Cloud: Proceed with Caution
As part of my work and investigation on the
possibilities of deploying enterprise content management in the cloud, I heard from Curt Finch, CEO of Journyx, a project management software vendor, on things companies need to know about cloud deployments.
For more details on the cloudification of ECM, see my two-part series published here at TechTarget’s ebizQ site. Part 1 surveys the cloud ECM landcape, and in Part 2, I speak with leading analysts.
Q: Is cloud-based ECM something that organizations are already doing?
Curt Finch: Yes, but mostly this is true with startups or VC backed firms. Some B2C operations, like restaurants, have their web page on Facebook now instead of having their own site.
Q: Will some ECM services be leveraged through public clouds, or is this mainly a private cloud play?
Finch: It’s possible but the only advantage I can see is if you expect massive peak load spikes, like with the Superbowl or something like a natural disaster.
Q: Are there security implications to public or private ECM adoption — or regulatory barriers?
Finch: If you trust the cloud vendor — such as Amazon — then there aren’t really any security implications. But do you know for sure you can trust the cloud vendor?
Q: Will content remain on local systems, or will that also be moved to the cloud?
Finch: It would seem sensible to either move all of it or none at all.
Q: Does cloud offer the possibility for more widespread ECM adoption?
Finch: Perhaps. Complex systems are better managed by their writers, like Vignette.
Q: Will it truly put the “E” in ECM?
Finch: It’s doubtful. The cultural and organizational impediments won’t change, will they?
Q: What aspects of ECM are more likely to see cloud adoption — records management, digital asset management, workflow documents or others?
Finch: I believe it will be public web site management and document management.
Q: Are there areas of ECM that are not as well-suited for the cloud?
Finch: Data that is encumbered by regulatory compliance such as HIPAA or the financial industry.
Q: Does cloud ECM change the way content management is governed?
Finch: It lessens the involvement of intransigent IT managers — as they are often viewed by executives.
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