It's no secret that Google has been making a play for SMB market share, a territory long under Microsoft's control. It's a logical goal to pursue as business computing continues to evolve from the local machine to cloud computing—Google's wheelhouse. But can Google succeed at taking customers from business software incumbent Microsoft, even while fending off newer cloud-based competitors?
Cloud computing has made the SMB market a goldmine for service providers. Vendors can offer and tailor services (such as databases, programming platforms, unified communications, and more) that would have been out of reach for small businesses due to cost or technical expertise requirements. Still, Google hasn't made significant gains in the enterprise space. I addressed the reasons why businesses have been slow to embrace cloud computing in a recent analysis of Google Apps.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368310,00.asp
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Microsoft Needs To Buy Research in Motion
Microsoft is in a very unique position that they haven't experienced in my 17 years in the technology business. They're at risk of losing control of the client.
For the past 10 years or so, clients have been transitioning from a stationary box connecting them to their network and the internet to mobile devices like notebooks and more recently smartphones.
Clients are rapidly becoming more dependent on their iPhone or Droid than they are on their PC or notebook. This has Microsoft executives losing sleep at night.
Microsoft partners have been selling tablet PC's for years, but Apple releases the iPad and society treats it like a technological breakthrough! They sell millions of them within months of it's release. Without the foundation laid by the iPhone, this wouldn't have happened. Now Google is following suit with new Android based tablets being built by Motorola and distributed by Verizon. This will lead to millions of more clients switching their loyalties from a Microsoft operating system to those controlled by Apple and Google.
What the heck is happening here? Microsoft is used to controlling 95+ percent of the client marketshare and suddenly they're getting schooled and seem to not even be a player any more.
Sure, they're coming out with a new Windows 7 Mobile operating systems and telling partners that this game has hardly begun. But this isn't very comforting to me given their spotty history in the smartphone space so far.
They need to stop the bleeding and stop it quickly! They need to buy Research in Motion.
This idea isn't new. Reuters wrote an argument for this back in October of 2008.
If Microsoft aquires Blackerry, it would instantly bring them to the big boy table and make them a major player in the smartphone game.
Blackberry is still the strongest player in the smartphone enterprise space with Microsoft still controlling the majority of that backbone infrastructure. The combination of the two would be a huge blow to Google and Apple since neither one of them has been a major player in the enterprise space so far.
Will it happen? I don't know. Microsoft certainly has the financial muscle to pull it off, but there could be some antitrust concerns. I'm sure that's the first line of defense that Apple and Google would take.
There's also concerns that Microsoft would alienate many of their hardware partners who are going to be introducing the new Windows 7 phones. Microsoft has traditionally avoided the hardware game by depending on their partners to utilize their operating systems and letting them each battle it out over features, pricing, and distribution models. This works when you have 95% market share because no matter who wins the hardware battle, Microsoft would still get it's royalties. This doesn't work so well when your operating system is a 4th or 5th place player.
Microsoft does have a precedent to look at. It's called the XBOX. Microsoft realized they needed complete control over the hardware, software, and distribution model to go after entrenched competitors like Sony and Nintendo. This strategy is seeming to work pretty well for them in this space.
So make a splash Microsoft. Buy Research in Motion. Quickly consolidate their OS with Windows 7. Introduce a KILLER APP store that will help designers get rich by creating Killer Apps for Windows 7 Mobile and Blackberry. Then let the games begin!
Todd Swank
For the past 10 years or so, clients have been transitioning from a stationary box connecting them to their network and the internet to mobile devices like notebooks and more recently smartphones.
Clients are rapidly becoming more dependent on their iPhone or Droid than they are on their PC or notebook. This has Microsoft executives losing sleep at night.
Microsoft partners have been selling tablet PC's for years, but Apple releases the iPad and society treats it like a technological breakthrough! They sell millions of them within months of it's release. Without the foundation laid by the iPhone, this wouldn't have happened. Now Google is following suit with new Android based tablets being built by Motorola and distributed by Verizon. This will lead to millions of more clients switching their loyalties from a Microsoft operating system to those controlled by Apple and Google.
What the heck is happening here? Microsoft is used to controlling 95+ percent of the client marketshare and suddenly they're getting schooled and seem to not even be a player any more.
Sure, they're coming out with a new Windows 7 Mobile operating systems and telling partners that this game has hardly begun. But this isn't very comforting to me given their spotty history in the smartphone space so far.
They need to stop the bleeding and stop it quickly! They need to buy Research in Motion.
This idea isn't new. Reuters wrote an argument for this back in October of 2008.
If Microsoft aquires Blackerry, it would instantly bring them to the big boy table and make them a major player in the smartphone game.
Blackberry is still the strongest player in the smartphone enterprise space with Microsoft still controlling the majority of that backbone infrastructure. The combination of the two would be a huge blow to Google and Apple since neither one of them has been a major player in the enterprise space so far.
Will it happen? I don't know. Microsoft certainly has the financial muscle to pull it off, but there could be some antitrust concerns. I'm sure that's the first line of defense that Apple and Google would take.
There's also concerns that Microsoft would alienate many of their hardware partners who are going to be introducing the new Windows 7 phones. Microsoft has traditionally avoided the hardware game by depending on their partners to utilize their operating systems and letting them each battle it out over features, pricing, and distribution models. This works when you have 95% market share because no matter who wins the hardware battle, Microsoft would still get it's royalties. This doesn't work so well when your operating system is a 4th or 5th place player.
Microsoft does have a precedent to look at. It's called the XBOX. Microsoft realized they needed complete control over the hardware, software, and distribution model to go after entrenched competitors like Sony and Nintendo. This strategy is seeming to work pretty well for them in this space.
So make a splash Microsoft. Buy Research in Motion. Quickly consolidate their OS with Windows 7. Introduce a KILLER APP store that will help designers get rich by creating Killer Apps for Windows 7 Mobile and Blackberry. Then let the games begin!
Todd Swank
Amazon Cloud Revenue Could Exceed $500 Million In 2010
The Kindle e-reader may not be Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN)'s only cash cow.
Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing division of the Web retail company, is becoming a more important -- and more lucrative -- revenue driver for Amazon as more companies move their business-critical applications to the cloud.
So far, however, determining how much revenue Amazon has driven with AWS, which comprises Amazon's 12 cloud computing offerings like Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) platform, Simple Storage Service (S3) offering and others, has been a challenge. Amazon doesn't break AWS revenue out when it reports its quarterly earnings and instead lumps it into the "other" revenue category. Amazon has only subtly noted that its AWS sales are growing.
"We're seeing rapid growth in Kindle, Amazon Web Services, third-party sales, and retail," Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO said in the company's second quarter earnings statement, offering only a glimpse into the cloud offerings' sales.
But a recent report by UBS Investment Research shines a little more light on just how much of money AWS is bringing in for Amazon.
In a report, UBS analysts Brian Pitz and Brian Fitzgerald predict that AWS revenue will hit $500 million in 2010. In 2011 AWS revenue will hit about $750 million, the analysts predict. And come 2014 AWS could capture roughly $2.5 billion in revenue.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/226500204;jsessionid=JLLNNAVQWZVEXQE1GHRSKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing division of the Web retail company, is becoming a more important -- and more lucrative -- revenue driver for Amazon as more companies move their business-critical applications to the cloud.
So far, however, determining how much revenue Amazon has driven with AWS, which comprises Amazon's 12 cloud computing offerings like Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) platform, Simple Storage Service (S3) offering and others, has been a challenge. Amazon doesn't break AWS revenue out when it reports its quarterly earnings and instead lumps it into the "other" revenue category. Amazon has only subtly noted that its AWS sales are growing.
"We're seeing rapid growth in Kindle, Amazon Web Services, third-party sales, and retail," Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO said in the company's second quarter earnings statement, offering only a glimpse into the cloud offerings' sales.
But a recent report by UBS Investment Research shines a little more light on just how much of money AWS is bringing in for Amazon.
In a report, UBS analysts Brian Pitz and Brian Fitzgerald predict that AWS revenue will hit $500 million in 2010. In 2011 AWS revenue will hit about $750 million, the analysts predict. And come 2014 AWS could capture roughly $2.5 billion in revenue.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/226500204;jsessionid=JLLNNAVQWZVEXQE1GHRSKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Google Introduces Google Apps for Government
At a press event at its headquarters this morning, Google announced Google Apps for Government-a new version of its Google Apps productivity suite that's been certified by the US government as meeting its security requirements.
The new version is a variant of Google Apps Premier edition, and includes the same core apps: Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sites, Groups, Video, and Postini. Pricing is the same as for Google Apps Premier: $50 per user per year.
The certification says that Google Apps qualifies for is called a FISMA-Moderate rating, which means that it's authorized for use with data that's sensitive but unclassified. In addition, Google says that it's storing government Gmail and Google Calendar on servers that are isolated from those used for non-government customers, and which are located in the continental US.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/201979/google_introduces_google_apps_for_government.html?tk=hp_new
The new version is a variant of Google Apps Premier edition, and includes the same core apps: Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sites, Groups, Video, and Postini. Pricing is the same as for Google Apps Premier: $50 per user per year.
The certification says that Google Apps qualifies for is called a FISMA-Moderate rating, which means that it's authorized for use with data that's sensitive but unclassified. In addition, Google says that it's storing government Gmail and Google Calendar on servers that are isolated from those used for non-government customers, and which are located in the continental US.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/201979/google_introduces_google_apps_for_government.html?tk=hp_new
Friday, July 23, 2010
My Cloud Presentation for Microsoft
I recently did a presentation for the Microsoft OEM Partner Action Committee discussing ways to help the OEM System Builder Channel go after new opportunities found with Microsoft Online Services. Here it is:
Cloud Computing
Steve Ballmer recently said that Microsoft is “All In” when it comes to Cloud Computing. But will the channel call his bet or will they drop out of the game?
My name is Todd Swank and I’m the Vice Marketing of Nor-Tech out of Minnesota. We’re an OEM System Builder who has traditionally earned our revenues from creating hardware solutions and pre-loading them with Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Applications like Office. As customer demands have shifted over the past few years to mobile solutions, we have found ourselves forced to becoming resellers for Multi-National Manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Toshiba. Current customer demands seem to be shifting to even more and more mobile devices. Customers are demanding that their data and applications be available to them anytime, anywhere, and from any device. They’re demanding Cloud Computing. So the question becomes, how does a company that has traditionally made its money by reselling hardware solutions make the transition into a company reselling cloud services?
Lucky for us as a Microsoft Partner, we already have a lot of great products to choose from:
i. Azure --- Development and deployment platform for cloud applications
ii. Intune --- a new solution that simplifies management and security of PCs
iii. Live Services --- free programs from Microsoft for photos, instant messaging, e mail, blogging, family safety, and more.
iv. Dynamics --- cloud customer relationship management
v. Office 2010 --- Launches in a couple weeks and will most likely be the channel’s first large scale push into selling Microsoft Online Services
vi. BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite)
a. What's in it. (Sharepoint, Exchange, Office Live Communications, and Live Meeting)
b. This is where the majority of our focus has been so far because it appears to have the most developed Partner program.
c. Review what we've done
a. Multiple webinars.
b. Conference calls with Microsoft Online Services Reps.
c. signed up to be authorized resellers for BPOS and passed the assessment test, so I’m officially in the program.
d. Impressions:
1. How cool it is that it’s constantly being improved. Microsoft is continually adding enhanced features and functionality to improve customer experience. Seamless. Customers don’t have to do anything to enjoy these improvements.
2. Discuss partner program. ***Extremely impressed with the amount of training and resources Microsoft is already providing to partners for this relatively new program (marketing incentives, details business plans, multiple trainings, etc.)
Thanks to Microsoft for doing so much already to give the channel opportunities to start selling Cloud Services.
There’s plenty of reasons to get involved in selling Microsoft Online Services now:
• Microsoft has arguably the best channel program in the business. Microsoft Online Services are already off to a great start providing partners with a roadmap showing them how to take advantage of the program.
• Microsoft is generously offering partner commissions on Online Services sales into perpetuity as long as the Partner remains as the client’s POR (Partner of Record).
• Microsoft has great training programs and marketing incentives for Online Service partners. EG Giving Partners 250 seats of BPOS for testing and demonstration purposes.
There are already thousands of resellers signed up to sell Microsoft Online Services!
It’s a great program and a natural fit for resellers who already have solid practices selling enterprise agreements and have existing service businesses in products like Sharepoint and Exchange.
However, Microsoft’s system builder partners have traditionally earned their revenues selling their custom hardware solutions and will need a lot of guidance to create new revenue streams by offering Microsoft Online Services.
When I try to tell our salespeople ‘’that they need to start looking into selling Microsoft Online Services, I run into a lot of resistance:
1. Cloud Computing is going to put me out of business
2. You want me to sell what?
3. Show me the money!
There are challenges transitioning existing business models to the new models.
A Direct Revenues are going to be a challenge. $1.80 per user per month for the first year and $.60 per user per month is not going to provide a great Return on investment until partners sign up thousands of users.
B There doesn’t appear to be opportunities in Microsoft Online Services for Microsoft Partners who have built their business around selling to other Microsoft Partners and VARS.
C. Customer relationships seemingly will shift from the Partner directly to Microsoft in the long run since the customer will have the perception they’re buying direct from Microsoft and much of their service and support will be handed directly by Microsoft. This will create tension between Microsoft and its Partners.
Where’s there’s challenges, there’s always opportunities
A System builders can leverage their existing relationships with end customers and become their trusted advisor for Online Services.
B New revenue streams from services including data migration from the data center to the cloud, Sharepoint Consulting, and Exchange Consulting.
C 70% of Microsoft Online Services sales expected to be to new customers. Huge growth opportunity with SMB.
D Recurring Revenue Streams into perpetuity
Here’s some of the ideas we have to help the channel recognize the opportunities and be inspired to take advantage of them.
I think the most important thing we need to do is to explore opportunities to give system builders the incentive and ability to offer Microsoft Online Services at the time of the hardware sale.
Explore system builder exclusive promotions for BPOS
1. Desktop Icon on system builder PC that links end customer to free trial BPOS offer that pre-loads Partner of Record information for the system builder
2. Extended BPOS free trial offer for end customers buying PC’s from system builders
3. Customizable marketing flyer explaining BPOS free trial offer similar to what was done for Office 2007 and explanation how to name system builder as partner of record.
So Steve Ballmer says Microsoft is All In on Cloud Computing?
Well, the cards have been dealt, the pot is full of big money, and the players are watching each other and getting ready to make their move.
I’m excited for us to lay our cards on the table and see how we’re going to do.
Thank You!
Cloud Computing
Steve Ballmer recently said that Microsoft is “All In” when it comes to Cloud Computing. But will the channel call his bet or will they drop out of the game?
My name is Todd Swank and I’m the Vice Marketing of Nor-Tech out of Minnesota. We’re an OEM System Builder who has traditionally earned our revenues from creating hardware solutions and pre-loading them with Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Applications like Office. As customer demands have shifted over the past few years to mobile solutions, we have found ourselves forced to becoming resellers for Multi-National Manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Toshiba. Current customer demands seem to be shifting to even more and more mobile devices. Customers are demanding that their data and applications be available to them anytime, anywhere, and from any device. They’re demanding Cloud Computing. So the question becomes, how does a company that has traditionally made its money by reselling hardware solutions make the transition into a company reselling cloud services?
Lucky for us as a Microsoft Partner, we already have a lot of great products to choose from:
i. Azure --- Development and deployment platform for cloud applications
ii. Intune --- a new solution that simplifies management and security of PCs
iii. Live Services --- free programs from Microsoft for photos, instant messaging, e mail, blogging, family safety, and more.
iv. Dynamics --- cloud customer relationship management
v. Office 2010 --- Launches in a couple weeks and will most likely be the channel’s first large scale push into selling Microsoft Online Services
vi. BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite)
a. What's in it. (Sharepoint, Exchange, Office Live Communications, and Live Meeting)
b. This is where the majority of our focus has been so far because it appears to have the most developed Partner program.
c. Review what we've done
a. Multiple webinars.
b. Conference calls with Microsoft Online Services Reps.
c. signed up to be authorized resellers for BPOS and passed the assessment test, so I’m officially in the program.
d. Impressions:
1. How cool it is that it’s constantly being improved. Microsoft is continually adding enhanced features and functionality to improve customer experience. Seamless. Customers don’t have to do anything to enjoy these improvements.
2. Discuss partner program. ***Extremely impressed with the amount of training and resources Microsoft is already providing to partners for this relatively new program (marketing incentives, details business plans, multiple trainings, etc.)
Thanks to Microsoft for doing so much already to give the channel opportunities to start selling Cloud Services.
There’s plenty of reasons to get involved in selling Microsoft Online Services now:
• Microsoft has arguably the best channel program in the business. Microsoft Online Services are already off to a great start providing partners with a roadmap showing them how to take advantage of the program.
• Microsoft is generously offering partner commissions on Online Services sales into perpetuity as long as the Partner remains as the client’s POR (Partner of Record).
• Microsoft has great training programs and marketing incentives for Online Service partners. EG Giving Partners 250 seats of BPOS for testing and demonstration purposes.
There are already thousands of resellers signed up to sell Microsoft Online Services!
It’s a great program and a natural fit for resellers who already have solid practices selling enterprise agreements and have existing service businesses in products like Sharepoint and Exchange.
However, Microsoft’s system builder partners have traditionally earned their revenues selling their custom hardware solutions and will need a lot of guidance to create new revenue streams by offering Microsoft Online Services.
When I try to tell our salespeople ‘’that they need to start looking into selling Microsoft Online Services, I run into a lot of resistance:
1. Cloud Computing is going to put me out of business
2. You want me to sell what?
3. Show me the money!
There are challenges transitioning existing business models to the new models.
A Direct Revenues are going to be a challenge. $1.80 per user per month for the first year and $.60 per user per month is not going to provide a great Return on investment until partners sign up thousands of users.
B There doesn’t appear to be opportunities in Microsoft Online Services for Microsoft Partners who have built their business around selling to other Microsoft Partners and VARS.
C. Customer relationships seemingly will shift from the Partner directly to Microsoft in the long run since the customer will have the perception they’re buying direct from Microsoft and much of their service and support will be handed directly by Microsoft. This will create tension between Microsoft and its Partners.
Where’s there’s challenges, there’s always opportunities
A System builders can leverage their existing relationships with end customers and become their trusted advisor for Online Services.
B New revenue streams from services including data migration from the data center to the cloud, Sharepoint Consulting, and Exchange Consulting.
C 70% of Microsoft Online Services sales expected to be to new customers. Huge growth opportunity with SMB.
D Recurring Revenue Streams into perpetuity
Here’s some of the ideas we have to help the channel recognize the opportunities and be inspired to take advantage of them.
I think the most important thing we need to do is to explore opportunities to give system builders the incentive and ability to offer Microsoft Online Services at the time of the hardware sale.
Explore system builder exclusive promotions for BPOS
1. Desktop Icon on system builder PC that links end customer to free trial BPOS offer that pre-loads Partner of Record information for the system builder
2. Extended BPOS free trial offer for end customers buying PC’s from system builders
3. Customizable marketing flyer explaining BPOS free trial offer similar to what was done for Office 2007 and explanation how to name system builder as partner of record.
So Steve Ballmer says Microsoft is All In on Cloud Computing?
Well, the cards have been dealt, the pot is full of big money, and the players are watching each other and getting ready to make their move.
I’m excited for us to lay our cards on the table and see how we’re going to do.
Thank You!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hey Microsoft, Get Out of the Cloud
The personal computer revolution began as an attempt to move away from centralized control, allowing people to have a system that was powerful, yet individualized. Big companies who hogged computing were seen as evil. Soon everything became self-contained and desktop-centric. There was desktop publishing, desktop marketing, desktop mapping. Now everything is supposed to move to that mainframe in the sky—the cloud.
But the cloud stinks. Its applications have always been much slower than their desktop counterparts. Try to get to the end cell of a large cloud-based shreadsheet. You'll long for the desktop version. The whole process is exacerbated by the speed of the Internet. The Internet is also unreliable. A couple of weeks ago, I was down for two hours. A month ago, I lost my connection for 20-plus hours.
And where is Microsoft in all of this? The company seems to keep forgetting what business it's in. While Windows 7 and Office continue to be huge cash cows with no end in sight, the company is encouraging the idea of cloud computing by claiming that that is the direction it's headed in, as well. Huh?
Read Full Article here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358946,00.asp
But the cloud stinks. Its applications have always been much slower than their desktop counterparts. Try to get to the end cell of a large cloud-based shreadsheet. You'll long for the desktop version. The whole process is exacerbated by the speed of the Internet. The Internet is also unreliable. A couple of weeks ago, I was down for two hours. A month ago, I lost my connection for 20-plus hours.
And where is Microsoft in all of this? The company seems to keep forgetting what business it's in. While Windows 7 and Office continue to be huge cash cows with no end in sight, the company is encouraging the idea of cloud computing by claiming that that is the direction it's headed in, as well. Huh?
Read Full Article here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358946,00.asp
OpSource announces OpSource Partner Ecosystem for managed hosting and cloud solutions
Enterprise cloud and managed hosting provider OpSource, Inc.has announced the OpSource Partner Ecosystem, a comprehensive new program designed to enable integrators, developers, ISVs, development platform companies and service providers to offer integrated solutions for their joint customers.
Opsource's traditional business has been selling to enterprise customers, initially traditional software-as-a-service and ultimately to enterprise-class cloud applications in a highly virtualized environment.
"Much of our business was big direct contracts, but with the growth of the cloud business we found that about 35 percent of our customers who signed up weren't using it themselves, but were using it to implement solutions for other companies," said Treb Ryan, CEO of OpSource. "They were SIs, VARs, telecoms, cloud platform companies, who were using it to deploy and sell other solutions."
Opsource's traditional business has been selling to enterprise customers, initially traditional software-as-a-service and ultimately to enterprise-class cloud applications in a highly virtualized environment.
"Much of our business was big direct contracts, but with the growth of the cloud business we found that about 35 percent of our customers who signed up weren't using it themselves, but were using it to implement solutions for other companies," said Treb Ryan, CEO of OpSource. "They were SIs, VARs, telecoms, cloud platform companies, who were using it to deploy and sell other solutions."
Read Full Article Here:
Rackspace, NASA Open Up Cloud Computing With OpenStack Project
Rackspace on Monday launched an open source cloud computing project the company hopes will make proprietary cloud computing a thing of the past.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/225900080?cid=nl_vi
The San Antonio-based hosting and cloud king teamed up with NASA to launch a bold open-source cloud computing initiative dubbed OpenStack. Through OpenStack, an open source cloud operating system, Rackspace hopes to inch closer to cloud technology standards and cloud interoperability, said Mark Collier, Rackspace vice president of business and corporate development. With OpenStack, Rackspace hopes to facilitate "broad adoption of a standard cloud platform."
With OpenStack, Rackspace is donating the cloud computing code that powers its Cloud Files and Cloud Servers public cloud offerings. The project will also tie in the technology that powers NASA's Nebula Cloud Platform. The pair will collaborate on developing and leveraging the efforts of open-source software developers.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/225900080?cid=nl_vi
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Google Apps Gets Education Certification Partner Program
Google has launched a program to certify resellers on Google Apps Education Edition. In return, Google is offering their partners better marketing support, more training opportunities, and business visibility in the Google Apps marketplace, the search giant says. It’s all part of Google’s continued push into the education space. Here’s the skinny.
Part of the announcement involves new customer deployments. Two examples: The states of Colorado and Iowa are now offering Google Apps to their public schools, a key set of wins in the education space after Microsoft BPOS claimed the University of Arizona. And for schools wanting a self-service approach to learning the ropes, Google is promoting the Google Apps Education Training Center, which they say is designed to walk the novice through their offering.
But for Google Apps resellers, the main event, so to speak, is the Google Apps for Education Certified Partner program. To qualify as a certified partner, you need to employ at least three people who have achieved “Qualified Trainer” status by passing the online examinations and demonstrating a history of providing training and support to large clients.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.mspmentor.net/2010/06/29/google-apps-gets-education-certification-partner-program/comment-page-1/
Part of the announcement involves new customer deployments. Two examples: The states of Colorado and Iowa are now offering Google Apps to their public schools, a key set of wins in the education space after Microsoft BPOS claimed the University of Arizona. And for schools wanting a self-service approach to learning the ropes, Google is promoting the Google Apps Education Training Center, which they say is designed to walk the novice through their offering.
But for Google Apps resellers, the main event, so to speak, is the Google Apps for Education Certified Partner program. To qualify as a certified partner, you need to employ at least three people who have achieved “Qualified Trainer” status by passing the online examinations and demonstrating a history of providing training and support to large clients.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.mspmentor.net/2010/06/29/google-apps-gets-education-certification-partner-program/comment-page-1/
Microsoft shares (officially) its future BPOS plans
At this week’s Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft officials shared with attendees their “official” roadmap for updating the company’s hosted Business Productivity Online (BPOS) suite. Company officials shared which features and capabilities that the company rolled out already as part of the on-premises server complements of the BPOS products will be added to the Microsoft-hosted versions of those offerings.
I’ve run a few slides on this blog over the past couple of months, dating back to November 2009, that included much of this same information. But it wasn’t until this week that Microsoft officials acknowledged these details.
I’ve heard that customers of the Dedicated (i.e., non-shared/non-multitenant) versions of Microsoft’s BPOS and its point-product parts — Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Communications Online and Live Meeting — already have some of the 2010 feature updates. But those using the “Standard” (multitenant) versions do not.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-shares-officially-its-future-bpos-plans/6857
I’ve run a few slides on this blog over the past couple of months, dating back to November 2009, that included much of this same information. But it wasn’t until this week that Microsoft officials acknowledged these details.
I’ve heard that customers of the Dedicated (i.e., non-shared/non-multitenant) versions of Microsoft’s BPOS and its point-product parts — Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Communications Online and Live Meeting — already have some of the 2010 feature updates. But those using the “Standard” (multitenant) versions do not.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-shares-officially-its-future-bpos-plans/6857
Friday, July 16, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Microsoft’s Vision For Partners In The Cloud
Fred Studer, general manager of Microsoft's Information Worker group, says partners that go all-in with Microsoft in the cloud won't regret the decision.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Cloud Computing Services Market To Near $150 Billion In 2014
Global cloud computing services revenue is expected to hit $148.8 billion come 2014, representing a monster market opportunity for solution providers, according to recent Gartner research.
That massive boom in the cloud computing services market comes as cloud services are expected to hit $68.3 billion this year, a dramatic 16.6 percent rise compared to 2009 cloud services revenue, which was $58.6 billion.
"We are seeing an acceleration of adoption of cloud computing and cloud services among enterprises and an explosion of supply-side activity as technology providers maneuver to exploit the growing commercial opportunity," Ben Pring, research vice president at Gartner, said in a statement. "The scale of application deployments is growing; multi-thousand-seat deals are increasingly common. IT managers are thinking strategically about cloud service deployments; more-progressive enterprises are thinking through what their IT operations will look like in a world of increasing cloud service leverage. This was highly unusual a year ago."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/225700984
That massive boom in the cloud computing services market comes as cloud services are expected to hit $68.3 billion this year, a dramatic 16.6 percent rise compared to 2009 cloud services revenue, which was $58.6 billion.
"We are seeing an acceleration of adoption of cloud computing and cloud services among enterprises and an explosion of supply-side activity as technology providers maneuver to exploit the growing commercial opportunity," Ben Pring, research vice president at Gartner, said in a statement. "The scale of application deployments is growing; multi-thousand-seat deals are increasingly common. IT managers are thinking strategically about cloud service deployments; more-progressive enterprises are thinking through what their IT operations will look like in a world of increasing cloud service leverage. This was highly unusual a year ago."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/225700984
Monday, June 14, 2010
Users Will Dump PC, Head For Cloud: Pew Research Center
Cloud computing will eclipse the traditional desktop by the end of this decade as a majority of people will use the Internet for applications and accessing information, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.
By 2010, the majority of computer users will be using Internet-based applications and devices such as smartphones instead of general purpose PCs as their primary means of accessing IT, according to 71 percent of the respondents to a survey by the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit research center.
Only 27 percent of respondents believed the opposite, that the majority of users will still access applications using general purpose PC, according to the report.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/225600454?cid=nl_stor
By 2010, the majority of computer users will be using Internet-based applications and devices such as smartphones instead of general purpose PCs as their primary means of accessing IT, according to 71 percent of the respondents to a survey by the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit research center.
Only 27 percent of respondents believed the opposite, that the majority of users will still access applications using general purpose PC, according to the report.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/225600454?cid=nl_stor
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Google Apps Poster Child Switches to Microsoft BPOS
Just a little more than a year after touting its move from Microsoft Exchange to Google Gmail, Serena Software has decided to make the switch back to Microsoft and dump its Google Apps support.
Unlike the University of California, Davis, which dumped Gmail over security and privacy concerns earlier this month, Serena's reason was much more old school and basic. In short, it all came down to cost. Microsoft came back to Serena with an offer the ALM (application lifecycle management) software company could not afford to refuse, sources said.
Indeed, sources close to the situation said Microsoft offered Serena a price point for its enterprise software that included on-premise software, Microsoft's new Business Productivity Online Service Suite (BPOS) and migration services. The deal was simply too good to pass up. Microsoft Business Productivity Online Standard Suite is a set of messaging and a collaboration solution hosted by Microsoft, and consists of Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Live Meeting and Office Communications Online.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Cloud-Computing/Google-Apps-Poster-Child-Switches-to-Microsoft-BPOS-171445/
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Appirio Bets On The Cloud ... And Wins
Appirio gets it.
The company steps into the ring, gloves laced and ready for battle. When the bell rings, it strikes with speed, agility and precision.
In the world of cloud computing solution providers, consider Appirio the Manny Pacquiao: pound for pound one of the best in the biz.
In less than four years, San Mateo, Calif.-based Appirio has grown from its four founding fathers to more than 200 strong and has done so with a jarring one-two cloud partner punch with Salesforce.com and Google (NSDQ:GOOG). Add other key vendors such as Workday and Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN), and Appirio is a leader in offering myriad products and professional services in the cloud.
But to hear Ryan Nichols, Appirio's head of cloud sourcing and cloud strategy, tell it, the cloud sort of formed around Appirio.
"When Appirio was founded three years ago, even we didn't call it the cloud," said Nichols.
Appirio first signed on with Salesforce.com when it launched in 2006. Shortly thereafter it built a Google practice around Google Apps. With those two powerful partners in its corner, Appirio made the move from Software-as-a-Service to what are now known as cloud platforms. Appirio marries consulting and product development with cloud technologies to help customers forge a new business path.
Today, the biggest part of Appirio's business is building custom applications on top of those cloud platforms, Nichols said. Appirio is credited with building a good number of the best-selling applications in Salesforce.com's AppExchange and for devising applications that tie together Salesforce and Google Apps and Salesforce and Facebook.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/224200059
The company steps into the ring, gloves laced and ready for battle. When the bell rings, it strikes with speed, agility and precision.
In the world of cloud computing solution providers, consider Appirio the Manny Pacquiao: pound for pound one of the best in the biz.
In less than four years, San Mateo, Calif.-based Appirio has grown from its four founding fathers to more than 200 strong and has done so with a jarring one-two cloud partner punch with Salesforce.com and Google (NSDQ:GOOG). Add other key vendors such as Workday and Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN), and Appirio is a leader in offering myriad products and professional services in the cloud.
But to hear Ryan Nichols, Appirio's head of cloud sourcing and cloud strategy, tell it, the cloud sort of formed around Appirio.
"When Appirio was founded three years ago, even we didn't call it the cloud," said Nichols.
Appirio first signed on with Salesforce.com when it launched in 2006. Shortly thereafter it built a Google practice around Google Apps. With those two powerful partners in its corner, Appirio made the move from Software-as-a-Service to what are now known as cloud platforms. Appirio marries consulting and product development with cloud technologies to help customers forge a new business path.
Today, the biggest part of Appirio's business is building custom applications on top of those cloud platforms, Nichols said. Appirio is credited with building a good number of the best-selling applications in Salesforce.com's AppExchange and for devising applications that tie together Salesforce and Google Apps and Salesforce and Facebook.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/224200059
All About The Cloud: Microsoft Reaffirms Cloud Computing Commitment
The investment and the drive to capture cloud mindshare with Windows Azure and Office 2010, Hauger said, proves Microsoft is serious about the cloud and that it can attack the five key dimensions of cloud computing head on.
“There are some dimensions of the cloud that have become fairly apparent,” he said. Hauger said those dimensions are:
http://www.crn.com/software/224701573
“There are some dimensions of the cloud that have become fairly apparent,” he said. Hauger said those dimensions are:
- The cloud creates opportunities and responsibilities.
- The cloud learns and helps you learn, decide and take action.
- The cloud enhances your social and professional interactions.
- The cloud wants smarter devices.
- The cloud drives server advances that drive the cloud.
http://www.crn.com/software/224701573
Monday, April 19, 2010
Microsoft Brings Desktop Management To The Cloud
Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) Monday rolled out a limited beta of Windows Intune, a new cloud desktop management service aimed specifically at midmarket firms that need to remotely manage and secure PCs in branch offices.
Midmarket firms -- which Microsoft defines as having between 25 and 500 PCs -- don't often have large IT teams, and they usually scrape by with just one or two employees. In Microsoft's view, this makes them logical candidates for cloud services.
Microsoft says it's seeing a solid trend of midmarket customers migrating to cloud services, so the software giant is moving desktop management to the cloud as well.
"Windows Intune is a complete desktop infrastructure management solution-in-the-cloud that simplifies management and security of PCs, no matter where users are located," said Sandrine Skinner, a product marketing manager on the Windows Client team, in an interview.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/224400646;jsessionid=5GSVXRYL2DPPDQE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_vi
Midmarket firms -- which Microsoft defines as having between 25 and 500 PCs -- don't often have large IT teams, and they usually scrape by with just one or two employees. In Microsoft's view, this makes them logical candidates for cloud services.
Microsoft says it's seeing a solid trend of midmarket customers migrating to cloud services, so the software giant is moving desktop management to the cloud as well.
"Windows Intune is a complete desktop infrastructure management solution-in-the-cloud that simplifies management and security of PCs, no matter where users are located," said Sandrine Skinner, a product marketing manager on the Windows Client team, in an interview.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/224400646;jsessionid=5GSVXRYL2DPPDQE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_vi
Thursday, April 15, 2010
IBM Links Salesforce.com And LotusLive, Launches $7 Cloud Bundle
IBM (NYSE:IBM) wants to break down the silos of cloud services and has revealed plans to integrate a host of cloud applications into its LotusLive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) collaboration suite. IBM on Wednesday said LotusLive will now integrate with cloud-based services from Salesforce.com, shipping giant UPS, Skype and Silanis e-signature.
Along with the integrations, IBM unveiled a new cloud computing bundle of enterprise-class e-mail and social networking tools that Big Blue promises for only $7 per user, per month. The bundle wraps together the capabilities of the LotusLive iNotes Web-mail, messaging and calendar offering, and the LotusLive Connections social networking and collaboration platform. Combined, the bundle offers businesses file storage and sharing, activity management, instant messaging and social networking services. IBM said the bundle takes advantage of the cloud by letting users work with anyone from anywhere over the LotusLive collaboration suite.
The cloud-focused moves by IBM are the computing behemoth's attempt at breaking down the barriers between cloud applications and streamlining business processes by enabling access to various business-necessary apps directly through its LotusLive offerings.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/224400261
Along with the integrations, IBM unveiled a new cloud computing bundle of enterprise-class e-mail and social networking tools that Big Blue promises for only $7 per user, per month. The bundle wraps together the capabilities of the LotusLive iNotes Web-mail, messaging and calendar offering, and the LotusLive Connections social networking and collaboration platform. Combined, the bundle offers businesses file storage and sharing, activity management, instant messaging and social networking services. IBM said the bundle takes advantage of the cloud by letting users work with anyone from anywhere over the LotusLive collaboration suite.
The cloud-focused moves by IBM are the computing behemoth's attempt at breaking down the barriers between cloud applications and streamlining business processes by enabling access to various business-necessary apps directly through its LotusLive offerings.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/224400261
Friday, April 9, 2010
10 Cloud Tips From NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson
"Companies are not failing when they make the leap, they're failing when they don't make the leap. If you don't make this leap you are definitely going out of business. I don't know what's going to happen if you do it, but if you don't you're definitely going out of business. I think they see that writing on the wall."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/224201550;jsessionid=WN2SGTWBW3WCJQE1GHRSKH4ATMY32JVN?pgno=1
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/224201550;jsessionid=WN2SGTWBW3WCJQE1GHRSKH4ATMY32JVN?pgno=1
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Why The iPad Changes Everything For Business Computing
For those of you that have missed how the iPhone is being used to deliver private and public clouds, go right to Wyse Technology and check out the company's PocketCloud for the iPad and the iPhone.
Wyse's $30 app downloadable from the Apple (NSDQ:AAPL) App Store is right now being used on 10,000 Apple smartphones to access cloud applications of all kinds.
Tarken Maner, the hard-driving president and CEO of Wyse, sees that number growing by an order of magnitude with the release of Wyse's iPad PocketCloud application. "We will be on every iPad," boasts Maner. "This is the killer application. This is a Tablet business PC running Windows 7 on a Mac OS! How crazy is that."
Maner says that VARs that don't get on board and start moving customers to thin clients like iPad and smartphone are going to miss out on a major shift in how business is done in corporate America.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/mobile/224201232?cid=nl_crn
Wyse's $30 app downloadable from the Apple (NSDQ:AAPL) App Store is right now being used on 10,000 Apple smartphones to access cloud applications of all kinds.
Tarken Maner, the hard-driving president and CEO of Wyse, sees that number growing by an order of magnitude with the release of Wyse's iPad PocketCloud application. "We will be on every iPad," boasts Maner. "This is the killer application. This is a Tablet business PC running Windows 7 on a Mac OS! How crazy is that."
Maner says that VARs that don't get on board and start moving customers to thin clients like iPad and smartphone are going to miss out on a major shift in how business is done in corporate America.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/mobile/224201232?cid=nl_crn
Friday, March 12, 2010
RackspaceHosting restructuring cloud apps partner program
Hosting and cloud computig provider RackspaceHosting has announced at its Rackspace Email & Apps Reseller Conference that the cloud-based applications division has plans to restructure its reseller program, which will emphasize the company's commitment to channel partners through increased revenue opportunities, new training and marketing resources, and an expanded product portfolio. The announcement parallels recent updates from Rackspace to boost partner programs for Managed Services and The Rackspace Cloud to aggressively grow the company's presence in the channel.
"We've always had the sense we needed to put more resources into our reseller channel marketing, and now is the time to step up our offerings," said Kirk Averett, Director of Product, Email & Apps Division at Rackspace. "We are seeing increased demand for hosted email applications, from people who didn't think they needed to consider this type of application in the past -- especially as some big names have gotten into the market."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=25522
"We've always had the sense we needed to put more resources into our reseller channel marketing, and now is the time to step up our offerings," said Kirk Averett, Director of Product, Email & Apps Division at Rackspace. "We are seeing increased demand for hosted email applications, from people who didn't think they needed to consider this type of application in the past -- especially as some big names have gotten into the market."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=25522
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Google Launches Online Marketplace For Cloud Applications
Google has launched an online marketplace where third-party suppliers of on-demand applications that supplement Google's own applications can show off their wares.
Taking a page from the strategy books of Apple's App Store and other online software marketplaces, the new Google Apps Marketplace offers cloud-based applications that integrate with Google Apps. At the time of the launch late Tuesday Google said more than 50 companies were participating.
Google Apps today includes the company's email, calendar and Google Docs document, spreadsheet and presentation applications, among others.
"We're often asked when we'll offer a wider variety of business applications " from accounting and project management to travel planning and human resources management," said product manager Chris Vander Mey in a statement. "But we certainly can't and won't do it all, and there are hundreds of business applications for which we have no particular expertise."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223400077?cid=nl_crn
Taking a page from the strategy books of Apple's App Store and other online software marketplaces, the new Google Apps Marketplace offers cloud-based applications that integrate with Google Apps. At the time of the launch late Tuesday Google said more than 50 companies were participating.
Google Apps today includes the company's email, calendar and Google Docs document, spreadsheet and presentation applications, among others.
"We're often asked when we'll offer a wider variety of business applications " from accounting and project management to travel planning and human resources management," said product manager Chris Vander Mey in a statement. "But we certainly can't and won't do it all, and there are hundreds of business applications for which we have no particular expertise."
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223400077?cid=nl_crn
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
10 Cloud Computing Channel Programs You Need To Know Now
Winning In The Cloud
Whether you're fully enmeshed in cloud computing or just dipping a toe in the cloud waters, in many cases it's going to be up to vendors to get you up to speed. Selling into the cloud is dramatically different than hardware sales and selling software licenses. Solution providers have to be ready to embrace monthly annuity payments and change their business models to accommodate them. They also have to sharpen their services focus to help customers adjust to new computing, storage and application environments.
Here we look at 10 vendors who get it. Ten vendors who have launched cloud-focused channel programs that enable their partners to go out and engage customers while ensuring those solution providers will have success doing so.
These are the ones to beat.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/223300132;jsessionid=X1PY4BVZE42PVQE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?pgno=1
Whether you're fully enmeshed in cloud computing or just dipping a toe in the cloud waters, in many cases it's going to be up to vendors to get you up to speed. Selling into the cloud is dramatically different than hardware sales and selling software licenses. Solution providers have to be ready to embrace monthly annuity payments and change their business models to accommodate them. They also have to sharpen their services focus to help customers adjust to new computing, storage and application environments.
Here we look at 10 vendors who get it. Ten vendors who have launched cloud-focused channel programs that enable their partners to go out and engage customers while ensuring those solution providers will have success doing so.
These are the ones to beat.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/223300132;jsessionid=X1PY4BVZE42PVQE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?pgno=1
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Microsoft Targets Cloud Partners With BPOS Incentives
With cloud computing square in its sights, Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) Corp. at XChange Solution Provider this week in Los Angeles detailed a new lineup of cash and marketing incentives that the software giant said will help partners sell into cloud environments.
Fred Studer, general manager of Microsoft's Information Worker group, said the new incentives show Microsoft is serious about the cloud and it wants to fuel partner success. The new incentives come after CEO Steve Ballmer last week outlined Microsoft's overall strategy for cloud computing.
To help on-board partners, Microsoft has launched a cloud-focused partner Web site for partners building or extending cloud practices. Dubbed QuickStartOnlineServices.com, the site offers partners access to cloud assets such as marketing plans, marketing templates, call scripts, and other customizable marketing materials. It also offers tools such as an RFP template, business plan building tools, migration tools and tips on how to deliver in cloud environments.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223300057;jsessionid=JR5MBZFACJZBLQE1GHPCKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_vi
Fred Studer, general manager of Microsoft's Information Worker group, said the new incentives show Microsoft is serious about the cloud and it wants to fuel partner success. The new incentives come after CEO Steve Ballmer last week outlined Microsoft's overall strategy for cloud computing.
To help on-board partners, Microsoft has launched a cloud-focused partner Web site for partners building or extending cloud practices. Dubbed QuickStartOnlineServices.com, the site offers partners access to cloud assets such as marketing plans, marketing templates, call scripts, and other customizable marketing materials. It also offers tools such as an RFP template, business plan building tools, migration tools and tips on how to deliver in cloud environments.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223300057;jsessionid=JR5MBZFACJZBLQE1GHPCKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_vi
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Competing With The Cloud
A major benefit of cloud computing, according to its proponents, is that it reduces the amount of computer hardware and IT infrastructure companies need to run their businesses. So you would think that cloud computing would be bad news for custom system builders who make their living assembling computer hardware for their customers.
"It's a complete reversal from the traditional custom system builder approach," said Todd Swank, marketing vice president at Nor-Tech, a Burnsville, Minn.-based custom system builder. "We start with the hardware sale and the cloud is all about not having hardware."
"We're trying to figure out how this affects our hardware sales," agreed Joe Toste, sales and marketing vice president at Equus Computer Systems, a Minneapolis-based custom system builder.
But while the growing adoption of cloud computing could spell trouble for custom system builders, Swank is convinced there's a golden opportunity in them thar cloud systems. "It's going to be the wave of the future and how we make money on it is the question I'm trying to figure out," he said.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/223100587;jsessionid=RDNEPPL0IRRW3QE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?pgno=1
"It's a complete reversal from the traditional custom system builder approach," said Todd Swank, marketing vice president at Nor-Tech, a Burnsville, Minn.-based custom system builder. "We start with the hardware sale and the cloud is all about not having hardware."
"We're trying to figure out how this affects our hardware sales," agreed Joe Toste, sales and marketing vice president at Equus Computer Systems, a Minneapolis-based custom system builder.
But while the growing adoption of cloud computing could spell trouble for custom system builders, Swank is convinced there's a golden opportunity in them thar cloud systems. "It's going to be the wave of the future and how we make money on it is the question I'm trying to figure out," he said.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/managed-services/223100587;jsessionid=RDNEPPL0IRRW3QE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?pgno=1
Friday, February 26, 2010
Google Set To Challenge Microsoft In The Channel
Google (NSDQ:GOOG) and Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) compete vigorously in areas like search, mobile devices, and SaaS applications, but when it comes to the channel, there's no comparing the two companies. This week, as Google celebrates the one-year anniversary of its Google Apps Authorized Reseller Program, the notion of Google becoming as synonymous with the channel as Microsoft is doesn't seem as far-fetched as it used to.
That's not to suggest that Google hasn't encountered difficulties along the way. Solution providers tend to regard vendor newcomers to the channel with the cold, appraising eye of a father sizing up his teenage daughter's first boyfriend. So when Google launched its program last February, many VARs that have built businesses around face-to-face interactions were skeptical. And in some early cases, their suspicions were confirmed.
Some VARs that tried to engage with Google were irked by being unable to reach a human company representative, and didn't appreciate being steered instead to Google's Web-based support. Daniel Duffy, CEO of Valley Network Solutions, a solution provider in Fresno, Calif., says that based on what he's seen from Google thus far, the company isn't quite ready to build meaningful channel relationships.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223100778;jsessionid=VLW55XGQBA4YJQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
That's not to suggest that Google hasn't encountered difficulties along the way. Solution providers tend to regard vendor newcomers to the channel with the cold, appraising eye of a father sizing up his teenage daughter's first boyfriend. So when Google launched its program last February, many VARs that have built businesses around face-to-face interactions were skeptical. And in some early cases, their suspicions were confirmed.
Some VARs that tried to engage with Google were irked by being unable to reach a human company representative, and didn't appreciate being steered instead to Google's Web-based support. Daniel Duffy, CEO of Valley Network Solutions, a solution provider in Fresno, Calif., says that based on what he's seen from Google thus far, the company isn't quite ready to build meaningful channel relationships.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223100778;jsessionid=VLW55XGQBA4YJQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Double-Take Software on Monday said it is partnering with Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN) on a real-time workload and storage recovery platform combining its data protection software with Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).
Double-Take Software on Monday said it is partnering with Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN) on a real-time workload and storage recovery platform combining its data protection software with Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).
The company's new Double-Take Cloud disaster recovery offering lets customers quickly recover operations to the cloud in case of a disaster at their production site, said Peter Laudenslager, senior manager for the cloud recovery program at Southborough, Mass.-based Double-Take.
It is aimed at customers who either do not have access to a remote disaster recovery site, or whose remote site is already maxed out in terms of power or other resources, Laudenslager said.
Double-Take Cloud is based on the company's data protection software, which includes such storage services as replication and rapid recovery, and adds Amazon EC2 on the back end, Laudenslager said.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/storage/223100214?cid=nl_stor
The company's new Double-Take Cloud disaster recovery offering lets customers quickly recover operations to the cloud in case of a disaster at their production site, said Peter Laudenslager, senior manager for the cloud recovery program at Southborough, Mass.-based Double-Take.
It is aimed at customers who either do not have access to a remote disaster recovery site, or whose remote site is already maxed out in terms of power or other resources, Laudenslager said.
Double-Take Cloud is based on the company's data protection software, which includes such storage services as replication and rapid recovery, and adds Amazon EC2 on the back end, Laudenslager said.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/storage/223100214?cid=nl_stor
Rackspace Cloud introduces first comprehensive partner program for cloud computing
The Rackspace Cloud, the cloud computing division of Rackspace Hosting has announced its' new Partner Program for resellers and affiliates. The emphasis was on designing a flexible program that streamlines interactions between the company and its solution partners, and which makes it easy to do business with Rackspace Hosting.
With the new program, these partners can leverage simple set-up, sign-up and payment processes, both for themselves and their customers. The program includes online resources such as a web portal for tracking and reporting; webinars and marketing collateral; opportunities for co-marketing; and open, standards-based APIs that are easy to build upon. The Rackspace Cloud also provides end-user billing and end-user support services to help eliminate time-consuming tasks from the partner's day-to-day business.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=25479
With the new program, these partners can leverage simple set-up, sign-up and payment processes, both for themselves and their customers. The program includes online resources such as a web portal for tracking and reporting; webinars and marketing collateral; opportunities for co-marketing; and open, standards-based APIs that are easy to build upon. The Rackspace Cloud also provides end-user billing and end-user support services to help eliminate time-consuming tasks from the partner's day-to-day business.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=25479
Friday, February 19, 2010
A Cloud Turning Point For A Microsoft Dynamics VAR
Simon Whittle, the COO of The AIS Group , a longtime Berkeley, Calif. Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) Dynamics GP accounting solution provider, decided it was time to add a cloud solution last summer after losing a number of deals to cloud/SaaS pioneer NetSuite.
The "tipping point" came after a notoriously conservative financial customer that The AIS Group had worked with in the past decided to go with NetSuite rather than Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Whittle says The AIS Group was "surprised" by the customer's decision, given what had been a hesitancy among financial customers to "give up control of IT and data management for obvious reasons including regulatory" requirements.
The customer was impressed by NetSuite's ability to offer a global solution via the Web with full Asian double byte language support. That meant full support for Asian countries where the customer was doing some outsourcing. That language support and NetSuite's ability to provide solid 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week support were critical factors.
That deal was also a wake-up call of sorts for The AIS Group, which decided to look at becoming a NetSuite partner. To The AIS Group's pleasant surprise, a number of the executives from NetSuite had their roots in the ACCPAC Software that The AIS Group had sold at one time.
"The NetSuite guys heading up the channel were all old industry guys," he said. "They had been around the block just like us." That made the move more comfortable for The AIS Group which brought on the NetSuite product line last October.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223000203?cid=nl_crn
The "tipping point" came after a notoriously conservative financial customer that The AIS Group had worked with in the past decided to go with NetSuite rather than Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Whittle says The AIS Group was "surprised" by the customer's decision, given what had been a hesitancy among financial customers to "give up control of IT and data management for obvious reasons including regulatory" requirements.
The customer was impressed by NetSuite's ability to offer a global solution via the Web with full Asian double byte language support. That meant full support for Asian countries where the customer was doing some outsourcing. That language support and NetSuite's ability to provide solid 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week support were critical factors.
That deal was also a wake-up call of sorts for The AIS Group, which decided to look at becoming a NetSuite partner. To The AIS Group's pleasant surprise, a number of the executives from NetSuite had their roots in the ACCPAC Software that The AIS Group had sold at one time.
"The NetSuite guys heading up the channel were all old industry guys," he said. "They had been around the block just like us." That made the move more comfortable for The AIS Group which brought on the NetSuite product line last October.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/223000203?cid=nl_crn
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Clash of the technology titans
The largest technology companies in the world are at war.
Sure, the executives who run Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, and others appear to play nice: Cisco touts the "regular dialogue" between its CEO, John Chambers, and IBM's chief executive, Sam Palmisano. Ann Livermore, an HP executive vice president, spoke at Oracle's annual customer event in October and extolled the virtues of their partnership. And because large customers buy software, gear, and services from all the tech giants, their staffs must work together to get computers and networks up and running.
Don't be fooled by the handshakes and air kisses. Increasingly these titans are invading one another's territories in a bid to grab as much of the $1.5 trillion in projected 2010 worldwide corporate tech spending as they possibly can — and it's going to get bloody.
Customers have cut their tech purchases, and when they do loosen their purse strings, they are buying software and services that help them run their systems more cheaply. To boost sales and profits in this low-growth environment, technology companies are bulking up by buying companies in entirely new businesses.
Read Full Article Here:
http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/01/13/clash-of-the-technology-titans/
Sure, the executives who run Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, and others appear to play nice: Cisco touts the "regular dialogue" between its CEO, John Chambers, and IBM's chief executive, Sam Palmisano. Ann Livermore, an HP executive vice president, spoke at Oracle's annual customer event in October and extolled the virtues of their partnership. And because large customers buy software, gear, and services from all the tech giants, their staffs must work together to get computers and networks up and running.
Don't be fooled by the handshakes and air kisses. Increasingly these titans are invading one another's territories in a bid to grab as much of the $1.5 trillion in projected 2010 worldwide corporate tech spending as they possibly can — and it's going to get bloody.
Customers have cut their tech purchases, and when they do loosen their purse strings, they are buying software and services that help them run their systems more cheaply. To boost sales and profits in this low-growth environment, technology companies are bulking up by buying companies in entirely new businesses.
Read Full Article Here:
http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/01/13/clash-of-the-technology-titans/
ThinkGrid Cloud Channel Program Aims To Woo Microsoft BPOS Partners
U.K.-based ThinkGrid is looking to take the U.S. channel by storm and already has its sights set on what will surely be its largest competitor: Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT).
"Some of the big vendors you associate with being channel-friendly are becoming channel-unfriendly," ThinkGrid CEO Rob Lovell said in an interview. Specifically, Lovell called out Microsoft and its BPOS SaaS application suite channel saying Microsoft BPOS VARs tend to receive thin margins.
ThinkGrid is looking to take on Microsoft and woo away its BPOS partners as it prepares to launch its first official channel program in the U.S. after 18 months in the UK.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222700320?cid=nl_crn
"Some of the big vendors you associate with being channel-friendly are becoming channel-unfriendly," ThinkGrid CEO Rob Lovell said in an interview. Specifically, Lovell called out Microsoft and its BPOS SaaS application suite channel saying Microsoft BPOS VARs tend to receive thin margins.
ThinkGrid is looking to take on Microsoft and woo away its BPOS partners as it prepares to launch its first official channel program in the U.S. after 18 months in the UK.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222700320?cid=nl_crn
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Cloud Price War: Amazon Drops AWS Rates As Microsoft Windows Azure Goes Live
Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN) has reduced its pricing structure for outbound data transfers in Amazon Web Services (AWS) dropping it by two cents per GB across all of its services.
The move comes as Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) officially launches its Windows Azure cloud computing platform as a pay service, prompting some industry watchers to see the AWS rate decrease as a signal of a price war about to erupt.
According to Amazon, the reduced charges include Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, Amazon SimpleDB, Amazon SQS, Amazon RDS and Amazon VPC.
"We are constantly working to drive our costs down and become more operationally efficient," Amazon's Jeff Barr wrote in a blog post. "We then pass on those cost savings to our customers in the form of lower prices."
Effective February 1, AWS reduced the price of the first 10 TB per month from 17 cents per GB to 15 cents; the next 40 TB per month is reduced from 13 cents to 11 cents; the next 100 TB per month is lowered from 11 centers to 9 cents per GB; and over 150 TB per month is now reduced from 10 cents to 8 cents.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222600873?cid=nl_crn
The move comes as Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) officially launches its Windows Azure cloud computing platform as a pay service, prompting some industry watchers to see the AWS rate decrease as a signal of a price war about to erupt.
According to Amazon, the reduced charges include Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, Amazon SimpleDB, Amazon SQS, Amazon RDS and Amazon VPC.
"We are constantly working to drive our costs down and become more operationally efficient," Amazon's Jeff Barr wrote in a blog post. "We then pass on those cost savings to our customers in the form of lower prices."
Effective February 1, AWS reduced the price of the first 10 TB per month from 17 cents per GB to 15 cents; the next 40 TB per month is reduced from 13 cents to 11 cents; the next 100 TB per month is lowered from 11 centers to 9 cents per GB; and over 150 TB per month is now reduced from 10 cents to 8 cents.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222600873?cid=nl_crn
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Microsoft Starts Charging For Windows Azure
Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) on Monday launched its Windows Azure cloud computing platform as a paid service, but smaller companies are unlikely to be among its first customers. That's because Azure doesn't currently include a pricing option that makes sense for smaller applications.
It's hardly a new issue: Developers have been talking about this since last July when Microsoft revealed its pricing model for Azure. But with Microsoft now going up against established cloud computing competitors such as Google, Salesforce.com and Amazon, it could impede Microsoft's progress in the market.
With Azure, Microsoft charges 12 cents an hour for 'compute time,' which means that even a small Azure instance costs around $86.40 per month, plus storage and bandwidth charges. According to Roger Jennings, an independent .Net developer and principal consultant of OakLeaf Systems, Oakland, Calif., this locks out very small, low traffic Web sites that typically use much cheaper shared hosting options.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222600706?cid=nl_crn
It's hardly a new issue: Developers have been talking about this since last July when Microsoft revealed its pricing model for Azure. But with Microsoft now going up against established cloud computing competitors such as Google, Salesforce.com and Amazon, it could impede Microsoft's progress in the market.
With Azure, Microsoft charges 12 cents an hour for 'compute time,' which means that even a small Azure instance costs around $86.40 per month, plus storage and bandwidth charges. According to Roger Jennings, an independent .Net developer and principal consultant of OakLeaf Systems, Oakland, Calif., this locks out very small, low traffic Web sites that typically use much cheaper shared hosting options.
Read full article here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222600706?cid=nl_crn
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Microsoft, Intuit Target SMBs In Cloud Deal
Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) and Intuit (NSDQ:INTU) are teaming up to make it easier for developers to build SMB-focused software-as-a-service applications that integrate with the popular Quickbooks financial application.
As part of this tie-up, Intuit on Wednesday released a Windows Azure software development kit for its Intuit Partner Platform, which comes with APIs for single sign-on, billing, and data integration. The idea is to enable Azure developers to build apps on Intuit's platform and sell them on Intuit's App Center, which already includes a range of SMB focused tools, according to Alex Chriss, director of the Intuit Partner Platform.
Windows Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing development platform, is currently in production and will launch as a paid service on Feb. 1. For developers getting their feet wet in Azure, the Intuit deal offers access to Quickbook's user base of more than 27 million. Intuit channel partners, meanwhile, will gain access to a broader array of offerings.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222301738?cid=nl_crn
As part of this tie-up, Intuit on Wednesday released a Windows Azure software development kit for its Intuit Partner Platform, which comes with APIs for single sign-on, billing, and data integration. The idea is to enable Azure developers to build apps on Intuit's platform and sell them on Intuit's App Center, which already includes a range of SMB focused tools, according to Alex Chriss, director of the Intuit Partner Platform.
Windows Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing development platform, is currently in production and will launch as a paid service on Feb. 1. For developers getting their feet wet in Azure, the Intuit deal offers access to Quickbook's user base of more than 27 million. Intuit channel partners, meanwhile, will gain access to a broader array of offerings.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222301738?cid=nl_crn
Enomaly Unveils Cloud Platform Partner Program
Cloud computing platform vendor Enomaly has launched a partner program designed to boost the delivery of cloud computing solutions to service providers, such as carriers, hosting companies and others via a network of vendor partners, system integrators and service providers.
The Enomaly Partner Program is a global effort comprising partnerships with hardware technology vendors, cloud and storage companies, SIs and service providers all tied together to deliver local support and services to Enomaly customers in North America, Asia and Europe.
Toronto-based Enomaly released its first cloud platform in 2004. Since then, its Elastic Cloud Platform (ECP) product line has evolved. Enomaly now offers the ECP "cloud in a box" product in a Service Provider Edition and a High Assurance Edition. Essentially, Enomaly delivers a customizable cloud platform that enables service providers, telcos, systems integrators and resellers to offer cloud services to their customers.
"Enomaly is focused on making it very easy and simple to deploy," said Miriam Tuerk, a strategic advisor with Enomaly, adding that VARs can get customers up and running with a full swath of cloud services in four to six weeks.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222301678;jsessionid=SHMD3TQ3P3JUZQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
The Enomaly Partner Program is a global effort comprising partnerships with hardware technology vendors, cloud and storage companies, SIs and service providers all tied together to deliver local support and services to Enomaly customers in North America, Asia and Europe.
Toronto-based Enomaly released its first cloud platform in 2004. Since then, its Elastic Cloud Platform (ECP) product line has evolved. Enomaly now offers the ECP "cloud in a box" product in a Service Provider Edition and a High Assurance Edition. Essentially, Enomaly delivers a customizable cloud platform that enables service providers, telcos, systems integrators and resellers to offer cloud services to their customers.
"Enomaly is focused on making it very easy and simple to deploy," said Miriam Tuerk, a strategic advisor with Enomaly, adding that VARs can get customers up and running with a full swath of cloud services in four to six weeks.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222301678;jsessionid=SHMD3TQ3P3JUZQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Thursday, January 14, 2010
HP, Microsoft team up on $250 million cloud computing project
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft said Wednesday they will jointly spend $250 million to develop hardware and software products that are designed to work together smoothly in their customers’ data centers and in cloud computing facilities.
"This is all about integrating technology and making things as close to ’plug and play’ as we can," HP CEO Mark Hurd said during a telephone conference call with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and other executives, in which they announced a partnership that appears to represent another move toward consolidation in the commercial tech industry.
The two tech giants said they will collaborate in designing a full "stack" of data center hardware, software management tools and other applications, as well as on Windows Azure, which is Microsoft’s operating platform for cloud computing, in which customers can access data center services over the Internet.
Read Full Article Here:
http://news.bostonherald.com/jobfind/news/technology/view/20100114hp_microsoft_team_up_on_250_million_cloud_computing_project/srvc=home&position=also
"This is all about integrating technology and making things as close to ’plug and play’ as we can," HP CEO Mark Hurd said during a telephone conference call with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and other executives, in which they announced a partnership that appears to represent another move toward consolidation in the commercial tech industry.
The two tech giants said they will collaborate in designing a full "stack" of data center hardware, software management tools and other applications, as well as on Windows Azure, which is Microsoft’s operating platform for cloud computing, in which customers can access data center services over the Internet.
Read Full Article Here:
http://news.bostonherald.com/jobfind/news/technology/view/20100114hp_microsoft_team_up_on_250_million_cloud_computing_project/srvc=home&position=also
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Google Docs Becomes Google ‘Any File’ as Cloud Wars Heat Up
Google is now offering a small virtual hard drive in the cloud so you can access all sorts of files anywhere — the latest salvo in an arms race to become the dominant player in cloud services.
As with many Google initiatives, this one may be deceptively modest: When it is completely rolled out, Google Docs will accept uploads of any kind of file — not just text and spreadsheets. That move heightens their competition with Microsoft, and takes on Apple and a number of small startups in the business of creating backup and storage space on remote servers.
This business is suddenly becoming viable with the ubiquity of broadband connectivity (which makes things almost as accessible as they’d be on your hard drive) and the popularity of netbooks (which are usually light on internal storage). Cloud computing also makes it possible never to lose data when you drop your beloved laptop, or when you don’t have it with you.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/01/google-docs-storag/
As with many Google initiatives, this one may be deceptively modest: When it is completely rolled out, Google Docs will accept uploads of any kind of file — not just text and spreadsheets. That move heightens their competition with Microsoft, and takes on Apple and a number of small startups in the business of creating backup and storage space on remote servers.
This business is suddenly becoming viable with the ubiquity of broadband connectivity (which makes things almost as accessible as they’d be on your hard drive) and the popularity of netbooks (which are usually light on internal storage). Cloud computing also makes it possible never to lose data when you drop your beloved laptop, or when you don’t have it with you.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/01/google-docs-storag/
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cloud Storage On The Rise
The availability of online storage choices for VARs contemplating moving customers to cloud or cloud-hybrid solutions continues to grow.
Depending on the needs of an enterprise -- with performance, compliance, scalability and budget -- Storage-as-a-Service options have been leading the way toward the cloud computing model because of the relative ease of deployment and growth of competitive vendors in this space.
In previous issues of CRNtech, we've looked at a number of different offerings including Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN)'s S3 -- arguably the biggest cloud storage vendor in the market. As the cloud buildout continues, Rackspace, San Antonio, does continue to impress with a variety of its offerings and approaches. More and more, the CRN Test Center believes VARs may want to keep the company in mind as it moves customers to this model.
Rackspace has very quietly outflanked giants Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) and Google in online storage and backup, giving the hosting and cloud computing upstart bragging rights as the market races toward the new IT model in 2010 and beyond.
Unveiled recently, Rackspace's Cloud Drive provides a quick, easy-to-deploy solution for "cloud-based" storage and file backup. Here are the basics: At a price of $4 per month, per user, Rackspace will offer a company or workgroup 10 GB of file storage. Using the interface of the Jungle Disk Workgroup Activity Manager (Jungle Disk is a Rackspace subsidiary), files can be managed and backups can be scheduled and tailored to a specific need. From a desktop or server, the files are copied onto Rackspace's storage infrastructure where they can be managed or retrieved.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/storage/222200735;jsessionid=3SACKFJREXU3LQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_vi
Depending on the needs of an enterprise -- with performance, compliance, scalability and budget -- Storage-as-a-Service options have been leading the way toward the cloud computing model because of the relative ease of deployment and growth of competitive vendors in this space.
In previous issues of CRNtech, we've looked at a number of different offerings including Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN)'s S3 -- arguably the biggest cloud storage vendor in the market. As the cloud buildout continues, Rackspace, San Antonio, does continue to impress with a variety of its offerings and approaches. More and more, the CRN Test Center believes VARs may want to keep the company in mind as it moves customers to this model.
Rackspace has very quietly outflanked giants Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) and Google in online storage and backup, giving the hosting and cloud computing upstart bragging rights as the market races toward the new IT model in 2010 and beyond.
Unveiled recently, Rackspace's Cloud Drive provides a quick, easy-to-deploy solution for "cloud-based" storage and file backup. Here are the basics: At a price of $4 per month, per user, Rackspace will offer a company or workgroup 10 GB of file storage. Using the interface of the Jungle Disk Workgroup Activity Manager (Jungle Disk is a Rackspace subsidiary), files can be managed and backups can be scheduled and tailored to a specific need. From a desktop or server, the files are copied onto Rackspace's storage infrastructure where they can be managed or retrieved.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/storage/222200735;jsessionid=3SACKFJREXU3LQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN?cid=nl_vi
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Windows Azure: Microsoft's Big Bet
Windows 7 has put the swagger back into Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s stride. But with Windows Azure, the cloud computing platform that will debut as a paid service on Feb. 1, Microsoft faces a new type of challenge: showing the industry that its deep software expertise can translate into success in the Wild West frontier of cloud computing.
Microsoft, which has spent more than $1 billion to build gigantic data centers to run Azure, faces formidable competition from companies like Google and Amazon that have already become synonymous with delivering services over the Internet. In addition, startups are cropping up left and right to grab their piece of the cloud computing pie. All of which suggests that Microsoft will have to get paying customers onto the Azure platform as quickly as possible to stake its own claim in the cloud.
To make this happen, Microsoft has built Azure to support open source programming languages like PHP, Ruby On Rails, and Python. The idea is to lure developers that haven't traditionally been Microsoft's biggest fans, and it's a bold move from a company that trying to show the industry that it's serious about interoperability.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222200160;jsessionid=INA5P40ZFKVSVQE1GHRSKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Microsoft, which has spent more than $1 billion to build gigantic data centers to run Azure, faces formidable competition from companies like Google and Amazon that have already become synonymous with delivering services over the Internet. In addition, startups are cropping up left and right to grab their piece of the cloud computing pie. All of which suggests that Microsoft will have to get paying customers onto the Azure platform as quickly as possible to stake its own claim in the cloud.
To make this happen, Microsoft has built Azure to support open source programming languages like PHP, Ruby On Rails, and Python. The idea is to lure developers that haven't traditionally been Microsoft's biggest fans, and it's a bold move from a company that trying to show the industry that it's serious about interoperability.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.crn.com/software/222200160;jsessionid=INA5P40ZFKVSVQE1GHRSKH4ATMY32JVN?cid=nl_crn
Monday, January 4, 2010
Not Everything Will Move To The Cloud
When Rackspace opened for business at the end of the last century, people thought it was a wannabe Electronic Data Systems. Since then it has evolved into one of the largest cloud operations on the planet with an estimated 60,000 servers and data storage that is increasing by a mind-boggling 1 petabyte a month.
So what better place to look at how data management is changing? Forbes caught up with John Engates, Rackspace's chief technology officer, to talk about the evolution and where things are likely to go in the future.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/31/rackspace-cloud-computing-technology-cio-network-engates.html
So what better place to look at how data management is changing? Forbes caught up with John Engates, Rackspace's chief technology officer, to talk about the evolution and where things are likely to go in the future.
Read Full Article Here:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/31/rackspace-cloud-computing-technology-cio-network-engates.html
Friday, January 1, 2010
Cloud Development Instrumental in IT Recovery for 2010
IDC, the tech industry analysts, have come out with their predictions for 2010 – and it’s a model that heavily involves the development and growth of the Cloud.
First some general IT industry forecasts:
- growth is expected to return to the IT industry, and IDC is forecasting a more than 3% expansion for the year; the industry will see spending levels rise once again (but to 2008 levels) to $1.5 trillion;
- emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil will lead IT recovery, growing 8-13%, while mature markets like the U.S. and Europe are to remain relatively weak and vulnerable to risk factors;
- small and medium-sized businesses, another important form of “emerging market” for the IT industry, declined by about 3.5% this year…but expect this sector to grow in 2010 by 3.5%. Growth among SMBs will be higher than large enterprises.
What role the cloud will play:
- For the IT industry, 2010 will be a huge year for the continuing build-up and maturing of cloud services delivery and consumption, according to IDC. Look for “enterprise grade” cloud services to emerge in order to support the “more demanding security, availability, and manageability requirements of traditional IT” in cloud services.
- The year will be marked by seven distinct cloud trends:
Read Full Article Here:
http://in.sys-con.com/node/1232970
First some general IT industry forecasts:
- growth is expected to return to the IT industry, and IDC is forecasting a more than 3% expansion for the year; the industry will see spending levels rise once again (but to 2008 levels) to $1.5 trillion;
- emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil will lead IT recovery, growing 8-13%, while mature markets like the U.S. and Europe are to remain relatively weak and vulnerable to risk factors;
- small and medium-sized businesses, another important form of “emerging market” for the IT industry, declined by about 3.5% this year…but expect this sector to grow in 2010 by 3.5%. Growth among SMBs will be higher than large enterprises.
What role the cloud will play:
- For the IT industry, 2010 will be a huge year for the continuing build-up and maturing of cloud services delivery and consumption, according to IDC. Look for “enterprise grade” cloud services to emerge in order to support the “more demanding security, availability, and manageability requirements of traditional IT” in cloud services.
- The year will be marked by seven distinct cloud trends:
Read Full Article Here:
http://in.sys-con.com/node/1232970
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