WOLF Weekly Cloud Sum-up, Dec 30, 2011

With 2011 dawning on us, we bring you our last weekly Cloud sum-up for this year. Looking back on 2011, what stands out most of all is that the cloud became mainstream. Cloud computing even got its own Gartner hype cycle, and while some aspects of the technology are still deemed to be in the early wave of the cycle, others are far beyond any hype. Indeed, SaaS is so well established today that Gartner positions it firmly on the ’slope of enlightment’, well on the way to achieving productive enterprise adoption. 

 

Read More to find out how Cloud has been in 2011 and a short insight to 2012

Flexibility makes cloud computing more appealing

Flexibility is one of the key benefits of cloud computing, allowing businesses to adapt quickly and easily to unexpected challenges. According to the founder of cloudonomics.com, Joe Weinman, increasing capacity fourfold at the drop of a hat is now possible with the pay-as-you-go service model offered by cloud computing providers. Speaking to PC World, Mr Weinman said: "Let's say you're a retailer who 11 months out of the year might be able to use their own data centre to do things. For one month [you might want] to be able to double or triple or quadruple capacity."

How Cloud Computing is Changing Many Job Descriptions

Just as cloud computing is a game-changer for many companies, it is also changing the nature of jobs – not only within the information technology department, but in other parts of the enterprise as well. For senior-level executives, especially chief information officers, the changes reflect the more strategic role IT plays in the direction of businesses. For the business, it introduces more reliable and predictable supporting technology.

Cloud computing issues have a familiar ring to them

eWeek’s Howard Cohen reports that cloud adoption is running into some problems in enterprises, and the tone of these issues has a familiar ring to them. He quotes Greg Onoprijenko, president of e-ternity Business Continuity Consultants: “Education is always a big one, because people in general are still trying to wrap themselves up on cloud. They don’t know what they don’t know, so we’re spending a lot of time educating customers on just exactly what it means because there’s still a lot of confusion around what cloud is.”

IT pros will take a harder look at cloud computing in 2012

Despite slow adoption by enterprise IT in the years since cloud computing emerged, 2012 may turn out to be the year when cloud technologies finally begin to gain parity with more traditional data center staples such as virtualization and tape libraries. TechTarget's 2012 IT Priorities Survey found that a growing number of enterprises -- some 24.1% -- plan to grow their expenditures for cloud services over the next year. In fact, 27% of respondents said that cloud computing initiatives were viewed with high importance at their companies. Another 53% rated the importance of their cloud projects as medium.

We hope these short sum-ups on Cloud Computing in 2011 helped you to take a more knowledgeable approach towards moving to the cloud. Stay tuned for more sum-ups on in the forthcoming year.

Don’t forget to add your comments and suggestions. I will have more around the cloud a week later. For Now Wish all my readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year, 2012
Santanu Das
Marketing Evangelist, WOLF Frameworks

NOTE: The views expressed above are purely personal and for informational purposes only. WOLF FRAMEWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD. MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012

Before the clock strikes '12, we're going to steal a moment to wish our partners, customers, friends and well-wishers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012.

2011 was an exciting year for WOLF from start to finish, filled with customers/partners, great ideas and exciting challenges. With every passing year we realize the endless opportunities that the Cloud presents and new ways that it helps us solve the unique challenges of our customers.

So here's looking forward to 2012!


Thanks again and Best wishes,
WOLF Frameworks Team

WOLF Weekly Cloud Sum-up, Dec 23, 2011

Cloud computing has drawn a great deal of attention as a way to reduce IT costs in healthcare. But are the companies that offer cloud computing well-prepared to meet the HIPAA privacy and security requirements? As hospitals and clinics alike consider their options for adding new applications in a hurry, on a tight budget or lacking necessary resources, many are considering the cloud computing option. With the HITECH EHR incentive payment program kicking into high gear, organizations are feeling pressure to devise ways to roll out new systems quickly so they can earn the maximum payments from Medicare and Medicaid.



Read more to find out about the Key Security Issues of Cloud Computing in Healthcare

Top 10: Private Cloud FAQs

10 of the most common questions about building the private cloud by using Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 (VMM 2012):

1. How is the private cloud different from the public cloud? 
2. Isn't cloud computing, and especially the private cloud, really just the same as virtualization? 
3. How do you build the private cloud for Windows Server and its applications? 
4. What makes up a private cloud built with VMM 2012? 
5. Is a service the same thing as a VM? 
6. What is the Fabric? 
7. Can a VMM 2012 private cloud use other virtualization platforms besides Hyper-V? 
8. So what gives the private cloud self-service capabilities? 
9. When is VMM 2012 due to be released? 
10. Is VMM 2012 the only product that can build the private cloud? 

Cloud computing 'could have many advantages'

Cloud computing solutions can provide many advantages to businesses, but those implementing the service must carefully consider the security aspects of the systems. This is according to one expert who suggested that, like other advanced technologies, cloud computing will rise in popularity as more and more companies realise the benefits, but the trend will also impact on the need to work harder on the quality and safety of software. Phil Codd, managing director and chief markets officer for northern Europe, India and South Africa at Software Quality Systems, said that security and performance are critical to the nature of virtualisation. "Cloud computing can provide tremendous advantages to an organisation and there are additional considerations such as performance testing [and] security testing, as well as the need to ensure consistent functionality," Mr Codd commented.

Cloud Computing Integration – Challenges and Solutions

Often referred to as the ‘ugly part” of cloud computing. Integration plays a crucial role if you want to deliver cloud based solutions to your business. Outlining a cloud strategy could be a time consuming and difficult process, but the planning part must also take into account the fact that the on – premises resources and infrastructure a company has must be coordinated with the applications to be hosted in the cloud.

Cloud Computing: Forecasting First Steps of Adoption

While the fast path to cloud computing varies, it looks like many enterprises, as well as consumers, were already on the way before they really knew what cloud computing meant. Consumers who have been using online services for more than a decade may have become confused when popular software providers such as Microsoft started declaring “to the cloud” in reference to just about every imaginable online service. The typical consumer computer user didn’t realize they were using what is now called cloud services.

We hope these short sum-ups on cloud computing will help you to take a more knowledgeable approach towards moving to the cloud. Stay tuned for more sum-ups on in the forthcoming weeks.

Don’t forget to add your comments and suggestions. I will have more around the cloud a week later. That's all for now. Wish all readers a Merry Christmas. 

Santanu Das
Marketing Evangelist, WOLF Frameworks


NOTE: The views expressed above are purely personal and for informational purposes only. WOLF FRAMEWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD. MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

WOLF Weekly Cloud Sum-up, Dec 16, 2011

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in the Cloud has been covered multiple times and there have been many articles written on the topic, but still there is confusion about the importance of SLAs. Most people require a blueprint for architects and contractors to start building a new home and similarly would expect a new car to come with a warranty. An SLA serves as both the blueprint and warranty for cloud computing. There is an article written for Educause Quarterly by Thomas J. Trappler called “If It’s in the Cloud, Get it on Paper: Cloud Computing Contract Issues”.



Read more to find out what he recommends in his paper.

10 Ways Cloud Computing Will Disrupt our Businesses in 2012

If anything, 2011 should be remembered as the “Year of the Cloud.” The past year was an energizing one in terms of the advancement of cloud computing. The cloud approach was adopted by many organizations, and most vendors have now gotten into the game as well. What will 2012 bring?

Take a look ahead:

1. “Cloud” will begin to fade as a differentiating term — because it will just be the way we do things
2. Many businesses will follow the federal government’s example of a “cloud-first” policy
3. Pressure will grow to demonstrate cloud ROI
4. Private clouds will proliferate faster than public clouds
5. Private cloud will elevate IT’s role in the business
6. IT departments will both act as facilitators and competitors to public cloud providers
7. Lines between service providers and consumers will blur – on many cases, companies will be both
8. Public clouds will increasingly be seen as more secure than on-premises systems
9. Economic growth will accelerate as more businesses are formed in the cloud
10. Cloud will disrupt the outsourcing model

Security, compliance often lacking in cloud computing strategy

Despite enthusiasm surrounding setting a cloud computing strategy, IT professionals lack confidence in their organizations’ abilities to secure cloud solutions and keep them compliant, a new SearchCompliance.com survey finds. Only a third of survey respondents said they were confident that their cloud solutions were adequately secure and in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Another 22% said their solutions weren’t secure or compliant. Perhaps most disconcerting? Close to half (45%) weren’t sure, meaning two thirds of respondents either do not know if their cloud solutions are secure, or are absolutely certain they are not.

Any business can use cloud computing

All businesses, not just technology companies, can use cloud-based services, said Rakesh Hegde, founder and CEO, Rezopia, a U.S.-based cloud technology provider for travel companies. The company provides cloud-based end-to-end travel reservation, contracts, operations, and distribution management system for packaged travel providers. Delivering a talk on “Recent trends in IT in the U.S.”, organised by Mangalore Management Association at the SDM College of Business Management, here on Wednesday, Mr. Hegde, an alumnus of SDM institutions, said that cloud-based services enabled businesses to focus on their core strengths by helping them do the peripheral tasks.

Cloud computing: Technology’s next big thing

Cloud computing means different things to different people. As a consumer, I am using a service from a cloud that someone else is running and paying for this service based on my consumption. Meanwhile, as a provider, a cloud provides efficient, cost effective IT services to clients, and makes the provider a broker of services. The importance of cloud computing to businesses is that it is about accessing and providing services instantly and cost-effectively, whereas years ago, the same would have required high startup costs and lengthy periods of time. Cloud computing solves this issues for businesses due to its low barrier of entry and elasticity.

We hope these short sum-ups on cloud computing will help you to take a more knowledgeable approach towards moving to the cloud. Stay tuned for more sum-ups on in the forthcoming weeks.

Don’t forget to add your comments and suggestions. I will have more around the cloud a week later.

Santanu Das
Marketing Evangelist, WOLF Frameworks

NOTE: The views expressed above are purely personal and for informational purposes only. WOLF FRAMEWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD. MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

WOLF Weekly Cloud Sum-up, Dec 09, 2011

Most experts agree that cloud is moving past the hype stage and starting to deliver tangible benefits, primarily increased flexibility and agility. But moving to the cloud can also mean added costs, some of which are unexpected, according to IT executives whose organizations have implemented or are considering cloud services. While these costs wouldn't necessarily prevent companies from getting real business value out of cloud computing, they could have an impact on the overall cost-benefit analysis of cloud services. 

Read more to find how companies preparing for the real costs of cloud computing

Cloud Computing a Top IT Investment Priority

Half of respondents to a Unisys poll say cloud computing is their top IT investment priority for 2012. As businesses get ready to capitalize on emerging technology trends in 2012, cloud computing remains at the top of many companies’ lists: Fifty percent of respondents to a recent Unisys (NYSE: UIS) online poll said cloud computing is their top IT investment priority for 2012. This is the second straight year respondents to a Unisys poll named cloud as the chief priority for IT investments in the coming year.

Public vs. Private Cloud Debate Goes On

While there are important differences between a public cloud and a private cloud computing environment, industry leaders say the pros and cons of each aren't as significant as the fact that both options are available for businesses and enterprises. At the recent CloudBeat 2011 conference in Redwood City, Calif., executives of various companies delivering cloud technology and services said any combination of public, private or hybrid clouds may be the right solution for any company based on its needs.

Talking about the benefits of cloud computing

The primary benefits of Cloud Computing are:

1. Responsiveness: Cloud computing gives IT the ability to respond to demands from business units faster than ever before. 
2. Efficiency and lower operating expenses (OPEX): By automating the provisioning of workloads and the control and management of resources, organizations see improved efficiencies and higher admin-to-server ratios (reducing OPEX). This automation allows organizations to present elements such as self-service provisioning to a line of business. 
3. On-demand elasticity: By controlling and managing resources, cloud computing reduces the need to design infrastructure for peak use. This allows resources to be scaled up when required and then recovered when the resources are no longer needed. 

Cloud Computing Grows, Interest in Data Centers Remains

Despite increases in cloud computing, 50 percent of companies are investing and planning over the long term to build or expand data centers that they manage as a corporate entity, according to a survey conducted by CoreNet Global and Newmark Knight Frank. The survey indicated companies are most concerned with risk management and business continuity when deciding where to locate their data centers. One result is a preference for most companies to maintain management of data center operations internally, and not to outsource the function.

We hope these short sum-ups on cloud computing will help you to take a more knowledgeable approach towards moving to the cloud. Stay tuned for more sum-ups on in the forthcoming weeks.

Don’t forget to add your comments and suggestions. I will have more around the cloud a week later.

Santanu Das
Marketing Evangelist, WOLF Frameworks

NOTE: The views expressed above are purely personal and for informational purposes only. WOLF FRAMEWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD. MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

WOLF Weekly Cloud Sum-up, Dec 02, 2011

Cloud computing is real and here to stay. Executives are seriously considering the cloud’s financial and productivity benefits versus continuing to perform all IT functions in-house. As 2012 nears, the success of cloud computing is undeniable. But, as with any new technology or consumption model, the cloud brings with it a variety of teething issues. Here’s what to watch out for in 2012:

• Cloud Wars 
• Large-scale Attack 
• The Giffen Good Phenomenon 
• Operational Business Intelligence 
• Horizontal Acquisitions and Failures 
• New Levels of Cloud Management 
• Regulation at Home and Abroad 

Read More about the Maturing, But With Growing Pains of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is misunderstood, but maybe it doesn't matter

2012 will be the year that cloud computing loses a lot of its luster for enterprises. Not because it is going away or anything like that. Rather, the opposite is happening — it is becoming so ubiquitous and commonplace that business and IT end-users alike will almost forget that they’re even using software off the cloud. Three recent industry surveys conducted over the past couple of months point to the ubiquity of cloud:

1. Many people are using cloud and not realizing it 
2. Cloud is being woven into new technology initiatives 
3. IT departments are driving cloud adoption 

Cloud computing is at the heart of the new world of work

Increasing numbers of Irish office workers have better technology at home - better broadband and better computers, for a start - than in the workplace and the demands of modern lives ought to make flexible working both at home and on the move a reasonably viable option. Yet one-third of Irish workers have never worked from home, while slightly less than 10pc work exclusively from home, according to a new Microsoft study.

Cloud security to focus on technologies

Security around cloud computing is likely to focus on accreditation for individual technologies rather than wide ranging guidelines, according a leading official from CESG. Chris Ulliot, deputy technical director for CESG, the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance, told the Socitm conference in Birmingham that cloud services make the technical elements of information security easier to deal with, as services can be certified before they reach the market.

Is Cloud Computing for You? Five Points to Consider

If you’ve been too preoccupied with the business of growing your business to consider what cloud computing could offer, don’t fret. Here are five points to help you decide whether the time is ripe for your business to invest in the cloud.

1. Lower Cost of Ownership 
2. Dependability 
3. Scalability 
4. Mobility 
5. Future-Proofing 

We hope these short sum-ups on cloud computing will help you to take a more knowledgeable approach towards moving to the cloud. Stay tuned for more sum-ups on in the forthcoming weeks.

Don’t forget to add your comments and suggestions. I will have more around the cloud a week later.
Santanu Das
Marketing Evangelist, WOLF Frameworks


NOTE: The views expressed above are purely personal and for informational purposes only. WOLF FRAMEWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD. MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.