The first step for companies is determining whether cloud computing can benefit them. One reason companies turn to the cloud is to simplify their operations, letting staff focus more on core activities, similar to the rationale that drives many outsourcing decisions.
Sleek, a company that provides tutorial software to Texas schools to help students pass state-mandated exams, decided about two years ago to move its applications, which were running on about 30 Windows servers, to the cloud computing service of 3tera Inc. , which now runs the applications on four virtual servers. “We were reaching the point where it was becoming difficult for us to manage our servers. Moving it into the cloud solved that problem,” says Jody Threet, VP of research and development at Sleek.
Yet cost savings are driving cloud adoption more than anything these days, and the recession has accelerated the choices. Cloud computing trades the capital spending model – up-front investments in hardware, networking, and software licenses – for operating costs that are based on monthly fees.
Booth Newspapers, a Michigan publisher with 1.5 million readers, has been hard hit, like much of the newspaper industry in the economic downturn, and it opted for a software-as-a-service approach to security when layoffs loomed. The chain, with about 500 employees, had to renew its antivirus software at the end of 2008.
“We were in the process of downsizing and needed to cut a few positions from our IT staff,” says Ron Klock, director of information systems. Rather than continue having staff maintain the company’s antivirus software, Booth opted for a security service from Zscaler Inc. , which provides cloud-based firewall, virus protection, and content filtering. After the change, the media company cut a couple of full-time positions from its 50-person IT staff.
I fail to see how the issues around cloud security are any less (or more for that matter) than the concerns of outsourcing any aspect of IT. Perhaps it's the name. "Cloud" really doesn't sound stable does it? And yet Amazon, Google and even Microsoft have far more experience in keeping their infrastructures running, and secure, than most other organizations, especially SMB's.
What is the hang up? Granted, I think any organization should walk before they run into this arena, but we've been outsourcing computing resources and storing data on computers of such companies for years. Certainly you have to make sure that the outsourcing company is reputable and that they have resonable hiring and security practices. But who is more capable of doing this right, an organziation with the size and experience of Google or Amazon, or even a 200 person SMB (or 14,000 user state government for that matter)?
I'd put my money on the Google (who, if it isn't obvious by now, I do not think of as evil) Amazon or any other large well funded well managed IT innovation company.
I would be cautious about putting my data on Cloud-R-Us (can you say Internet bubble?) but I don't have any reservations about moving to the cloud, or the security of it.
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A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the old saying goes. So understanding how to use images in e-newsletters effectively is quite important. Here are a few tips to ensure that your images in email newsletters work to your advantage.
Arms merchant or army? That's a fundamental question for vendors in the cloud computing space. Do they just sell their tooling to any and all comers, who then become the actual purveyors of hosted infrastructure, developer platforms, and software? Or do they offer their own cloud-based services, perhaps even keeping much of their technology in-house for competitive advantage?
With the value of toxic assets on the rise, large U.S. and European banks face many challenges on the road to recovery. Sharing key information may help these firms effectively track the way forward.
Most of us go through life knowing that we’re expected to learn from our mistakes and improve. Those who are more conscientious about learning and personal improvement usually reap greater rewards.
Marketers are known for exaggerated claims and stretching the truth just a wee bit. But most marketers I know truly believe in what they sell. Their aggressiveness is based on a confidence that what they are promoting truly benefits the customer.
While Google introduces its new Chrome OS (which I'm hearing will be widely available in one year? Did I mishear that?), IBM announced 10 new products today to help companies using IBM System z mainframe technology.
Smarter Collaboration: How to Thrive in a Challenging Business Environment Market conditions are changing faster than ever, and organizations need to improve their agility and adaptability in order to provide better service and improve processes. The ability to work with customers, business partners, and employees as effectively as possible - while at the same time holding down costs - is a key to success. READ THIS eBOOK
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Industry initiatives and government stimulus funds are giving enterprise software vendors a great opportunity to help build out and manage smart grid technologies.
The problem with telepresence is that it's not universally accepted, because video calling isn't. While we can all do video calling, we also apparently worry too much about how we look. If we want HD telepresence in our future, we have to dress down, mess up our hair, and dive into our online life.
The US loses about $20 billion a year on pirated software, movies, and music. But public policy can help stem the tide of digital theft. For example, France has recently passed a 'three strikes and you’re out' law, whereby if after two warning letters an individual continues to download pirated software then his Internet access will be cut off. US policy makers should consider adopting similar policies.
Financial management planning does not need to include Voodoo economics, but it does help to tap into the knowledge base of your team through some sort of real-time system. We explore your options.
When Reiter gets incensed over incompetent Verizon FiOS order-taking and support, he broadcasts it via Twitter. Did it do any good? How should your company offer Twitter support? Watch this for all the answers.
The successor to the BlackBerry Bold 9000 – the Bold 9700 – will be available soon in the US. Is it worth upgrading? Reiter's got one, and offers advice.
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