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Department of Defense Partners with HP for Private Cloud Management Services

When it comes to cloud computing, network systems that support desktops, VoIP handsets, voicemail, fax, email, IM, conferencing, and computing systems, to name a few, can now have a single-point of access to better accommodate businesses and users. Ultimately, with the integration of all these tools, it becomes easier for IT to manage them. When you consider the US Army, one could see the possibilities for application of these types of toolsets.

Recently, Hewlett-Packard was awarded a partial contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to build a private cloud network. Private cloud computing is an attractive option for many organizations for whom public cloud computing offerings may not yet be viable. Choosing when to provide or consume a cloud service is the latest iteration of the evergreen question of "build versus buy."

In the case of HP and the DOD, the issue could never be more relevant because the Army Private Cloud Contract (APC2) is valued at $250 million. As part of the contract, HP will work with military defense contractors Northrop Grumann and General Dynamics (News - Alert).

In general, cloud computing is a technology architecture capable of integrating legacy and existing communication systems with newer, innovative productivity tools to deliver communication capabilities across multiple applications and devices. It offers a single, unified cloud management solution for all kinds of communications, from fax, video and email systems to mobile and smart devices. The mobility aspect is an attractive element of private cloud computing to the army.

The rationale behind this contract is quick deployment and scale and to increase cost savings. Cloud services tend to be cheaper to run than legacy systems, but the value-add for the army is the mobile data centers. HP’s line of mobile data centers, the Performance Optimized Datacenter (POD) can be quickly deployed and scaled when needed. PODs are used mainly to add quick, short-term capacity to existing data centers or to get the cloud services running quickly during operations. This could be especially important in terms of getting IT operations running on the field or during overseas operations. In terms of cloud fortification, Northrop Grumann would be brought in to address cyber security issues and keep cyber attacks at bay while General Dynamics will work with HP on integrating the cloud with the army’s current systems.

Edited by Carrie Schmelkin

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