Tao and The Art of Cloud

Being new to the study of Tao Te Ching, I am thrilled when I finally understand it enough to apply it to my everyday life. I embrace the words and roll them around in my head over and over like a wine lover swirls a glass of Cabernet to bring out the bouquet of the wine. I find myself indulging in deep thought and enjoying the solitude and silence that comes with meditation.


So what in the world does Tao have to do with cloud computing? Read on! The Lao Tsu wrote: " Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore, profit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there." As a Solution Provider for Managed and Cloud Services, I am uncovering many times throughout the day just how the Cloud is useful and helps my clients gain more productivity and profit. It is by that space which is created in the " holes and windows " .

A recent example from a customer: What to do when you have a repetitious and cumbersome task like having multiple employees logging in multiple times a day to various FTP sites to view critical information like drawings and blueprints. Over and over, each user gets frustrated trying to remember the array of sites and logins and commands. Invariably the IT staff has to help out and the calls are all the same. "I can't login" , or "the site is down" or "I can't find what I am looking for.". Answer: When the Cloud environment can deliver a custom solution to meet every one's needs and streamline the process, it is making space that is useful. What can be produced is a customized interface with a wonderful new productive environment for all who now interact with these drawings and blueprints. Hours of wasted time and productivity eliminated and sanity increased!

The same can be done with backup and recovery- doing the same process over and over with volumes of wasted time and storage space. Taking it to the Cloud, a more secure and streamlined process delivers increased redundancy, security and streamlined processes. Another scenario invovled one large cellular carrier who took to the Cloud with us. They now have specific areas where there is consistent high traffic identified (Sports arenas) and we designed a custom solution. Now they are able to offload to strategic servers and maximize the experience of their cellular data network users.

Like the spokes on a wheel, there is the hub at the center that makes it all useful. I can see where the Cloud can serve so many with such a variety of applications and needs, and ultimately deliver what everyone is seeking. Inner Peace, and increased profitability of course!