Asia’s cloud readiness measured

The Asia Cloud Computing Association last month launched a “Cloud Readiness Index” to track the region’s cloud adoption progress. The Index studies a spectrum of cloud computing-based infrastructures and services. By mapping the conditions and criteria required for successful implementation and uptake, the Association aims to identify potential bottlenecks that could slow cloud computing adoption.

The new “Cloud Readiness Index” analyses 10 key attributes critical to the deployment and use of cloud computing technology across 14 different countries/cities: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. The 10 attributes The 10 attributes included in the first release are: 1. Regulatory conditions: License requirement of cloud services and data centre, intellectual property protection, lawful intercept for cloud content. 2 . Inter nat i o n a l connectivity: Bandwidth available for International connectivity; combined with the reciprocal of price per Gbps. 3. Data protection policy: a survey on whether cloud providers are free from laws that penalise based on nationality, and whether there are laws that protect user data disclosure. 4. Broadband quality: Combining the broadband quality score (up/down/ latency) with broadband penetration figures for each country. 5. Government prioritisation: Combination of government ICT prioritisation, cloud RFI/ RFP. 6. Power grid quality: Electricity supplies that are free of interruptions and shortages so that cloud services are delivered unimpeded. 7. Internet filtering: Incoming filtering of content, freedom of content flow without tariff and net neutrality policy in place. 8. Business efficiency index: Based on five factors: productivity, labour market, finance, management practices, and attitudes and values. 9. Global risk: Seven key risk areas: macroeconomic; security; governance; resource security; climate; pandemics; societal resilience. 10. ICT development: 11 ICT indicators are included in the ICT Development Index (grouped by the three sub-indices: access, use, and skills). The Cloud Readiness Index is based on the study of the 14 APAC markets above that brings together current and public data from sources such as World Economic Forum (WEF), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Business Software Alliance (BSA), Oxford University, International Institute Management Development, Maplecroft Global Risk Atlas and Fault Lines, Telegeography and members of As ia Cloud Computing Association. The Association plans to include this next set of attributes in the next six months: Government cloud incentives; Environmental risks; Green regulations for data centres; Ecosystem development and Local vs. global provider level playing field Bernie Trudel, Chairman of Asia Cloud Computing Association and Cloud CTO at Cisco APAC, said the new index will be particularly relevant to governments as they are charged with creating the conditions for success – in their countries, around the region and across the globe. “National public policy makers are starting to understand the benefits of this new IT delivery model and how it can make their countries more competitive. “However, they might not necessarily yet understand the issues that underpin cloud computing, or the impact that policy decisions, such as data privacy or intellectual property protection, can have on the success or otherwise of cloud computing,” Trudel said. The Association also launched a Cloud Map to illustrate the graphically current state of the cloud debate – charting and analysing the issues, the stakeholders and influencers and how the debate is developing.