Book excerpt: GovCloud - Book Synopsis & Review The Essential Desk Reference and Guide for Managers"GovCloud is the book we have all been waiting for. We are all using the term Cloud Computing but till now we did not have a common frame of reference to help us maximize this important construct. IT professionals know you do not build anything without a plan and this book offers the blueprints and guidelines you need in order to accelerate your movement to the cloud."Bob Gourley, Former CTO Defense Intelligence Agency, Founder and CTO of Crucial Point LLC.The United States Government is the world's largest consumer of information technology, spending over $76 billion annually on more than 10,000 different systems. Fragmentation of systems, poor project execution, and the drag of legacy technology in the Federal Government have presented barriers to achieving the productivity and performance gains found when technology is deployed effectively in the private sectors.All that is about to change as the Obama Administration obliges federal departments to look to Cloud computing to cut costs and solve many of the problems that have plagued IT deployment for decades. The problem, however, is how do federal IT managers and those controlling the budgets go about deciding what is best for them.The answer is GovCloud: Cloud Computing for the Business of Government, a new book written by Kevin Jackson, an acknowledged international expert in this arena.With writer Don Philpott, he has created an easy to understand five step process that explains what cloud computing is all about and what are the best options to meet your particular needs. It discusses in detail all the latest developments in this area from administration requirements to the search for industry-wide standards.Information technology should enable government to better serve the American people. But despite spending more than $600 billion on information technology over the past decade, the Federal Government has achieved little of the productivity improvements that private industry has realized from IT, said Jackson.Too often, Federal IT projects run over budget, behind schedule, or fail to deliver promised functionality. Many projects use "grand design" approaches that aim to deliver functionality every few years, rather than breaking projects into more manageable chunks and demanding new functionality every few quarters. In addition, the Federal Government too often relies on large, custom, proprietary systems when "light technologies" or shared services exist.The book describes the key characteristics of cloud computing and various deployment and delivery models. It contains case studies and best practices, how to set and meet goals, how to implement and use cloud computing and how to make sure it is working.Apart from increased efficiency, one of the major benefits of cloud computing is cost savings and there are worksheets on key performance indicators, return on investment cost and time indicator ratios and savings models.It is packed with practical tips, checklists and unique templates that can be used to design and implement cloud computing to meet agency specific needs. There is also a detailed glossary for those not familiar with cloud computing terms.Whether you are an IT manager tasked with developing an agency-wide cloud computing plan or a senior manager responsible for IT budgets, this is a reference book you cannot afford to be without.Reviews and Comments from Readers:- "I wrote in my book, Enterprise Cloud Computing, "In Switzerland, the famous Matterhorn casts a shadow over the town of Zermatt below. The cemetery at the foot of the mountain is a warning to those who would proceed up the steep slopes. Early pioneers who had neither maps nor guides are buried there, along with the primitive tools they thought were up to the task. Today, Swiss law prohibits the inexperienced from climbing the steep slopes without a guide. Today's business and technology professionals tasked with adopting cloud computing should heed the message sent down from the Matterhorn: A guide is needed to survive the journey ahead." Jackson and Philpott''s GovCloud is your guide to cloud computing for the business of government." - Peter FingarPeter Fingar is a Business Strategy Adviser and Author of Dot.Cloud: The 21st Century Business Platform, and Enterprise Cloud Computing. (www.peterfingar.com)"From 375 Cloud Musings since May 2008 to a 244 page book in February 2011, Kevin Jackson and his word processor must never sleep! The table of contents, which is really a taxonomy of Government Cloud Computing, is worth the price of the book alone. I highly recommend this excellent resource for both those new and experienced in this exciting new field. Well done, Kevin!" - Brand NiemanBrand L. Niemann recently retired from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Computer Scientist and XML and Web Services Specialist in the Office of Environmental Information. He has received awards and recognitions for his work from the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the US Geological Survey, LOTUS, and ComputerWorld-Smithsonian."A very practical guide and a must-read for every government CIO and CTO." - Bob FloresBob Flores is the Founder, President, and CEO of Applicology Incorporated, an independent consulting firm specializing in information technology issues. Prior to this, Bob spent 31 years at the Central Intelligence Agency. While at CIA, Bob held various positions in the Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Support, and the National Clandestine Service. Toward the end of his career, Bob spent three years as the CIO's Chief Technology Officer where he was responsible for ensuring that the Agency's technology investments matched the needs of its mission. During this time Bob was also the Agency's representative on several government-wide information sharing committees and councils.- "Every Federal agency should approach cloud computing with a focus on improving mission execution and extending the value of critical Enterprise investments. 'GovCloud' provides excellent guidance for this important transition".Jody Tedesco, President & CEO, NJVC