As business adoption of cloud computing and cloud storage takes hold, new benefits of cloud IT versus traditional IT continue to emerge on a regular basis. One recent example is the Carbon Disclosure Project Study 2011: Cloud Computing – The IT Solution for the 21st Century produced by analyst firm Verdantix.  In the report, not only are the cost advantages of cloud computing discussed but also the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the study looks at a food and beverage company that is moving an HR application from local IT to the cloud. The model predicts a savings of  $12 million over a 5 year period and a reduction of 30,000 tons in CO2 emissions, simply by moving to the public cloud.

So what does all this have to do with 2012 being the year of the private cloud? Let me explain.  Interestingly enough, the study also concluded that this same company could save $5M and cut CO2 emissions by 25,000 tons over the same time period but this time by moving to a private cloud. While most of us already assume that public clouds are housed in highly efficient “green” data centers with tremendous economies of scale, the private cloud scenario modeled in this report makes a strong statement that improved resource utilization can drive huge benefits even when all infrastructure stays local. The study goes on to cite other efficiencies of cloud architectures including improved time-to-market which also apply to both public and private clouds…

NetSuite Inc. ( NYSE: N), the industry’s leading provider of cloud-based financials / ERP software suites, today announced the details of SuiteAcademy, an educational program designed to bring cloud-based business management solutions to university classrooms worldwide. Driven by the growing global demand for teaching NetSuite cloud solutions in college classrooms, "SuiteAcademy" will put NetSuite software and professor developed curriculum in the hands of students, giving the next generation of business leaders a competitive advantage by having worked with the fastest growing financial management solution (according to Gartner). The adoption of cloud computing is accelerating among businesses worldwide and educational institutions are making sure they stay up-to-date with the latest technology to ensure that their students learn the most practical and relevant curricula…

NaviSite, a cloud services provider acquired by Time Warner Cable Company earlier this year, is promoting Oracle SaaS software licenses for ISVs (independent software vendors) that are pushing into cloud computing. The move comes as Oracle itself continues to bolster its cloud strategy.

According to NaviSite:

“With monthly Oracle software licensing, NaviSite ISV customers can take advantage of a flexible usage-based billing that accommodates changing business needs. The Oracle software licensing is seamlessly integrated into NaviSite’s hosting services, and complements traditional licensing.”

NaviSite is a platinum member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Specialized partner program. The company has a longstanding relationship with Oracle, which itself has been promoting a cloud strategy in recent months…

The terms “cloud” and “cloud computing” are just about everywhere, but unless you’re in the information technology business, you may not be sure exactly what they mean.

So what exactly is the cloud? It describes computing systems, data and infrastructure running on a server at an off-site data center that your company can rent or lease.

Simply put, the cloud refers to the out-of-sight, out-of-mind computer tasks that happen on someone else’s equipment. It can replace or be an extension of the server—or servers—taking up valuable space in your company’s closet or costing a fortune at your company’s data center…

The technology industry has shifted sharply to consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets and mobile applications—even as many analyst firms slash their PC forecasts. Today’s business travelers often leave their laptops at home, preferring to carry just a tablet and a smartphone.

The advent of mobility, consumer electronics and cloud computing in the enterprise is changing how the technology industry—and business in general—works. When any client device can access information in the cloud, why do we need PCs?

You may think that a company once known as Computer Discount Warehouse is worried about this trend, but that’s not the case. Instead, direct-market reseller CDW is experiencing strong product sales at the same time that it’s making inroads in the technology services business…

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way organizations around the world use technology. Despite the fact that many refer to 2011 as the Year of the Data Breach, and cloud computing has earned a reputation of being inherently insecure, that stigma is simply just not true. Most cloud providers have much higher security measures for their systems than even the most sophisticated IT departments can afford to deploy. The perceived lack of security comes from the mismatch between on-premise security assumptions and the expanded needs driven by the use of cloud…