Computing Arbitrage: The new horizon of business models for cloud computing

Murky clouds, murkier computing

This is my first post related to a research area that I am pursuing quite vigorously these days. It has to do with cloud computing. Cloud computing has come along way now and has established itself as an active area of research. So the next big thing to happen for cloud computing must be cloud centric business models. Let’s have a look at some of the cloud computing business models that are likely to go mainstream in coming years. I spent some time thinking about it and here is the first cloud specific business model:

Computing arbitrage: One of the most innovative and impressive business models that I have studied so far. Putting in a nutshell, companies will buy bandwidth at wholesale arte and resell it to other companies for their specific needs. For example, Peekfon solved the problem of expensive roaming for the consumers in Eurpoe by buying data bandwidth in bulk and slice-it-and-dice-it to sell it to the customers. A truly classic market oriented model involving price negotiations, marketing and packaging requirements. Another aspect is the use of data compression for the purpose of bandwidth optimization.

When talking of cloud computing business models, we have to make sure that a balanced tradeoff exists between users needs for elastic computing as well as their demands for an assured fixed long term service delivery. So the need for computing arbitrage becomes quite clear. However, we can’t ignore another aspect of this whole scene. As the requirements of cloud users become more and more defined, the number of companies providing cloud services keeping a balanced tradeoff will keep on getting smaller and smaller as immature and inexperienced players will be pruned out. The danger I am visualizing is that we may be heading towards a sequel of “dot com” boom and bust. The scenario though quite far fetched now is not too unrealistic as well. All of this however, augurs well for companies that currently have a portfolio of cloud management tools or are "cloud SI".

Pakistan plane crash: 152 killed in plane crash - latimes.com

Pakistan plane crash: 152 killed in plane crash - latimes.com

Which path have we lead ourselves to?

Here?

and Here?

I generally don't consider myself as a pessimist and on several occasions, I have heard myself cursing media for all the negativism that we see in our society. But fact of the matter is that this negativity is not unrealistic. It is there and it is real and it is growing. We have led ourselves on a path that leads towards nothing but destruction. We are becoming more and more self-centric, self-contradictory and hapless. I usually just listen such music as I am presenting to you now. But today, I am not just listening.........For your "ears" and "eyes" only.....God help you if you also take it for your "mind".....

Noon Meem Rashed

zindagii se Darate ho
zindagii to tum bhii ho, zindagii to ham bhii hai.n
aadamii se Darate ho
aadamii to tum bhii ho aadamii to ham bhii hai.n
aadamii zubaa.N bhii hai, aadamii bayaa.N bhii hai
is se tum nahii.n Darate
harf aur maanii ke rishte haaye aahan se aadamii hai vaabastaa
aadamii ke daaman se zindagii hai vaabastaa
is se tum nahii.n Darate
ankahii se Darate ho
jo abhii aa_ii nahii.n us gha.Dii se Darate ho
us gha.Dii ke aane kii aag hii se Darate hi
pahale bhii to guzare hai.n
daur naarasaa_ii ke, beriyaa, Khudaa_ii ke
phir bhii ye samajhate ho, hech aazaruumandii
ye shab zubaa.Nbandii, hai rahe Khudaabandii
tum yahii samajhate ho, tum magar ye kyaa jaano
lab agar nahii.n hilate haath jaag uThate hai.n
haath jaag uThate hai.n raah kaa nishaan ban kar
nuur kii zubaa.N ban kar
haath bol uThate hai.n subah kii azaa.N ban kar
roshanii se Darate ho
roshanii to tum bhii ho, roshanii to ham bhii hai.n
roshanii se Darate ho
shahar kii fasiilo.n par
dev kaa jo saayaa thaa, paak ho gayaa aaKhir
az_dahaam-e-afsaa.N se fard kii navaa aa_ii
zaat kii sadaa aa_ii
raah-e-shauq me.n jaise raah_ravii Khuu.N lapake
ik nayaa junuu.N lapake
aadamii chhalak uThe
aadamii ha.Nse dekho, shahar phir base dekho
tum abhii se Darate ho
haa.N abhii to tum bhii ho, haa.N abhii to ham bhii hai.n
tum abhii se Darate ho

Extension of COAS Pakistan Army

As the fate may have it, my first serious blog post had to do with Pakistan army, an institution, we as a nation have come to both love and loathe. Despite having no doubt about the professional commitment of our chief of army staff, general Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, I doubt his job extension is going to do any good to our national affairs. Contrary to what media is saying, I don't see any strategic advantage achieved during our own two years old war on terror. True that we have gained ground but nothing more than that. And that too with a heavy count of casualties both martyred and injured. And our country is still smoldering from suicide bombings and killings. Baluchistan is still burning with fingers being raised about the role of army and intelligence agencies unfortunately. And above all, sectarian violence has again started to raise its ugly head in Pakistan. I am afraid no one can dare to ask these questions from either our beloved elected government or or heroic COAS.

Does competence justify going against the rules?

But as I said, It is my perspective, second perspective to be precise. Incidentally, the general after this extension is going to stay on helm of affairs even longer than the full term of our own elected government. How is that for "fair opportunity to all" and "right of the worthy" principles.

My journey, My Endeavour

This blog is the chronicle of my journey in search of my roots, my destination and myself. I wish not to miss any milestones that I pass by. Be part of my journey as it crisscrosses through some of the most fascinating times my world and my country has ever seen. Enjoy