Google gets US govt tick for cloud computing |
The Federal Information Security Management Act certification means that Google's system for running the online programs is considered reliable enough to store most electronic data handled by US government employees. The clearance doesn't cover classified information. |
To gain the federal government's endorsement, Google agreed to store all government data in data centers located in the US Google also is catering to government agencies with a new version of its applications tailored to their needs. Read more at www.nzherald.co.nz |
Privacy in the Cloud Computing Era: A Microsoft Perspective |
| This new paper discusses how Microsoft is approaching privacy as it relates to cloud computing. We wrote this paper based on our experience over the past decade examining and addressing privacy challenges in the evolving online services realm. We are also releasing guidance to enterprises and consumers to help them navigate the privacy issues to consider when thinking about cloud-based services. |
Microsoft has reduced the price of its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) 9 months after its launch. | Microsoft's cloud pricing falls closer to earth |
Microsoft announced a new pricing structure for its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS)�due to strong customer demand in New Zealand and around the world, it claims. |
| Due to rapid customer adoption, global scale and improved efficiencies from new software such as Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft is reducing the price of BPOS�as well as Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft Office SharePoint Online and Microsoft Office Communications Online. With the price reduction, the BPOS� is now NZD $17.24� per user per month, a 35% price reduction.Read more at www.nbr.co.nz |
Records managers are still trying to figure out how to deal with the decades-old problem of e-mail, so the cloud remains on the distant horizon for most. | Records and the Threat of Cloud Computing |
I recently hosted a panel for ARMA that discussed compliance and records management issues related to Cloud Computing. It proved to be one of the most thought-provoking sessions I have been involved in for a long time. What became abundantly clear very early on was that records managers and compliance officers really need to get their head around cloud computing, and fast.
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| retention and disposition are the core principals of records management, and cloud computing brings into question the relevance and value of both principles. I think cloud computing is the biggest threat records management has ever faced. Yet records managers are still trying to figure out how to deal with the decades-old problem of e-mail, so the cloud remains on the distant horizon for most.Read more at intelligent-enterprise.informationweek.com |
Google Report Reveals SaaS Impact on Enterprise IT |
Last week, Google released its 2009 Communications Intelligence Report, covering the impact and current state of cloud applications/SaaS on IT. It was based on a survey of 1125 IT decision makers and perhaps predictably, it offered a positive commentary and outlook for cloud applications. That said, I think this report raised a number of interesting, sometimes surprising points that are worthy of note - |
| Companies adopt SaaS for a variety of reasons - Although the report calls out "ease of use" as the primary motivation for adopting SaaS, it only garnered 22% of the responses. "Product effectiveness" and "product features" followed with 15% each. |
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More firms turn to cloud computing
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COMPANIES here are increasingly using free 'cloud computing' Internet-based applications such as word processing programmes and photo-editing suites to cut costs and manpower. |
Mr Chris Morris, a research director at independent research firm IDC, said the cloud computing market here is growing at more than 40 per cent every year as Singapore moves from 'the early-adopter stage to the early-mainstream stage of cloud computing'. |
A recent IDC survey found that four in 10 companies in the Asia-Pacific region, including those from Singapore, are already exploring or having trials for cloud computing applications. |
The Ministry of Education became the latest convert two weeks ago when it purchased an entire suite of Google applications, including word processing and chat functions, for its 30,000 teachers. |
| Avago Technologies shaved $1.1 million from its expenditure budget - a massive 65 per cent savings - by turning to cloud computing last year.Read more at business.asiaone.com |
Some analysis of what went wrong, and why it should not be used as an example of cloud computing failure. Hey Chicken Little, the Cloud Is Not Falling |
| We sure are hearing the chickens running around in a panic about the dangers of cloud computing following the massive data loss involving T-Mobile Sidekick customers |
The problem is, most of them are making zero distinction about what constitutes a cloud computing service. The Sidekick disaster was not the result of a cloud disaster. It was a centralized data center that had poor oversight. |
But since we are on the topic, there are some basic lessons to learn in working with a cloud service provider. This is not a complete list. Feel free to add your own pieces of advice. Read more at www.readwriteweb.com |
| The popularity of the concepts around cloud computing have caught many IT departments off-guard. |
So, how do those tasked with a cloud strategy proceed? How do they exercise caution and risk reduction, while also showing swift progress toward an “Everything as a Service” world? How do they pick and choose among a burgeoning variety of sourcing options for IT and business services and accurately identify the ones that make the most sense, and which adhere to existing performance, governance and security guidelines? |
| Here to help better understand how to properly develop a roadmap to cloud computing adoption in the enterprise, we’re joined by three experts from HP:Read more at blogs.zdnet.com |
Top performing companies that have adopted cloud computing have reduced IT costs 18% and data center power consumption by 16%. | A new study, recently published by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company
(NYSE: HHS), revealed top performing companies that have adopted cloud
computing have reduced IT costs 18% and data center power consumption by
16%.
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The survey revealed the top business pressures driving the adoption of
cloud computing include:
-- Overall cost of IT infrastructure
-- Need to enhance competitive advantage
-- Lack of flexibility in the current IT environment
-- Need to support additional services or users
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Survey results show top performing organizations shared several common
characteristics, including:
-- 77% monitor cloud applications for efficiency and use
-- 75% have a cloud team or task force
-- 69% use a formal cloud evaluation process
-- 62% have a formal education plan for training cloud team
Read more at pr-usa.net |
Links to a collection of articles on cloud computing. Cloud Computing Picks for Business Analysts |
Recently, a business analyst asked me for some cloud computing reading ideas. His goal was to get familiar with cloud computing without drowning in technobabble or wading through near-religious rhetoric. After sending him an email with some picks, it occurred to me that many business analysts are similarly interested. With that, here is a selection of cloud computing reads and topics you should keep an eye on. Read more at www.ebizq.net |
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Google gets US govt tick for cloud computing
