CSC, a company that specializes in providing technology solutions for businesses, has acquired ServiceMesh a company that allows for customers to mix and match services from different cloud computing providers. ServiceMesh offers a central management system for heterogeneous cloud solutions. The move advocates the idea of the Hybrid Cloud in which customers are not limited to a single cloud solution. Such a solution would allow for customers to buy the best available SaaS service to meet their business needs while not being locked into the IaaS service from the same provider.
CSC is more focused on how a hybrid cloud will be advantageous to businesses. However the idea of a hybrid cloud could provide advantages to scientific computing as well. Combining the best cloud infrastructure and software solutions could allow scientists to create an optimal cloud environment with the solutions that best meet their computational requirements. In addition, the ability to combine solutions could drive competition between cloud providers. Having a top of the line SaaS solution or IaaS will no longer be enough to attract customers in a hybrid model, thus forcing providers to constantly improve their product. What are your thoughts on how a hybrid cloud model with a central management system could impact data science in the future?
Check out the links to the press release from CSC and an article below!
http://gigaom.com/2013/10/30/multi-cloud-mania-drives-csc-to-buy-servicemesh/
UM Honors 352: Cyberscience, Fall 2013 