Google Tweaks Cloud to Tackle Data Balkanization
May 5, 2015
Grazed from WSJ. Author: Alistair Barr.
Google is opening up one of its most popular cloud-based app-building tools to run on other companies’ computer servers, in part to help developers deal with rules requiring data be stored within national borders. Google launched App Engine in 2008 to help outside developers write and run apps on Google’s network of data centers and servers, getting the company into the public cloud-computing business in competition with leader Amazon.com.
Cloud computing providers typically compete to get as many customers using their data centers as possible. But on Tuesday, Google unveiled a partnership with startup AppScale that lets App Engine apps, which number roughly six million, run on other cloud services or companies’ own data centers and servers without modification…
The change opens up the possibility that Google’s technology will help developers write apps that they will then take to another cloud provider to run. However, Miles Ward, global solutions head for cloud platforms at Google, said the move will help the company retain and attract more cloud customers, especially as so-called cloud balkanization rules limit how apps and Web services can be delivered in some countries…
Read more from the source @ http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2015/05/05/google-tweaks-cloud-to-tackle-data-balkanization/