HP Sharpens Private Cloud Claws

In a bid to show it hasn't fallen behind the pack when it comes to cloud computing, HP this week revealed plans to launch a set of self-assessment tools for customers to determine their cloud readiness. The tech giant also amassed a crew of cloud advisors to help shape its cloud plan of attack.

HP's push for private clouds comes as it prepares for a host of cloud-focused announcements and a cloud computing boot camp at VMworld in San Francisco next month.

First, HP designed what it calls a "private cloud scorecard" that lets companies rate and rank key factors that will help determine how ready they are to take on the cloud. The scorecard consists of a series of questions to gauge cloud readiness, including internal knowledge of cloud concepts and services and existing cloud security capabilities, among others.

Along with helping companies prepare for the cloud and determining where they stand, HP has comprised a group of cloud experts to lead its charge into the private cloud. Dubbed the HP Cloud Advisors, HP has brought together a team of experts it calls "pioneers in cloud computing" to drive innovations and assist with advanced cloud deployments.

HP's team of Cloud Advisors includes Nigel Cook, HP technology director and strategist, who spearheaded the DMTF (distributed management task force) Cloud Management Working Group and played a role in the DMTF Cloud Incubator that examined technology and use cases for interoperability between data centers and Infrastructure-as-a-Service; Jamie Erbes, CTO of Software and Solutions at HP, a cloud expert and driving force behind HP's IT management software strategy; Archie Read, HPs cloud strategy security lead; Lee Kedrie, a brand officer and evangelist for Technology Consulting at HP; Paul Perez, HP's storage chief technologist; and Mark Shoemaker, a 20-year veteran with experience in cloud service management, cloud automation, virtualization, standards and the public versus private clouds.