Grazed from GigaOM.  Author: James Urquhart.

I’ve spoken quite a bit to date about the application-centric nature of cloud computing, and how this changes the nature of operations for the enterprise. That’s all well and good, but it should be quickly apparent that there are some constraints out there that limit what options a team has in where to place and run cloud applications.

Sure, we can talk about virtualization platforms, supported operating systems and SLAs (if SLAs even matter). However, I would argue that one of the most critical determinations of the placement of cloud workloads is also one of the weightiest: the law. I’ve called this out before, but I think there are some new elements worth exploring given recent controversy over applicable laws in the European Union and the United States…

Grazed from DailyFinance.   Author: Alex Planes.

There aren’t a lot of companies scrambling for the top of the hardware mountain, but the companies that use server hardware seem to grow like weeds. Cloud startups have been popping up all over the place, and there are plenty of established companies looking to expand their presence. Who will win in the long term? If history is any guide, whoever makes the best use of scale — and pairs that scale with the most accessible options — will win the day.

Which cloud companies offer their wares utility-style, whether bare-bones fashion or on top of a platform? Let’s look at the biggest, best, and brightest competitors in this cloudy arena…

Grazed from PRWeb.  Author: PR Announcement.

The Cloud Accounting Institute (CAI), a clearinghouse of information on cloud computing dedicated to the needs of accounting and finance professionals, invites participation in it’s Benchmark Survey on Software as a Service for Accounting. The survey will relate adoption decisions to company size, perceived benefits, perceived concerns, and experiences with installed software packages. Interested parties are invited to take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J8BHKYP.

Lindy Antonelli, Chairman and Executive Director of the Cloud Accounting Institute says, “Whether you have already adopted cloud financials or are just considering that move, we hope that you will contribute your views to this important study.  Not only will you will help us understand the phenomenon that is cloud accounting, but more importantly as a participant, you can access the results of this historic research to guide your own decisions…

Grazed from DailyFinance.com.  Author: Alex Planes.

Without hardware, there would be no cloud. But cloud-centric hardware isn’t always the same as the box you use to surf the Web. Maintaining constant uptime, speedy data transfers, and always-on connectivity aren’t optional when providing service to thousands of demanding businesses.

I’ve put together a list of some cloud-serving hardware manufacturers that might be worth your time. You’ll find a few familiar faces (paired with some not-so-familiar numbers), and you might be surprised by who’s taking the pole position in this explosive market….

Cloud computing technology would allow new social gaming network to offer console-quality games without hardware limitations. Even mobile phones look set to be able to use GFACE’s cloud computing technology.Mr. Faruk Yerli, founder of Crytek, is shown speaking in Beijing in 2010. Crytek is backing a new social gaming network, called GFACE, that uses cloud computing streaming to allow lots of devices to interact in multiplayer games.

Crytek, the developer behind Crysis and Far Cry, is backing a new social gaming network called GFACE. Created by a “small team with big ideas”, GFACE promises to deliver high quality free to play multiplayer games directly to your browser, while also offering Facebook-like social network features…

Grazed from Deseret News.  Author: Blaze Bullock.

Grazed from CenterBeam.  Author: Editorial Staff.

Platform-as-a-Service, a core layer of cloud computing, will be driving the future of the cloud, according to a report from IT research firm Gartner. PaaS is the layer of the cloud that contains all application infrastructure services, eWeek said, and Gartner said all major vendors will have PaaS offerings by the end of 2013.

"With large and growing vendor investment in PaaS, the market is on the cusp of several years of strategic growth, leading to innovation and likely breakthroughs in technology and business use of all of cloud computing," said Yefim Natis, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. "Users and vendors of enterprise IT software solutions that are not yet engaged with PaaS must begin building expertise in PaaS or face tough challenges from competitors in the coming years."…

Grazed from CenterBeam.  Author: Editorial Staff.

Although cost savings and the use of new technology are great reasons for moving to a cloud computing solution, Robert Youngjohns, president of Microsoft North Amerca, told a room full of IT vendors that business should be what drives companies into the cloud instead of any of the flash and frills, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

“Going to the cloud is a business decision. It’s not about technology,” Youngjohns said at Tech Data Corp.’s Cloud Champion Summit in Florida, the news source reported. He added that businesses should take things such as costs and applications into effect, but the decision to move into the cloud should mostly look at what will work for the business and what will not…

Grazed from BOSS.  Author: Carl Davies.

Since at least 2006, the communications market’s best and brightest have predicted an epic battle between cable companies and telcos in the enterprise sector. 2012 may turn out to be the year that proves the soothsayers right, though not in a way anyone could have foreseen at mid-decade. An entirely new market – cloud computing – could turn out to be a major field where telecom and cable face head-on to win commercial accounts.

Last year, opponents fired the opening shots by acquiring or partnering with large cloud-computing companies. In the U.S., almost within the same week, Verizon bought Terremark and Time Warner snapped up Navisite. Not long after, CenturyLink purchased Savvis. Then Britain’s largest cable MSO, Virgin Media, partnered with CenturyLink’s Savvis to offer business-class cloud services up against its competitors, BT and Cable & Wireless…