Cloud computing is the latest buzz word and in true IT style, we have invented a raft of TLA’s to explain what it is (and isn’t) as well as a myriad of versions to confuse people even more.
PaaS, IaaS, SaaS, DaaS, public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, BIaaS,
How do you explain you explain cloud to a person with a business bent not a technical bent?
For me I say:
It’s a way to get access to IT systems immediately without the need to wait months for things to be delivered and installed.
It’s a way to turn IT systems off when you want to and not have things you paid a lot of money for sitting around not being used.
It’s a way to pay only for what you use, when you use it.
It’s a way for you to get your IT systems to do more or go faster when you need to, without the need to wait.
It’s a way for you to get your IT systems to do less or go slower when you don’t need them to go fast, so you can save money.
Cloud Computing
It allows you to do things faster, when you need to.
Shane, in keeping with the wet and foggy nature of a cloud, none of the acronyms you listed were TLA’s. They are all GEFLA’s. Acronyms (regardless of the number of letters) work because they encapsulate a more complex idea into a simple, memorable set of letters that express the idea so well. One of the most famous is “FUBAR” which became so entrenched in the vernacular, that it is now often written as “foobar” which misses the point altogether.
What you are doing with your statements of what “cloud” is simply moves the focus from the technical, platform level to expressions of a number of value propositions.
An electric impact drill can be expressed in complicated technical terms or as
“a way to create holes in concrete after it has set”
There are lots of technical things that can and probably should be described in the way you have shown here. What the person paying the bill needs to be clear about is that in simplifying the language and description, the vendor may just be exposing you to risk, either intentionally or unintentionally.