Cloud Savings Calculator Lets Feds Predict Savings

MeriTalk (www.meritalk.com), the government IT network, today announced the first Federal Cloud Computing Savings Calculator – http://www.meritalk.com/savings-calculator.php – a free online tool that empowers Federal agencies to quantify their potential cloud savings. More than bottom-line financial savings, the calculator provides agencies with a read on their various cloud model options – private, community, and public – and the suitability and financial impact of their cloud model choice.

Designed to support Federal agencies, the Cloud Savings Calculator is built to leverage Federal agencies’ data inputs from their existing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 300 budget justification forms and U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) cost estimation standards. Recognizing the fundamental operational and economic differences between transitioning an existing environment to cloud and selecting cloud models for new investments, the calculator features two input screens – one for transitioning existing environment or Steady State investments, and one for new investments or Development, Modernization, and Enhancement (DME). The tool utilizes more than 1,400 internal calculations to arrive at agencies’ savings opportunities.

Developed in collaboration with government and industry, the Cloud Savings Calculator synthesizes information and insights from both cloud vendors and Federal agencies that have deployed cloud solutions. MeriTalk initiated the Cloud Savings Calculator development process on September 1, 2009 with a data call to industry to source the various cloud financial models. The team synthesized the inputs and developed the initial model, then briefed the framework back to industry. Many leading cloud solution providers participated in this process, including representatives from Acumen, Amazon, Cisco, DLT, EMC, Google, Government Acquisitions, HP, IBM, Juniper, NetApp, Oracle, and VMware. The team then briefed and collaborated with representatives from a series of Federal agencies, including: Commerce, DISA, Energy, GSA, Interior, and NASA.

“The screaming about cloud is deafening in Federal,” said Stephen W.T. O’Keeffe, founder, MeriTalk. “This tool allows Feds to get a read ahead on cloud economics before they put their money where their mouth is. We’re delighted to partner with government and industry to develop this first-of-its-kind tool. Cloud is a journey not a destination – and we will continue dialogue with government and industry to enhance the value of this Cloud Savings Calculator.”

About MeriTalk

IT is enabling significant changes in our government. The implications for average Americans are profound. The voice of tomorrow’s government today, MeriTalk is an online community that combines social networking and thought leadership to drive the government IT community dialogue.

Developed as a partnership among the Federal Business Council; Federal Employee Defense Services; Federal Managers Association; GovLoop; National Treasury Employees Union, the largest Federal workforce union; New Ideas for Government; United Service Organizations; and WTOP/WFED radio, MeriTalk is a community site. For more information, visit www.meritalk.com or follow us on Twitter, @meritalk.