IBM is planning to launch an “open” cloud computing strategy. However, there are lots of accusations that it can backfire, though a few deals have been closed.
For example, Google has pulled out after signing up. Amazon has clearly told it would not get involved.
Microsoft has criticised the plan, saying it was given just two days to sign up to a “secret” manifesto with no input.
“We had concerns about process and governance that led us to question IBM’s intentions,” Microsoft’s Steve Martin told reporters.
The Cloud Computing Interoperability Forum, which had also added its name to the list of more than 30 companies in the plan, withdrew its support over the weekend.
Some of those companies still backing the plan include CISCO, Sun, AT&T, Red Hat, SAP and AMD.
There was no comment from IBM over the Google change of heart or that of the CCIF. However, IBM said that it hoped Microsoft would reconsider and get involved in the Open Cloud Manifesto at some stage.
“The aim was for this (Manifesto) to serve as a rallying cry to the industry to get focused around the importance of the cloud environment being open,” Karla Norsworthy IBM’s vice president of Software Standards explained .