WOLF Weekly Cloud Sum-up, October 19, 2012

Cloud computing represents a fundamental shift in IT as companies move from continued investment in their own infrastructure to sourcing and developing IT services externally. Technology advances, particularly ubiquitous high-speed internet connectivity and the ever-decreasing cost of storage, have finally enabled developers to meet buyers’ needs for simplicity, cost and flexibility. Developing and realizing opportunities using the cloud are now the way businesses reach consumers for all transactions that utilize technology.



Read more about Cloud computing: Why it’s good for your bottom line

Customers wait and see as cloud wars rage

We often hear about companies that dove feet first into cloud computing. What we don't hear, though, is that these businesses are typically larger, more aggressive firms that put a value on trying new things to get strategic advantage -- and their example is meant to egg you on to following the same path. These companies are distinctly in the minority. Although most enterprises have some storage-as-a-service providers and a SaaS or two, they still haven't created a cloud computing strategy, nor do they have major cloud computing deployments planned.

Clueless About Cloud Computing

The European Union's cloud computing strategy couldn't come at a better time as the region lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to cloud computing usage. The EU announced its cloud computing strategy last month and is optimistic it will create new jobs and help boost a struggling economy. An information campaign is necessary if the EU is to overturn the misunderstanding and general lack of knowledge about the cloud.

Cloud storage specification gets ISO approval

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has ratified the Cloud Data Management Interface (CDMI), a set of protocols defining how companies can safely move data between private and public clouds. The Storage Networking Industry Association's (SNIA) Cloud Storage Initiative Group submitted the standard for approval by the ISO last spring. CDMI is the first industry-developed open standard specifically for data storage as a service.

Cloud computing morphing healthcare in five distinct ways

As its name may suggest, "the cloud" is a mysterious yet increasingly ubiquitous presence in all parts of life. Realistically, its definition is simple:cloud computing takes advantage of economies of scale and resource pooling to provide massive amounts of storage and computing power to any users who sign up for the service. Google's suite of "apps," ranging from Gmail to its online document management system is one example. Amazon's S3 data service is another.

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

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, October 05, 2012

The cloud's vast computing power is making it easier and less expensive for companies and clinicians to discover new drugs and medical treatments. Analyzing data that used to take years and tens of millions of dollars can now be done for a fraction of that amount. Most of us know Amazon as the world's largest online retailer. But its cloud computing business is booming too. Companies can rent massive computer resources by the hour, and the cost is relatively little. The ability to analyze vast amounts of data in this way is changing lots of industries — including health care.

Source: istockphoto

Read More to see how Cloud Computing Saves Health Care Industry Time and Money

The Proposed "Cloud Computing Act of 2012," and How Internet Regulation Can Go Awry

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has introduced a new bill, the “Cloud Computing Act of 2012” (S.3569), that purports to “ improve the enforcement of criminal and civil law with respect to cloud computing.” Given its introduction so close to the election, it’s doubtful this bill will go anywhere. Still, it provides an excellent case study of how even well-meaning legislators can botch Internet regulation.

Cutting cloud computing costs

The recent news that Amazon Web Services, the market pioneer in infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), has built a cloud computing platform designed to cut the cost of storing financial data is a clear indication that the cost of cloud computing is on a downward spiral. This is good news for would-be cloud service subscribers who must also be buoyed by Microsoft's cut in prices for Windows Azure, the compute and storage pay-as-you-go services. It's no secret that these two organisations are moving to expand their market share in the face of growing competition in the cloud from Google and other players.

Cloud Computing in the European Union

Last week, the European Commission announced its strategy for cloud computing. In doing so, the Commission aims to establish uniform rules that govern the use of cloud technology across member states, allowing the EU to exploit the enormous economic potential that this technology has to offer.

The End of "Cloud Computing?"

In an effort to free cloud computing from the clutches of such marketing efforts, a few technology companies are starting to push their own, more literal definitions of cloud computing. One such term is "software-defined datacenter," a term heavily touted by VMware, which is trying to leverage its virtualization expertise. "A software-defined datacenter is where all infrastructure is virtualized and delivered as a service, and the control of this datacenter is entirely automated by software," stated VMware CTO Steve Herrold.

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

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.