CLOUD 1.0

This link is to an article I published in Feb 2010. It was the first generation of a multi-user, high performance workstation suitable for architecture, engineering, mechanical design, or other application that needs a high performance desktop.  Cloud 1.0 technology is characterized as a shared, physical workstation that is accessible over high-speed networks using RDP (remote desktop protocol).  RDP is good, but you can not run every application with an outstanding experience.  I'm guessing that maybe only 90% of applications can be run over an RDP connection.  But hey at the time, 90% was better than 0%.

Once I saw that we could move these types of workstations into a datacenter, I realized we were at the beginning of a new chapter in IT.  Recall IT Law #2, "Centralize when you can, distribute when you have to".  Well now what we used to distribute, we can now centralize.  And this will change how IT infrastructures are built and operated.

Here's the link to my article describing "Cloud 1.0" technology:
http://www.aecbytes.com/feature/2010/BIM_Cloud.html

CLOUD 2.0

Well like all good IT systems, we're now deploying "Cloud 2.0" technology.  In our first generation high performance cloud,  This version really set out to solve the 10% problem.  The 10% of applications that will NOT run over RDP, we still need a solution for.  That solution will change and improve, but right now our Cloud 2.0 is built on the PCoIP protocol invented by Teradici.  This allows us to run virtually all applications we need to over a remote connection.  This makes totally centralized IT more affordable and practical.  I thought to myself, if we can move all these desktops into a datacenter, then the only think I need at a local office is a laptop (or other cloud access device like an Ipad), switches, network connection, phone handset, and printers/copiers.  All the heavy IT infrastructure (and engineers) can be centrally located in or near the data center.  The more a business is distributed, when they move to centralization, the savings can be staggering.  In this next article, I talk about the "Economics of Private Cloud Computing".  Now a firm can begin an IT centralization strategy built on Cloud 2.0 technology.

http://www.aecbytes.com/feature/2011/BIM_Cloud_Economics.html

CLOUD 3.0

Are we done now?  Nope.  Cloud 3.0 is in the works.  Advance2000 (www.advance2000.com) is a private cloud provider.  Imagine what it will be like when multiple business partners have THEIR private cloud in OUR datacenter.  We have an ecosystem forming.   An building owner could be in there as well as their architects and consultants.  Today, we pass large amounts of data around at internet speeds (maybe your office has a good 10mb connection).  What if you are passing information to a business partner that happens to be in our datacenter?  You will be able to pass that information at 10 gigabit switch speeds over the "Advance2000 Internet".  If customer "A" wants to move a gigabit file to customer "B", then that data can move moved within the datacenter at 10+gb speeds rather than the 10mb connection you have in your office.  It will still be secure as it's passing through the existing internet and other security protocols, it just gets moved "inside the building" before it has to enter the on-ramp to the internet.

This ecosystem is developing now and we are adding to this platform.  We are dropping in service providers that can assist customers.  If you are a building owner with your architect in the same cloud, there are "BIM outsourcing providers" that are also in the cloud to faciltate projects.  What we did in our local offices, we are able to do at the global, transcontinental scale projects now.

I'll be working on a Cloud 3.0 case study in the coming months.  Stay tuned!