Houston Texans and Cloud Computing: Playoff Edition

2011 Houston Texans: AFC South Champions

A couple of months ago, we decided it would be fun to use our hometown Houston Texans football team to use a fun (but very poor) analogy to how cloud computing works and how the Texans could use cloud computing principles to help their season.  We drafted a blog post, thought it might be funny, and posted it here.

It was a hit!  So now that the Texans have clinched their first ever playoff berth and an AFC South title, we thought it would be fitting to see how well they followed our advice, and tips they can use going into the playoffs with the IS Blog's edition of "Houston Texans and Cloud Computing: Playoff Edition."  Congrats to the Houston Texans, 2011 AFC South Champions!

1.  Reduced Costs

Since cloud computing reduces overall IT costs, with a pay-as-you-go scale, we suggested that the Texans use their salary space wisely.  While some high paid players have disappointed, Houston's rushing game is led by running backs Arian Foster ($525,000) and Ben Tate ($405,000).  They're probably due for a raise, but this year, there might not be a better bang for the buck and the duo has played a major factor in Houston's offense.

2. Disaster Recovery

When we last talked about the Texans and the cloud, we stressed the importance of disaster recovery.  It is much more secure to have critical data in the cloud, rather than an on-site server where hurricanes and fires can wreck a business and cause loss of important information and business productivity.


On the field, the Texans were facing the loss of star linebacker Mario Williams for the season and receiver Andre Johnson was hurt.  Since then, thing haven't gotten any better with both starting quarterback Matt Schaub AND his backup Matt Leinart hurt for the year.  It seems as though the Texans took our advice to heart.  Not only did they have serviceable back up plans for Williams and Johnson (Connor Barwin has stepped up his game to a Pro-Bowl level at LB; tight ends Joel Dressen and Owen Daniels also picked up their play)  but the story of the year might be T.J. Yates.

The rookie QB has only gone undefeated in three starts, including leading the team to a come-from-behind victory in Cincinnati last Sunday, throwing a TD pass with two seconds left to clinch the Texans first playoff berth ever!  Now that's what we call a great disaster recovery game plan.

3. Remote Access and Mobility

The business environment has changed; it is imperative now that employees and clients have access to information and files away from the traditional desktop.  Cloud computing allows the mobility for today's worker to be effective and efficient away by accessing what they need from home, away from the office, and even mobile phones.

In October, we suggested that the Texans could use better mobility since they were currently just 14-29 as a road team under coach Gary Kubiak.  Since then?  The Texans have only won four straight games away from Reliant Stadium and with their only other road game left against winless rival Indianapolis, the Texans could very well make it five in a row and claim that for the 2011 season, they were able to "get the job done" away from home.

All things aside though, we should give credit where credit is due.  It's been a great football season in Houston this year.  And we're not suggesting that the Houston Texans read the IS Blog or Coach Kubiak listened to our advice when we posted the first "Houston Texans and Cloud Computing" blog.  But is it a coincidence that when we posted that blog in October, the Texans have won six straight?  We're just saying....

And as always, if your business is interested in making cloud principles work for your company like the Texans, give one of our professional consultants a call or e-mail us at info@issupport.com.  You can also visit our website anytime of the day!


Congratulations from IS Support to our hometown Houston Texans, 2011 AFC South Champions!