Cloud Solutions Architect

1. History of Computing and Cloud Computing

• Pros and cons of utility computing, grid computing and cloud computing
• The shift from virtualization to cloud
• Internet, sustainability, energy awareness and the emergence of tablets and smart devices on business
• Analyzes cloud-related monetization strategies and charging mechanisms

2. Impact of Cloud Computing

• Innovative models and new forms of sourcing in creating cloud solutions
• Key risk, security and legal issues inherent in applying cloud solutions
• Outlines the correct variant architecture solutions in case-study scenarios

3. Technology Engineering of Cloud Computing

• Explain the implications of operating "as a service", factor in the relevant key engineering concepts to architectures
• Paradigm shifts and reference architectures and standards
• Practical difference between resource pooling and load balancing
• Deployment model and service type in a given scenario
• Pros and cons of the differing cloud solution architectures and their features

4. Cloud Computing Solution Architectures

• New cloud-enabled solution models (e.g., composite mash-up web apps, mobile, BYOD, Big Data)
• Deployment channel models (hosting, reselling, management cloud) on architecting cloud solutions
• Architecture options for different sized businesses based on a range of impact factors

5. Cloud Service Life Cycle

• Control and management issues in different cloud deployment solutions
• Cloud life cycles
• Cloud solution characteristics for different deployment solution models

6. Service Transition and Service Transformation

• Key features and issues of "running your business in the cloud" and "running IT as a business"
• Issues involved in certification and accreditation of a cloud solution
• Strategies to maximize the enablers and minimize the barriers of adopting cloud computing as a business option

7. Customer Perspective on Setting Up Cloud Environments

• Business features of a consumer cloud solution architecture
• Prepare and plan a specific consumer cloud environment for a given scenario
• Key steps in setting up a consumer cloud environment

8. Provider Perspective on Setting up Cloud Environments

• Explore the perspective of the cloud provider, take it into account when architecting a cloud environment:
• Key business features of a provider cloud solution architecture
• Specific cloud provider environment for a given scenario
• Key steps in setting up a provider cloud environment

9. Cloud Ecosystem

• Impact of wider concepts such as the "Internet of Things" and the "Internet of Everything" on the process of architecting cloud solutions
• Macro and micro drivers of business and technology ecosystems
• Changes for different stakeholders and investors
• Roles of consumer, provider and intermediary in the context of broader governance and policy

10. Types of XAAS Solutions

• Historical development of cloud computing
• Future path to new cloud ecosystem solutions
• Types of XaaS solutions and service options and how functional and non-functional criteria can be determined
• Available options in XaaS that can be combined in strategic, capability and functional architectures, giving examples by technology and vertical industry exemplars

11. Targeting the Right Solution Architecture

• Key design principles of XaaS and types of deployment scenarios
• Demand, supply and channel profiles and solution fit criteria in a given scenario
• Compare multiple solutions with inputs from technology, organizational and strategic implications
• Make vs. Buy, Write vs. Rent

12. Mock Exam