The Open Data Center Alliance (ODCA) announced that Deutsche Bank has won the “Conquering the Cloud Challenge,” a competition to identify the best practices for cloud computing and data center solutions. Deutsche Bank was selected by a panel of expert judges as the grand prize winner for the entry, “Identity Management in the New Hybrid Cloud World,” and awarded a $10,000 purse and other prizes. Judges cited that Deutsche Bank’s entry tackled a difficult problem, clearly described a technology implementation and showcased an effective approach to cloud computing that can be leveraged across organizations. More details on Deutsche Bank’s entry can be found here. 

China Telecom and Peruvian State were selected as category winners for their entries ESurfing Cloud Computing a Carrier-Class Cloud Incubator and its Implement and Cloud of Data Center services of the Peruvian State's companies.

“We were very impressed with the caliber of entries we received, further underscoring the level of work and expertise invested in cloud computing among ODCA members,” said Ravi Subramaniam, principal engineer at Intel Corporation. “Deutsche Bank’s entry not only demonstrates true innovation, but also provides a clear and concise approach to deploy and measure cloud success. Most importantly, we feel these practices can be emulated by other organizations looking to implement effective cloud computing solutions.”

The “Conquering the Cloud Challenge” was created to draw attention to the need for best known methods for cloud delivery by identifying the leading edge ideas that companies, universities and non-profits are using to achieve the most results from cloud adoption.

“Learning from others has enabled us to develop and deploy our own unique approaches to the cloud,” said Andrew Stokes, Chief Scientist of Deutsche Bank’s Global Technology team. “We are honored to be selected as the winner of the ‘Conquering the Cloud Challenge’ and proud that we are able to share our insights and continue to help this industry grow.”

Entries were judged by a panel of cloud experts which included ODCA members and influencers in the cloud industry as well as a public vote. Judges included:

 • Jan Drake, principal cloud architect for Disney Corporation

• Frank Gens, senior vice president and chief analyst at IDC; writes extensively about the cloud

• Ben Kepes, analyst, entrepreneur, commentator and business adviser; recognized as one of the leading social experts on the cloud

• Jeff Perdue, senior scientist at Carnegie Mellon University and co-director of the Cloud Service Measurement Initiative Consortium

• Ravi Subramaniam, principal engineer at Intel Corporation

 

Entrants described their cloud best practice in a document no longer than five standard single-spaced pages. The competition was open to organizations managing data center resources in all geographies including ODCA members and non-members. Up to five team contributors (18 and older) were invited sign on to each entry with prizes shared by teams.