Grid held back by legacy systems and budget worries

Ancient computing systems and worries about yet another new technology are holding back the UK's adoption of grid computing, according to IECNet - the government-funded initiative pushing for more grids in business.

Ian Osborne, project manager of IECNet, told silicon.com that the need to make legacy systems work with the new grid set-ups is one of the key barriers to UK businesses using grid computing, along with techies being too used to hearing about the 'next big thing'.

"There are always barriers; businesses always have legacy environments running," he said. "There's a healthy amount of concern - IT directors are always hearing about yet another new technology, another silver bullet," he said.

He added that the image of grid can also conflict with the day-to-day world of IT. "The ultimate goal for grid is to link up all the computers in the world - it's a very glorious academic goal but most IT directors have enough challenges getting hold of the resources now."

IECNet's project manager also refuted the idea of grid as a specialised technology for high-end businesses. "It's genuinely a technology that scales from bottom to top," he said.

A recent report by analyst firm Quocirca found that grid is already more widespread than first thought but issues over office politics aren't helping take-up.

Osborne said the UK's CIOs are interested, although reticent, about grid: "They heard about it some time ago, now they're just waiting for the next step to happen or they've forgotten about it." Those CIOs wanting to make the case for grid investments should appeal to the CFO with a greater return on assets, he added.

"Financial directors will be delighted to hear they can get more from the investment they already have in technology," Osborne said.