migration. These are questions most often never asked at the outset but result in a lot of time spent to migrate to a new product. Some big cloud based database vendors, conveniently it seems, leverage this to disuade people moving to competitors offerings.

By: Bill Bennett

Bill Bennett — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:09:08 +0000

I’ve wondered about this from a slightly different point of view: ideally cloud contracts would include clauses about these end-of-term arrangements. Does this actually happen in practice?