Dec 2005
Report Eight: Grid Computing – Where Are We with Utility Computing?

Most IT vendors and enterprise early adopters view grids and the attributes that give grid computing its meaning – virtualization, resource reallocation, automation and self-management – as providing a technology underpinning for new kinds of IT resource procurement, delivery, usage and management models within enterprise organizations. Among these, service-oriented architectures and utility models are the most evident. Nearly all vendors are pushing some concept of utility computing with grid technology under the hood; however, utility computing is not just around the corner, despite what many IT vendors might indicate. Current adoption is still at a very early stage, and utility computing means different things to vendors and enterprise early adopters, depending on whose interests are being served. Yet 451 analysts believe the use of grids to support utility and service models within enterprises – as shared internal utilities – represents the key to understanding early adoption across this market.

This eighth report in the 451 Grid Adoption Research Service examines the offerings and strategies of key IT vendors – including their pricing, metering and management mechanisms. It also looks at the various approaches they are taking to help enterprises overcome the challenges and barriers they face in successfully implementing managed utility services within their organizations. In addition, the report assesses, from the early adopters' point of view, what their needs are and whether they are indeed getting a 'utility' service. It highlights the experiences of organizations that are deploying managed services using grids, their willingness to use outsourced services, and the obstacles and challenges they face with utility computing offerings, as well as their expected future usage.

> Early-adopter case studies: CDO2, Deluxe Labs, Digital Ribbon, HSBC, OHM, Prediction and Turbine.

> Vendor assessments: AT&T, CSC, EDS, Evident Software, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, LeCayla, Oracle, RenderRocket, Savvis, Sun Microsystems, T-Systems and Wipro.

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About The 451 Group

The 451 Group is an independent technology industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The company’s analysts provide critical and timely insight into the market and competitive dynamics of innovation in emerging technology segments. Clients of the company – at vendor, investor, service- provider and end-user organizations – rely on 451 insight to support both strategic and tactical decision-making for competitive advantage.

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