What the article details is innovation that makes it possible for business to deploy cloud better. IBM have been in cloud for a long time. Indeed our government data centre is an IBM machine and the efforts are now about how to make that a true cloud offering for government. (a discussion for another day).

The facts as I read them in the article are that it will be easier to provision cloud services via this model that IBM proposes.

Also one interesting fact that comes through is how IBM works with ISVs, essentially channel partners with specialist expertise, as part of its delivery of services. Something they and other multinationals are doing in Kenya and one way for local companies to leverage international Global R&D companies to create jobs and provide services.

I happen to know Rod Atkins quoted in the article from his visit to Kenya last year and our subsequent visit to IBM. It is prudent to suggest that we need to stand on the shoulders of these global companies for our local firms to deepen skills and expertise and dominate Africa. There are many emerging Kenyan firms that have skilled up to be channel partners for global firms across various areas. Indeed many of our largest ICT firms are large because of this reseller model.

ICT investors both local and international must get the right messages about this market. And sentiment is part of messaging and is a very strong driver of investment decision making especially in Africa.

For those who may not read the article (and I suspect some will not have), it not as it is stated in Robert's headline, about the demise of the company.

Paul Kukubo

CEO Kenya ICT Board

http://www.opengovpartnership.org/On Wednesday, April 18, 2012, Odhiambo Washington wrote:

Hi Robert

I personally believe in freedom of expression. This forum, IMHO, is open to all members to express their views/opinions by way of proposition, opposition and support of views expressed - but within the confines of this very platform/forum. Whoever called you is some coward who is afraid of expressing himself publicly.

Oh, just tell the person they are burrreeeeeeee kabisa! :-)

On Wed, Apr 18, 2012 at 08:49, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hi Listers,

I have just received a phone call from a very respected member of this community, who shall remain unnamed for purposes of his reputation as in this case he is acting as a gun for hire.

He indicated that the post below is negative and I need to have a more positive approach to my posts.

Mine is to present my case and accept judgement in the court of peer opinion, so I ask is this post negative?

In the conversation it was said that most list members avoid contributing for fear of being flamed mainly by me, to encourage all to participate I promise not to respond to any post that relates to this issue either now or in the future.

Moderator, in the event that the majority indicate my post of the successful launch of a cloud solution by IBM is negative please delete the post and suspend my posting privileges for 1 month or any other period deemed appropriate to the extent of cancelling my membership.

Regards

Robert Yawe
KAY System Technologies Ltd
Phoenix House, 6th Floor
P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
Kenya

Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

From: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>
To: robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Wednesday, 18 April 2012, 8:19
Subject: [kictanet] IBM is dead!

Hi All,

I always said that my short lived mini computer skills will serve me again soon, the big boys are back in the game and at the front of the pack is old Blue.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/data_centers/232900099

Cloud is the death knell for the PC Servers and the rebirth of the mainframe team, it is good to be back home with total and absolute control.

Regards

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