What to Do When Your Organization Says ‘No’ to Cloud Computing
There are many objections or issues that get raised with cloud discussions. That’s why cloud proponents need to do their homework, and understand the dynamics of their organizations. That’s the gist of a new book to be released next month, authored by Pankaj Arora, Raj Biyani and Salil Dave, all Microsoft executives. In To the Cloud: Powering an Enterprise, the authors explain how to make the case for enterprise cloud.
Objections that typically arise as cloud computing can be put into three categories:
Priorities. The move to cloud, as with any major technology migration, can potentially be disruptive. “Any work performed to ramp up on cloud computing or move applications tends to shift some focus away from adding business functionality or other IT improvements,” the authors point out…
Rackspace and ScaleXtreme to Host Joint Webinar
ScaleXtreme, the leading provider of server automation for the distributed datacenter, is presenting a joint webinar with Rackspace® Hosting (NYSE: RAX), the world’s leading specialist in the hosting and cloud computing industry.
“Our service helps people get their servers provisioned faster and their basic server tasks automated so they can spend more time working on what matters most.”
The webinar will show how Rackspace customers can use ScaleXtreme’s server management products to launch, manage and control Rackspace servers. Attendees will learn how to launch multiple servers using ScaleXtreme’s powerful Dynamic Server Assembly™ technology, run automation scripts to help with routine server management and create a bridge between your on-premise servers and your cloud-hosted machines…
UBM TechWeb’s Cloud Connect Makes 12 Cloud Predictions for 2012
Cloud Connect, the premier technology event for cloud computing produced by UBM TechWeb, presents the top 12 predictions in cloud computing for 2012. In five years, cloud computing has evolved from a novelty to information technology’s growth area. As Cloud Connect works to drive the adoption of cloud computing, these predictions speak to the latest technologies, platforms, strategies, and innovations that will drive business objectives forward. Cloud Connect will take place February 13-16, 2012 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit http://cloudconnectevent.com/santaclara.
Entering into the new year, Alistair Croll, Conference Chair, Cloud Connect and Principal Analyst, Bitcurrent offers the top 12 predictions in cloud computing for 2012:…
Health IT Managers Slow To Implement Cloud
Healthcare IT managers understand that cloud computing has its benefits, but many are concerned about privacy and security issues and are delaying plans to move their critical patient data onto cloud-based systems, according to a recent KLAS study.
The recently published study–Path to Cloud Computing Foggy: Perception Study–which interviewed 97 healthcare CIOs and other executives at health organizations, found that while 58% of respondents are considering using cloud computing, only 35% who expressed interest in cloud technology said they have any concrete plans to implement it.
Weighing heavily on the minds of CIOs is how to manage the exponential growth of data that has come with the move to digitized medical records, as well as the growth of digitized medical images. With tighter budgets and a need to do more with less, healthcare delivery organizations are evaluating cloud computing as a way to cut costs and create greater efficiency, but the thought of putting sensitive patient data in a cloud environment is still a worry for many health IT managers…
Virtualization, Cloud, Big Data, and Mobile tops CIO Priorities In 2012: IDC
Virtualization and the server consolidation that it delivers will be the top priority for chief information officers in 2012, according to a survey by the research firm IDC. Savings from server consolidation will be invested in new IT initiatives such as cloud computing, mobility, data analytics, and use of social media for business purposes.
When CIOs were asked by IDC to name their top three IT priorities for this year, nearly 40 percent of them picked virtualization and server consolidation, more than any other area of IT. After virtualization, investment in cloud services came in second, followed by collaboration tools, business analytics, and the consolidation of application portfolios.
While IDC ranks CIO priorities, another research firm, Gartner, scaled back its IT spending increase forecast for 2012 to 3.7% growth, down from an earlier forecast of 4.6%…
Rackspace Names Chief Marketing Officer
Rackspace Hosting®, the service leader in cloud computing, today announced that Suaad Sait has been named Chief Marketing Officer. In the newly created role, Sait will oversee global marketing.
“Having worked in the technology industry for more than 20 years, I am honored to be a member of the leadership team at a market leading company like Rackspace”
“Having worked in the technology industry for more than 20 years, I am honored to be a member of the leadership team at a market leading company like Rackspace,” Sait said. “Cloud computing is the future, and Rackspace has the advantage of being on bleeding edge. I look forward to strengthening our presence in the marketplace, based on our longstanding commitment to Fanatical Support.”…
AMAX Joins Intel Cloud Builders Program
AMAX, a leading provider of enterprise and cloud computing solutions, has joined the Intel Cloud Builders program, which publishes best practices, hardware blueprints and software architectures on how to deploy cloud infrastructures. The AMAX-Intel reference architecture, published as part of the program, demonstrates how to build private cloud solution using Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor-based servers and helps to accelerate the deployment of secure and efficient cloud computing infrastructures.
"We are pleased to welcome AMAX into the Intel(R) Cloud Builders program with the publication of their reference architecture," said Rick Cecil, Cloud Builder Program Manager, Intel Corporation. "AMAX is the only Intel Platinum Channel Partner currently participating in Cloud Builders, and their detailed guide to the deployment and optimization of a cloud infrastructure will be beneficial to IT managers looking to integrate cloud computing solutions."…
The New $99 Wyse Zero Client Provides Simple and Cost-Effective Computing Access for Education and SMBs Worldwide
Wyse Technology, the global leader in cloud client computing, today announced the introduction of the Wyse E02 zero client in support of Microsoft’s Shape the Future program, which has provided technology and access to over 10 million students around the world over the past five years. In conjunction with Shape the Future, Microsoft and Wyse have supported significant education-related initiatives in Africa and Eastern Europe. In Serbia, Microsoft’s Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 and Wyse E01 zero clients are expanding access to the latest learning technologies for over 30,000 students.
Jasna Matic, State Secretary for Digital Agenda and former Minister for Telecommunications and Information Society said, "Enhancing ICT for education is a major goal of the Government, and this programme is delivering on our promise to give every student access to their own computer at school. With cutting edge technology from Microsoft and Wyse, our schools have a solid foundation for delivering education to the highest standards."…
Huawei joins Cloud Security Alliance
Huawei has joined the Cloud Security Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote best practice in the provision of security assurance within cloud computing, and to provide education on the uses of Cloud Computing to help secure all other forms of computing.
Huawei said it would work with the CSA and its members "to advance their innovative efforts, such as the Trusted Cloud Initiative, to ensure that users of cloud services can have confidence in the security of their information."
Huawei said its membership was part of its commitment to developing more open, cooperative and secure communications ecosystems – linking operators to enterprises to consumers…
Google persuades Spanish bank BBVA to use the cloud
Spanish banking giant BBVA is switching its 110,000 staff to use Google’s range of enterprise software. The deal is the biggest that the search giant has signed with one company for its cloud-computing services, where software is offered as a service via the internet. The bank told the BBC it would use Google’s tools only for internal communication.
But the deal can be seen as a breakthrough in corporate adoption.
Banking – with its high security needs and strict regulations – was always considered to be one of the last industries to accept cloud-computing.
BBVA’s director of innovation, Carmen Herranz, stressed that all customer data and other key banking systems would "stay in our own data centres" and be completely separate from the cloud solution…