For Microsoft, 2010 is a platform building and marketing year with no less than the future success of its cloud strategy hanging in the balance, according to observers.
Experts say Microsoft's charge is not only to begin developing and delivering technology that will define its external, internal and hybrid cloud environments, but to clearly articulate to an overwhelming majority of corporate IT pros just how and why they want to live in a cloud.
In addition, there will have to be answers to questions around such issues as security, compliance and performance from those very users.
"In terms of the cloud, it is important for Microsoft to be on the right trajectory, it's not necessarily important to their business from a revenue standpoint to capture lots of revenue out of cloud in the next 24 months," says Al Gillen, program vice president for system software at IDC. "But if they don't get in line to compete, they put themselves at a significant risk of being not there when real money starts to get spent in this space."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/185206/microsoft_must_sell_the_cloud_to_it_pros_in_2010.html
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2009 – The Year The Clouds Reigned And Rained
The cloud is now both such a buzzword and integral component of our lives that it is difficult sometimes to see where the hype ends, and real use begins.
2009 was a huge year for the cloud, in its myriad forms. Let’s take a look the best parts of the cloud this year, and some of the largest problems that seemed to constantly crop up.
We will see that 2009 was most assuredly the year that the cloud became both pedestrian in its normality, and problematic in its often dismal downtime. If you think back however, the cloud is still quite the baby.
The first main-stream rumors of cloud computing, which we are going to use as a generic term for cloud hosting and processing, began in 2007. It is quite simple to watch its ascendancy with Google Trends. The graph below outlines its explosive growth.
Read Full Article Here:
http://thenextweb.com/2009/12/30/2009-year-clouds-reigned-rained/
2009 was a huge year for the cloud, in its myriad forms. Let’s take a look the best parts of the cloud this year, and some of the largest problems that seemed to constantly crop up.
We will see that 2009 was most assuredly the year that the cloud became both pedestrian in its normality, and problematic in its often dismal downtime. If you think back however, the cloud is still quite the baby.
The first main-stream rumors of cloud computing, which we are going to use as a generic term for cloud hosting and processing, began in 2007. It is quite simple to watch its ascendancy with Google Trends. The graph below outlines its explosive growth.
Read Full Article Here:
http://thenextweb.com/2009/12/30/2009-year-clouds-reigned-rained/
Monday, December 28, 2009
Will Microsoft Drive Cloud Revenues in 2010?
As the ramp-up towards the January launch of Microsoft’s Azure platform reaches a crescendo, it’s worth asking whether the software giant, of all companies, could be the most significant revenue driver for the cloud in 2010. While cloud adoption is practically a foregone conclusion in IT circles, cloud computing revenues still pale in comparison to total corporate IT spending. To drive significant revenue growth in 2010, cloud computing software and service providers need the simplest, fastest ways to move more spending from enterprise deployments to the cloud. And Microsoft, Azure, and the Windows ecosystem could emerge as the catalysts.
In December, Microsoft reorganized by forming a Server and Cloud division, following a slow and steady rollout of Microsoft Azure throughout 2009. The updates included all the usual tactics of getting developers, service providers, and early customers on the bandwagon. In November, Microsoft officials held court at the company’s Professional Developers Conference, seeking to engage the development community. It became clear there that while Azure does not equal Windows, common development frameworks like .NET deliver a more seamless bridge between on-premise and cloud deployments than existed previously.
Read Full Article Here:
http://gigaom.com/2009/12/28/will-microsoft-drive-cloud-revenues-in-2010/
In December, Microsoft reorganized by forming a Server and Cloud division, following a slow and steady rollout of Microsoft Azure throughout 2009. The updates included all the usual tactics of getting developers, service providers, and early customers on the bandwagon. In November, Microsoft officials held court at the company’s Professional Developers Conference, seeking to engage the development community. It became clear there that while Azure does not equal Windows, common development frameworks like .NET deliver a more seamless bridge between on-premise and cloud deployments than existed previously.
Read Full Article Here:
http://gigaom.com/2009/12/28/will-microsoft-drive-cloud-revenues-in-2010/
IBM Backs an OS for the 'Private Cloud'
An open-source Web-based operating system called eyeOS is getting a big boost from IBM. The computer giant has begun selling high-end mainframe servers with eyeOS pre-installed, hoping the operating system will entice customers who are hesitant about using cloud computing.
Managed by a small company based in Barcelona, eyeOS lets users access a virtual desktop through a Web browser. The user can treat that virtual desktop like the desktop of a regular PC, launching and running applications within it.
Though individuals can use the operating system over the Internet through a site hosted by eyeOS, IBM makes it possible for customers to host the service themselves. With the software installed on the mainframe server, a company could offer virtual desktops to its employees, who could then access their "work computers" from any device.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/24275/page1/
Managed by a small company based in Barcelona, eyeOS lets users access a virtual desktop through a Web browser. The user can treat that virtual desktop like the desktop of a regular PC, launching and running applications within it.
Though individuals can use the operating system over the Internet through a site hosted by eyeOS, IBM makes it possible for customers to host the service themselves. With the software installed on the mainframe server, a company could offer virtual desktops to its employees, who could then access their "work computers" from any device.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/24275/page1/
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Busy Executive’s Quick Cloud Computing Reference Guide
As an executive, you may be hearing many different viewpoints about Cloud Computing; some of them promising significant IT cost reductions and reductions in capital expenditures.
Similarly, you are hearing about the potential downsides of Cloud Computing, such as unexpected outages impairing your ability to operate or increased opportunity for data leakage and privacy and confidentiality breaches.
Hence, I've put together this quick primer to provide busy executives with a non-vendor-oriented view of Cloud Computing realities.
You Are a Consumer of Cloud Computing Services
Don't get caught off guard regarding all the technical complexities of developing and offering Cloud Computing services, the whole reason you're considering this option is so others will take care of these factors for you. Although you still need to be an educated consumer, you don't need to be in the weeds to ensure you're not caught with your pants around your ankles if you decide to use Cloud Computing services.
Read Full Article Here:
http://virtualization.sys-con.com/node/1230998
Similarly, you are hearing about the potential downsides of Cloud Computing, such as unexpected outages impairing your ability to operate or increased opportunity for data leakage and privacy and confidentiality breaches.
Hence, I've put together this quick primer to provide busy executives with a non-vendor-oriented view of Cloud Computing realities.
You Are a Consumer of Cloud Computing Services
Don't get caught off guard regarding all the technical complexities of developing and offering Cloud Computing services, the whole reason you're considering this option is so others will take care of these factors for you. Although you still need to be an educated consumer, you don't need to be in the weeds to ensure you're not caught with your pants around your ankles if you decide to use Cloud Computing services.
Read Full Article Here:
http://virtualization.sys-con.com/node/1230998
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Microsoft loses patent appeal; Word and Office to be barred from sale starting January 11
It's getting closer and closer to check-writing time for Steve Ballmer, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has just upheld a decision that would see Microsoft Word and Office banned from sale starting January 11. If you'll recall, Microsoft lost a patent infringement suit against XML specialists i4i back in May when it was found that Word's handling of .xml, .docx, and .docm files infringed upon i4i's patented XML handling algorithms, but the injunction against further Word sales was put on hold pending the results of this appeal. Now that Microsoft has lost once again, we'd expect either another appeal and request for the injunction to be stayed, this time to the Supreme Court, or for a settlement between these two that would end this whole mess right now. We'll see what happens -- stay tuned.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/22/microsoft-loses-patent-appeal-word-and-office-to-be-barred-from/
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/22/microsoft-loses-patent-appeal-word-and-office-to-be-barred-from/
Cloud Computing Grows Up
In 2009, the cloud went from a vague concept to a must-have technology.
It's always fun to watch the emergence of new IT trends and how quickly concepts and products evolve in the early stages. Never was this truer than with cloud computing and what the industry witnessed around its evolution. Over the past year, cloud computing has captured significant attention of CEOs, CIOs and IT personnel alike, as businesses began to investigate the value of moving certain workloads to a cloud model. Facing mounting pressures to provide better services quickly, while reducing costs, many IT decision makers found the economics and capabilities of cloud compelling.
Now with analyst firm Gartner's recent proclamation that cloud computing is the number one technology in its annual "Top 10 Strategic Technologies" list, it's clear that 2009 marked the maturation of this emerging form of computing. Here are a few significant highlights:
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/21/cloud-computing-ibm-technology-cio-network-telford.html?partner=yahootix
It's always fun to watch the emergence of new IT trends and how quickly concepts and products evolve in the early stages. Never was this truer than with cloud computing and what the industry witnessed around its evolution. Over the past year, cloud computing has captured significant attention of CEOs, CIOs and IT personnel alike, as businesses began to investigate the value of moving certain workloads to a cloud model. Facing mounting pressures to provide better services quickly, while reducing costs, many IT decision makers found the economics and capabilities of cloud compelling.
Now with analyst firm Gartner's recent proclamation that cloud computing is the number one technology in its annual "Top 10 Strategic Technologies" list, it's clear that 2009 marked the maturation of this emerging form of computing. Here are a few significant highlights:
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/21/cloud-computing-ibm-technology-cio-network-telford.html?partner=yahootix
Monday, December 21, 2009
Google To Acquire DocVerse; Office War Heats Up
From TechCruch:
Google, which is currently on one heck of a spending spree, is closing an acquisition of San Francisco based DocVerse, a service that lets users collaborate around Microsoft Office documents, we’ve heard from a source with knowledge of the deal. The purchase price is supposed to be around $25 million.
Docverse lets users collaborate directly on Microsoft Office documents. Appjet, another recent Google Acquisition, has a related product called EtherPad, although that team is reported to be working with Google Wave and the EtherPad source code has been released to the community.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/12/19/google-to-acquire-docverse-office-war-heats-up/
Google, which is currently on one heck of a spending spree, is closing an acquisition of San Francisco based DocVerse, a service that lets users collaborate around Microsoft Office documents, we’ve heard from a source with knowledge of the deal. The purchase price is supposed to be around $25 million.
Docverse lets users collaborate directly on Microsoft Office documents. Appjet, another recent Google Acquisition, has a related product called EtherPad, although that team is reported to be working with Google Wave and the EtherPad source code has been released to the community.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/12/19/google-to-acquire-docverse-office-war-heats-up/
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Microsoft's Private Cloud Formation
As Microsoft rolls out its Windows Azure and SQL Azure public cloud services in January 2010, the first implementers will likely include those building greenfield Web 2.0-type apps as well those who develop and test software looking for capacity on demand. But for cloud computing to take hold in the enterprise for business-critical applications, Microsoft knows it must extend Windows Azure to integrate securely and seamlessly with internally hosted systems.
Hence, the next phase of Windows Azure will enable enterprises to build private and enable hybrid clouds with a new set of deliverables that will evolve throughout 2010 and likely into the following years.
Read Full Article Here:
http://visualstudiomagazine.com/articles/2009/12/17/microsoft-private-cloud-formation.aspx
Hence, the next phase of Windows Azure will enable enterprises to build private and enable hybrid clouds with a new set of deliverables that will evolve throughout 2010 and likely into the following years.
Read Full Article Here:
http://visualstudiomagazine.com/articles/2009/12/17/microsoft-private-cloud-formation.aspx
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
7 Criteria for Evaluating a Move to the Cloud
It can be difficult for solution providers to fully understand how cloud-based applications and services will work within their clients' office environments. Vendors often declare that every solution is suitable for cloud technology, and industry experts are divided on whether the cloud is the best thing since sliced bread or a technology that's not yet ready for prime time.
Scott Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Asankya, a cloud acceleration service provider for Internet-based applications based in Atlanta, helps clear up the confusion with seven criteria for better understanding the technology's value. "These simple criteria," he says, "are a guide to companies that are evaluating a move to the cloud but have been reticent to act due to the noise coming from vendors and analysts across the industry."
1. Throughput. Today's dynamic, collaborative applications are placing heavy strains on the network. It is important to find a way to address throughput limitations and variability. The biggest issues facing Internet application throughput are protocol inefficiencies, delay, network congestion, and middle-mile bottlenecks. Using an Application Delivery Network that can solve these issues will ensure that performance is good for all users, not just the ones near to where the application is hosted.
Read Full Artichle Here:
http://www.systembuilderpro.com/article/15484/7-Criteria-for-Evaluating-a-Move-to-the-Cloud/
Scott Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Asankya, a cloud acceleration service provider for Internet-based applications based in Atlanta, helps clear up the confusion with seven criteria for better understanding the technology's value. "These simple criteria," he says, "are a guide to companies that are evaluating a move to the cloud but have been reticent to act due to the noise coming from vendors and analysts across the industry."
1. Throughput. Today's dynamic, collaborative applications are placing heavy strains on the network. It is important to find a way to address throughput limitations and variability. The biggest issues facing Internet application throughput are protocol inefficiencies, delay, network congestion, and middle-mile bottlenecks. Using an Application Delivery Network that can solve these issues will ensure that performance is good for all users, not just the ones near to where the application is hosted.
Read Full Artichle Here:
http://www.systembuilderpro.com/article/15484/7-Criteria-for-Evaluating-a-Move-to-the-Cloud/
Monday, December 14, 2009
Rackspace Intros First Channel Program For Hosted, Cloud Services
It took 10 years, but Rackspace Hosting has finally unveiled its first formal channel program to its 2,000-plus hosted service solution provider partners, with a similar program for those who partner on cloud services expected next month.
Rackspace traditionally offered partners compensation for referring customers to its dedicated hosted infrastructure service or for helping Rackspace get new business, but that is changing under the new program, said Robert Fuller, vice president of worldwide channels for the San Antonio, Calif.-based hosting provider.
Fuller, who joined Rackspace about six months ago after running his own channel consulting business and handling channels for AMD (NYSE:AMD), said the company's first official channel program resulted from conversations with partners who said they wanted a simple but formal program with a global reach, clear compensation rules, a training component, and easy-to access support and collateral.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/222001775;jsessionid=14YWL0KSUJVUTQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Rackspace traditionally offered partners compensation for referring customers to its dedicated hosted infrastructure service or for helping Rackspace get new business, but that is changing under the new program, said Robert Fuller, vice president of worldwide channels for the San Antonio, Calif.-based hosting provider.
Fuller, who joined Rackspace about six months ago after running his own channel consulting business and handling channels for AMD (NYSE:AMD), said the company's first official channel program resulted from conversations with partners who said they wanted a simple but formal program with a global reach, clear compensation rules, a training component, and easy-to access support and collateral.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/222001775;jsessionid=14YWL0KSUJVUTQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Symantec's Flagship Storage, Security Apps Now On Amazon EC2
Symantec (NSDQ:SYMC) is turning its flagship storage and security technologies into cloud-based subscriptions for users of the Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN) EC2 offering.
Symantec this week made its Veritas Storage Foundation Basic and its Endpoint Protection applications available on a subscription basis to customers who use the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), said John Magee, vice president of marketing for the vendor.
Veritas Storage Foundation Basic provides centralized multihost storage management, online configuration and administration, and data migration tools.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/storage/222001760;jsessionid=14YWL0KSUJVUTQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Symantec this week made its Veritas Storage Foundation Basic and its Endpoint Protection applications available on a subscription basis to customers who use the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), said John Magee, vice president of marketing for the vendor.
Veritas Storage Foundation Basic provides centralized multihost storage management, online configuration and administration, and data migration tools.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/storage/222001760;jsessionid=14YWL0KSUJVUTQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Friday, December 11, 2009
Hackers find a home in Amazon's EC2 cloud
Security researchers have spotted the Zeus botnet running an unauthorized command and control center on Amazon's EC2 cloud computing infrastructure.
This marks the first time Amazon Web Services' cloud infrastructure has been used for this type of illegal activity, according to Don DeBolt, director of threat research with HCL Technologies, a contractor that does security research for CA. The hackers didn't do this with Amazon's permission, however. They got onto Amazon's infrastructure by first hacking into a Web site that was hosted on Amazon's servers and then secretly installing their command and control infrastructure.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/hackers-find-home-in-amazons-ec2-cloud-742
This marks the first time Amazon Web Services' cloud infrastructure has been used for this type of illegal activity, according to Don DeBolt, director of threat research with HCL Technologies, a contractor that does security research for CA. The hackers didn't do this with Amazon's permission, however. They got onto Amazon's infrastructure by first hacking into a Web site that was hosted on Amazon's servers and then secretly installing their command and control infrastructure.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/hackers-find-home-in-amazons-ec2-cloud-742
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Reselling Rackspace Cloud Servers
Yesterday my colleague, Mike Mozey, posted a great article on reselling hosting services using the Rackspace Cloud Sites platform. Since then we have received several inquiries about reselling our Cloud Servers platform so I thought I’d post some thoughts on this subject.
Cloud Servers does not yet have built-in reseller functionality in our control panel and it may be some time before we see something similar to Cloud Sites implemented. This leaves you with a few different options:
1.You can leverage the robust Cloud Servers API and develop your own front-end control panel for communicating with our services programmatically. This would allow your customers to login to a custom interface (you would have to build) for your specific brand and perform the same functions you would in the Rackspace Cloud control panel. This option would require intensive development work, but you could essentially put your own face on top of the Cloud Servers infrastructure and have your own management portal for each customer.
Read Full Article Here:
http://chadkeck.com/2009/11/reselling-rackspace-cloud-servers/
Cloud Servers does not yet have built-in reseller functionality in our control panel and it may be some time before we see something similar to Cloud Sites implemented. This leaves you with a few different options:
1.You can leverage the robust Cloud Servers API and develop your own front-end control panel for communicating with our services programmatically. This would allow your customers to login to a custom interface (you would have to build) for your specific brand and perform the same functions you would in the Rackspace Cloud control panel. This option would require intensive development work, but you could essentially put your own face on top of the Cloud Servers infrastructure and have your own management portal for each customer.
Read Full Article Here:
http://chadkeck.com/2009/11/reselling-rackspace-cloud-servers/
Google touts progress with Apps, takes shot at Microsoft
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A Google Inc. executive said Wednesday that the company's Apps software has won over 20 million users across "a few million businesses," as it looks ahead to an impending revamp of rival technology from Microsoft Corp.
Speaking at the Barclays Capital Global Technology Conference, Matthew Glotzbach, director of product management for Google Enterprise, said that Google Apps -- which includes document and spreadsheet tools, as well as the Gmail service -- now has moved "out of that early-adopter phase," when "our one big customer" was biotech giant Genentech Inc.
Read Full Article Here
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/google-bears-down-on-microsoft-applications-2009-12-09
Speaking at the Barclays Capital Global Technology Conference, Matthew Glotzbach, director of product management for Google Enterprise, said that Google Apps -- which includes document and spreadsheet tools, as well as the Gmail service -- now has moved "out of that early-adopter phase," when "our one big customer" was biotech giant Genentech Inc.
Read Full Article Here
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/google-bears-down-on-microsoft-applications-2009-12-09
Intel's Taking Advantage of Cloud Computing
Intel has put together an interesting document on how federal government customers can take advantage of cloud computing.
Read the Document Here:
http://ipip.intel.com/go/wp-content/themes/ipip/includes/campaigns/cloud/federal-cloud-computing.pdf
Read the Document Here:
http://ipip.intel.com/go/wp-content/themes/ipip/includes/campaigns/cloud/federal-cloud-computing.pdf
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Top 5 cloud computing predictions for 2010
Evidently it's a requirement that all of those in the cloud computing world must chime in with their cloud computing predictions for 2010, so here are mine:
1. Rise of standards
The development of cloud computing standards and the use of cloud computing standards to promote interoperability was more conceptual in nature in 2009. In 2010 we should start to see some real traction in this area. Many user organizations are waiting on the sidelines for these standards to become real before they move data and applications to cloud providers. Some of the organizations to watch include the Open Cloud Consortium (OCC) and committees work within the Object Management Group and Open Group. However, many of the cloud computing providers that are trying to create standards as a means of marketing will abandon them in 2010 or 2011.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/top-5-cloud-computing-predictions-2010-188
1. Rise of standards
The development of cloud computing standards and the use of cloud computing standards to promote interoperability was more conceptual in nature in 2009. In 2010 we should start to see some real traction in this area. Many user organizations are waiting on the sidelines for these standards to become real before they move data and applications to cloud providers. Some of the organizations to watch include the Open Cloud Consortium (OCC) and committees work within the Object Management Group and Open Group. However, many of the cloud computing providers that are trying to create standards as a means of marketing will abandon them in 2010 or 2011.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/top-5-cloud-computing-predictions-2010-188
Tech giants form cloud group to target enterprise; Amazon absent
Some of the nation's biggest technology firms, including Microsoft, IBM, Cisco and Hewlett-Packard, are teaming up to encourage large companies to use cloud computing services. The new Enterprise Cloud Buyers Council wants to create a set of uniform standards and metrics for the emerging field of cloud computing so that companies can more easily compare services and jump from vendor to vendor.
Absent from the list, however, is Amazon.com, an early leader in the cloud computing field. Amazon has been ramping up its own pitch to enterprise customers lately with a series of new offerings.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/12/tech_giants_form_cloud_computing_group_amazon_absent.html
Absent from the list, however, is Amazon.com, an early leader in the cloud computing field. Amazon has been ramping up its own pitch to enterprise customers lately with a series of new offerings.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/12/tech_giants_form_cloud_computing_group_amazon_absent.html
Windows Server and Windows Azure come together in a new STB organization: the Server & Cloud Division
Microsoft is announcing today the formation of a new organization within the Server & Tools Business that combines the Windows Server & Solutions group and the Windows Azure group, into a single organization called the Server & Cloud Division (SCD).
This change reflects the alignment of our resources with our strategy, and represents a natural evolution for Microsoft as the Windows Azure business moves from an advanced development project to a mainstream business, as we announced last month at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC).
Read Full Article Here:
http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/12/08/windows-server-and-windows-azure-come-together-in-a-new-stb-organization-the-server-cloud-division.aspx
This change reflects the alignment of our resources with our strategy, and represents a natural evolution for Microsoft as the Windows Azure business moves from an advanced development project to a mainstream business, as we announced last month at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC).
Read Full Article Here:
http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/12/08/windows-server-and-windows-azure-come-together-in-a-new-stb-organization-the-server-cloud-division.aspx
RainStor rebrands and targets U.S. cloud market for structured data
The majority of growth and traction in the cloud services space will be in North America. That's the view of infrastructure software company RainStor, and it's why the company, formerly known as Clearpace, has rebranded itself and moved its' head office to San Francisco from the U.K., to coincide with the release Tuesday of RainStor 3.5, the latest version of its' cloud service for structured data.
"We launched in the middle of this year a cloud service, for partners who want to deliver this as a service," said John Bantleman, CEO of RainStor. "Rainstor was initially the brand for the cloud service, and the strong market recreption was positive, and this is where we figured the company was heading. To have two brands we thought was not a good strategy, so we changed the name of the company to RainStor."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=25249
"We launched in the middle of this year a cloud service, for partners who want to deliver this as a service," said John Bantleman, CEO of RainStor. "Rainstor was initially the brand for the cloud service, and the strong market recreption was positive, and this is where we figured the company was heading. To have two brands we thought was not a good strategy, so we changed the name of the company to RainStor."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=25249
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Top 10 Cloud Computing Stories Of 2009
1. Mostly Cloudy With A Chance Of Market Growth
Perhaps the biggest story about cloud computing in 2009 was cloud computing itself. Even as some pundits continued to debate the definition of cloud computing, virtually every IT hardware, software and service company sought to define (and in many cases redefine) itself as a cloud-computing vendor. That's not surprising, perhaps, when Gartner puts the 2009 market for cloud computing services at $56.3 billion, growing to $150.1 billion by 2013. (Merrill Lynch goes even further, predicting that revenue from cloud computing services and applications will hit $160 billion by 2011.) Certainly cloud computing isn't a flash-in-the-pan. It's a new paradigm that helps IT managers leverage resources outside their data center, potentially lowering costs and providing unprecedented levels of flexibility.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/222000724;jsessionid=TTPCDBCEEPJFPQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Perhaps the biggest story about cloud computing in 2009 was cloud computing itself. Even as some pundits continued to debate the definition of cloud computing, virtually every IT hardware, software and service company sought to define (and in many cases redefine) itself as a cloud-computing vendor. That's not surprising, perhaps, when Gartner puts the 2009 market for cloud computing services at $56.3 billion, growing to $150.1 billion by 2013. (Merrill Lynch goes even further, predicting that revenue from cloud computing services and applications will hit $160 billion by 2011.) Certainly cloud computing isn't a flash-in-the-pan. It's a new paradigm that helps IT managers leverage resources outside their data center, potentially lowering costs and providing unprecedented levels of flexibility.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/222000724;jsessionid=TTPCDBCEEPJFPQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Googe Apps Vs Microsoft BPOS
This is an interesting step by step comparison of Google's online services offering vs what Microsoft is currently providing...
http://blogs.technet.com/carpediem/archive/2009/12/03/google-apps-vs-bpos-you-decide-day-1-stage-1-the-facts.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/carpediem/archive/2009/12/03/google-apps-vs-bpos-you-decide-day-1-stage-1-the-facts.aspx
Monday, December 7, 2009
Find Out Why “Windows Azure is a Game-Changer”
Microsoft Launches Front Runner Early Adopter Program for Windows Azure
Why Windows Azure Platform?
The Windows Azure Platform provides developers with on-demand computing and storage to host, scale, and manage Web applications on the Internet through Microsoft data centers. By building your applications on the Windows Azure Platform, you can provide more options for your customers, from how they access your applications to how much infrastructure they need to run those applications.
Why Front Runner for Windows Azure Platform?
When you join the Front Runner program, you’ll get access to one-on-one technical support from our developer experts by phone or e-mail. Then, once you tell us that your application is compatible, you’ll get a range of marketing benefits to help you let your customers know that you’re a Front Runner.
Read Details Here:
http://frontrunner.msdev.com/whyjoinazure.aspx
Why Windows Azure Platform?
The Windows Azure Platform provides developers with on-demand computing and storage to host, scale, and manage Web applications on the Internet through Microsoft data centers. By building your applications on the Windows Azure Platform, you can provide more options for your customers, from how they access your applications to how much infrastructure they need to run those applications.
Why Front Runner for Windows Azure Platform?
When you join the Front Runner program, you’ll get access to one-on-one technical support from our developer experts by phone or e-mail. Then, once you tell us that your application is compatible, you’ll get a range of marketing benefits to help you let your customers know that you’re a Front Runner.
Read Details Here:
http://frontrunner.msdev.com/whyjoinazure.aspx
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Facebook-Yahoo deal could promote content sharing by other Web sites
An agreement between Facebook and Yahoo to allow users to blend content from the two sites has big implications for "cloud computing."
The deal, announced last week, will make it easier for users to read their friends' Facebook posts or update their own Facebook status from Yahoo. Facebook content will be available across Yahoo properties, including its Flickr photo service. It's of course a two-way street, allowing people to display their Yahoo content on Facebook as well.
For Yahoo, it's an extension of a strategy the company started implementing earlier this year when it added "applications" to the Yahoo front page that allow users a peek at data from Yahoo and non-Yahoo accounts, including Gmail, eBay and Facebook.
It's likely that deals like this will grow over time, perhaps to include integration with Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and other social networks.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/larry-magid/ci_13913693
The deal, announced last week, will make it easier for users to read their friends' Facebook posts or update their own Facebook status from Yahoo. Facebook content will be available across Yahoo properties, including its Flickr photo service. It's of course a two-way street, allowing people to display their Yahoo content on Facebook as well.
For Yahoo, it's an extension of a strategy the company started implementing earlier this year when it added "applications" to the Yahoo front page that allow users a peek at data from Yahoo and non-Yahoo accounts, including Gmail, eBay and Facebook.
It's likely that deals like this will grow over time, perhaps to include integration with Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and other social networks.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/larry-magid/ci_13913693
Will the BPOS Price Cuts Hurt Partners?
As Microsoft seeks to extend its platform to the cloud, the company continues to hit some turbulence.
Just as Microsoft was slated to launch its Windows Azure cloud services at last month's Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles, Amazon.com Inc. swooped in and slashed the cost of its services by up to 15 percent. Amazon also added a relational database hosting service, a feature that makes the cloud more attractive for enterprise applications and one that Microsoft is readying as well.
Meanwhile, in another major blow to Redmond, the City of Los Angeles in late October chose Google Inc. to run its online e-mail service. It was a closely watched competition between Microsoft and Google for a city-wide government network.
In an apparent response that has some partners furious, Microsoft last month slashed the price of its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) from $15 a month to $10 a month. Some partners are even accusing Microsoft of offering BPOS below cost. BPOS consists of hosted collaboration and communications software based on Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online and Office Live Meeting.
Read Full Article Here:
http://rcpmag.com/Articles/2009/12/01/Will-the-BPOS-Price-Cuts-Hurt-Partners.aspx
Just as Microsoft was slated to launch its Windows Azure cloud services at last month's Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles, Amazon.com Inc. swooped in and slashed the cost of its services by up to 15 percent. Amazon also added a relational database hosting service, a feature that makes the cloud more attractive for enterprise applications and one that Microsoft is readying as well.
Meanwhile, in another major blow to Redmond, the City of Los Angeles in late October chose Google Inc. to run its online e-mail service. It was a closely watched competition between Microsoft and Google for a city-wide government network.
In an apparent response that has some partners furious, Microsoft last month slashed the price of its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) from $15 a month to $10 a month. Some partners are even accusing Microsoft of offering BPOS below cost. BPOS consists of hosted collaboration and communications software based on Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online and Office Live Meeting.
Read Full Article Here:
http://rcpmag.com/Articles/2009/12/01/Will-the-BPOS-Price-Cuts-Hurt-Partners.aspx
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Ingram, Intermedia Promote Hosted Exchange 2010 to MSPs
Intermedia and Ingram Micro Seismic are marching forward with their plans to offer Hosted Exchange 2010 to managed service providers. The move comes as many VARs and MSPs continue to sort out their SaaS (software as a service) strategies for Microsoft applications.
Intermedia, based in New York, is one of the largest Hosted Exchange providers. The company spent much of 2010 beta testing Exchange 2010 and also has a white label program that allows resellers to rebrand Hosted Exchange 2010 as their own.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.mspmentor.net/2009/12/04/ingram-intermedia-promote-hosted-exchange-2010-to-msps/
Intermedia, based in New York, is one of the largest Hosted Exchange providers. The company spent much of 2010 beta testing Exchange 2010 and also has a white label program that allows resellers to rebrand Hosted Exchange 2010 as their own.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.mspmentor.net/2009/12/04/ingram-intermedia-promote-hosted-exchange-2010-to-msps/
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Microsoft Introduces Business Productivity Online Suite At Reduced Rate
Business owners and managers can now purchase a broad variety of Microsoft online services through Enpointe Technologies.
These services are geared toward helping businesses through increasing communications using practical methods such as instant messaging, video conferencing and secure e-mail. Small business owners and CEOs alike agree that quick, effective communication is essential in a world that’s going through increasing globalization.
Security is also a major factor for business owners, as phishing scams, spam and viruses seem to only get worse.
“We simply could not use a system like Gmail. There may be private information involved, and we needed a guarantee that the information would remain secure,” said Jan van Glabbeek, Head of IT for Ziekenhuis Amstelland. “It needs to stay within the domain of the hospital, and we can do that with the Microsoft Online Services solution.”
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=35701
These services are geared toward helping businesses through increasing communications using practical methods such as instant messaging, video conferencing and secure e-mail. Small business owners and CEOs alike agree that quick, effective communication is essential in a world that’s going through increasing globalization.
Security is also a major factor for business owners, as phishing scams, spam and viruses seem to only get worse.
“We simply could not use a system like Gmail. There may be private information involved, and we needed a guarantee that the information would remain secure,” said Jan van Glabbeek, Head of IT for Ziekenhuis Amstelland. “It needs to stay within the domain of the hospital, and we can do that with the Microsoft Online Services solution.”
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=35701
Can Windows Azure deliver on IT's interest in it?
InfoWorld - Windows Azure, Microsoft's fledgling cloud computing platform, is piquing the interest of IT specialists who see it as a potential solution for dealing with variable compute loads. But an uptick in deployments for Azure, which becomes a fee-based service early next year, could take a while, with customers still just evaluating the technology.
"We'd be targeting applications that have variable loads" for possible deployment on Azure, said David Collins, a system consultant at the Unum life insurance company. The company might find Azure useful for an enrollment application. "We have huge activity in November and December and then the rest of the year, it's not so big," Collins said. Unum, however, is not ready to use Azure, with Collins citing issues such as integrating Azure with IBM DB2 and Teradata systems.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9141720/Can_Windows_Azure_deliver_on_IT_s_interest_in_it_?taxonomyId=
"We'd be targeting applications that have variable loads" for possible deployment on Azure, said David Collins, a system consultant at the Unum life insurance company. The company might find Azure useful for an enrollment application. "We have huge activity in November and December and then the rest of the year, it's not so big," Collins said. Unum, however, is not ready to use Azure, with Collins citing issues such as integrating Azure with IBM DB2 and Teradata systems.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9141720/Can_Windows_Azure_deliver_on_IT_s_interest_in_it_?taxonomyId=
Verizon Business Looks To Ease Cloud Computing Move With New Services
Verizon (NYSE:VZ) Business is helping customers adopt cloud computing with a new step-by-step, vendor-agnostic consulting and services program the company said will eventually be made available to its channel partners.
The new Cloud Computing Program is being offered with the assumption that most enterprises will eventually want to adopt some form of cloud computing, said Bart Vansevenant, director of enterprise sales for the Basking Ridge, N.J.-based solution provider unit of Verizon Communications.
"We want to help customers transition to the cloud," Vansevenant said.
Cloud computing is a way to dynamically combine and scale server, storage, networking, and other resources outside of a company's own traditional data center for such purposes as remote data storage or running Software-as-a-Service. A company can build an internal or private cloud, which allows those resources to be available for its own purposes, or can use external or public clouds, which are available over the Internet.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/222000389;jsessionid=EMM0PHQTVUFUXQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN
The new Cloud Computing Program is being offered with the assumption that most enterprises will eventually want to adopt some form of cloud computing, said Bart Vansevenant, director of enterprise sales for the Basking Ridge, N.J.-based solution provider unit of Verizon Communications.
"We want to help customers transition to the cloud," Vansevenant said.
Cloud computing is a way to dynamically combine and scale server, storage, networking, and other resources outside of a company's own traditional data center for such purposes as remote data storage or running Software-as-a-Service. A company can build an internal or private cloud, which allows those resources to be available for its own purposes, or can use external or public clouds, which are available over the Internet.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/222000389;jsessionid=EMM0PHQTVUFUXQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Office 2010 Ship Date Revealed
Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) on Tuesday confirmed that the next version of its Office productivity suite will be released in the middle of next year.
Office 2010, and related products, will be available in June, Microsoft said, in response to numerous Internet reports about a possible ship date for the software.
To keep pace with the growing number of free, or low-cost, desktop productivity tools available online, Microsoft for the first time plans to include a Web-based version of Office with the 2010 release.
Office Web, as the offering is called, will be available to consumers at no charge.
The free, online products will include the Office word processing application, the Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation software, and OneNote message pad, Microsoft said. They'll be available directly through Microsoft's Windows Live portal and launch directly within a user's browser.
Businesses that purchase volume subscriptions to Office also will receive access to the Office Web apps at no additional charge.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/enterpriseapps/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222000110
Office 2010, and related products, will be available in June, Microsoft said, in response to numerous Internet reports about a possible ship date for the software.
To keep pace with the growing number of free, or low-cost, desktop productivity tools available online, Microsoft for the first time plans to include a Web-based version of Office with the 2010 release.
Office Web, as the offering is called, will be available to consumers at no charge.
The free, online products will include the Office word processing application, the Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation software, and OneNote message pad, Microsoft said. They'll be available directly through Microsoft's Windows Live portal and launch directly within a user's browser.
Businesses that purchase volume subscriptions to Office also will receive access to the Office Web apps at no additional charge.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/enterpriseapps/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222000110
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