Let's start private (cloud)

In my old post "Cloud is not an option", I simply described why adopting a cloud architecture is key to address new business needs.
I also emphasized that cloud does not mean only public cloud.
Let me now spend few words, to better explain why and how all the organization can start benefit the cloud approach implementing a private cloud.

Private cloud is a type of cloud computing that delivers the same basic benefits of public cloud. These include, under an unified management tool, self-service and scalability: multi-tenancy, the ability to provision virtual machines, changing computing resources on-demand and creating multiple machines for complex computing jobs, such as big data, IoT, etc.. Charge-back tools track computing usage, and internal business units can pay only for the resources they use.
In addition, private cloud offers services behind a firewall, so it minimizes the security concerns some organizations have around cloud and also gives companies direct control over their data.
Private cloud can growth, letting an organization to use a mix of a private and public cloud services, developing an hybrid cloud. This allows to scale computing requirements beyond the private cloud into the public cloud (a capability called cloud bursting).

As a result, private cloud is the best solution for businesses with dynamic or unpredictable computing needs (I think most of the organizations are, or should be, in this category...) that require direct control over their environments.
This “cloud approach” will also help the IT department transform themselves into a real business enabler, a sort of internal service provider, that can respond easily and fast to new business demand with lower costs.
I really think this is the biggest challenge for the many organizations, they need to give a new modern approach to the ICT department, leverage existing internal competencies and driving businesses into digital.

Finally, an easy spot :-) Oracle has a unique comprehensive solution to fast implement and manage a private cloud. To better understand you can spend 4 min to see this video related to the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance.