Ron Porter (5/2/2011)
That said, I can see value in pushing the data and even the applications to auto-scaling, available-from-anywhere systems. I can see value in packaging everything it takes to do so in a way that abstracts away the gritty details. I can see value in letting people smarter and more skilled than I am configure the hardware, software, delivery mechanisms, recovery mechanisms, etc.I look at some of this the way I look at driverless cars. As much as I like driving, if letting the computer take over reduces the risk, I'll let the computer drive. If an actual risk analysis shows that risk is reduced by 'going cloud', then I'll recommend that.
Years ago there was a retailer of electronics that sold a huge number of warranty contracts. People spent millions of dollars on them. The company, the name of which I can't recall right now, went out of business.
What happened to all of those warranties? Why they were useless of course. How can you get an out of business company with no brick and mortar locations to repair or replace the failed product you purchased?
They too thought that the simple act of reducing risk was a good thing. You just can't measure things that way. Reducing risk A by $5000 while increasing risk B by $5,000,000 is very bad.
Dave