Sixty-eight percent of IT executives who participated in a recent survey conducted by Vanson Bourne and comissioned by Savvis reported cloud computing may be the best opportunity for companies to turn their finances around after the recession. Six-hundred IT and business decision makers participated in the survey, which analyzed the United States, UK and Singapore.
Information management company Iron Mountain recently reported 59 percent of companies utilizing SaaS applications use between one and five programs in their daily business operations. The Softletter SaaS Escrow report polled 170 companies - 112 SaaS users and 58 SaaS providers - to gauge the growth of SaaS applications in United States' enterprise sector.
CRM solution and cloud computing leader, Salesforce.com, recently announced the impending rise of the cloud has placed an especially strong focus on mobile compatibility and constantly updated data feeds. Making its products collaborative with social networking websites has become an important aspect of its plans as companies use those websites more and more.
A report recently released by data and advisory firm TPI found 78 percent of the company's clients have discussed the implementation of cloud computing internally. The survey included more than 140 IT decision makers at companies in the United States.
A report recently released by Techaisle found 37 percent of small businesses in the United States, UK, Germany, Italy and Brazil have heard of cloud computing and understand its potential benefits. The study also revealed 13 percent did not what cloud computing meant at all, while 44 percent believe it means using servers hosted by third parties and 29 percent believe it is only for SaaS applications.
A report recently released by InsuranceTech.com found that while cloud computing has become more popular, the insurance industry is adopting it slower than most industries. A primary reason for the hesitancy is the shift in architecture and IT protocol required to move a company's operations to the cloud. While the move is not particularly difficult, IT is not a substantial priority of insurance companies at the moment.
As SaaS applications continue to become some of the most sought-after items in the IT industry due to the financial savings they offer along with their overall flexibility, many web security companies have advised vendors to boost their data protection capability. Even as many companies have stated cloud computing is as safe as on-premise systems, eliminating risk will help sway those still not convinced.
As cloud computing becomes more popular, a number of industry research organizations have demanded a set of guidelines to ensure it works as well as possible and for consumers and vendors to understand their rights and responsibilities. Global market research firm Gartner recently released a series of measures aimed at doing so after establishing its Global IT Council for Cloud Services earlier.
A report recently released by Parks Associates found the network-attached storage market is likely to bring in $4.4 billion in revenue by 2014 as consumers and companies look to backup their growing amount of digital content. Experts predict global digital data will continue to grow exponentially, and issues of compliance and risk management will result in more business-critical data outsourced to the cloud.
Researchers at North Carolina State University recently discovered a method of predicting potential problem areas in cloud-based infrastructures. The method helps IT system operators identify any growing issues within a cloud computing system and address it quickly before any downtime or malfunction costs the vendor or organization money.
The Miami Herald recently reported cloud computing has grown not only in its uses, but in the size and type of company implementing the modern technology. In South Florida, companies have become especially aware of cloud computing's value as large hurricanes and other disasters in the state have forced companies to consider all their options.
Brown University recently announced its move to Google Apps Productivity Platform last year has provided its students with free tools to enhance their educational experience. The move represents a shift toward SaaS applications conducted by educational institutions looking to reduce spending in certain areas while boosting opportunities for students.
After their counterparts in the United States have reported great success with cloud computing in all its forms, companies in Europe are planning substantial moves toward the cloud within the next two years. A study recently conducted by Brocade found 60 percent of private companies will likely move to cloud computing in the next two years.
A report recently released by Network World states cloud computing vendors must fully discuss their services with prospective customers to succeed. As more companies look to the cloud to make IT spending more efficient while boosting performance, it makes sense for cloud computing vendors to avoid anything that may prevent an executive from green-lighting the move to the cloud.
Data infrastructure management company EMC recently announced the acquisition of data analysis software vendor Greenplum, based in San Mateo, California, for an undisclosed sum. Many cloud computing experts believe the move signals EMC's commitment to the growth of cloud computing and its role within the expanding market.
After completing its work with the 2010 Census, the United States Census Bureau recently reported cloud computing helped it save substantially while boosting its IT capability heavily. The success will likely lead to further agencies of the federal government implementing cloud services as they look to save money while boosting transparency and capability, Network World reports.
The United States government has made it clear for most of 2010 that it will adopt cloud computing in as many ways as it can. According to Reuters, the government has "embraced" cloud computing in total and will implement it where ever it believes there are no issues related to security and privacy.
According to a survey recently conducted by InformationWeek Analytics, IT staff and their bosses have different opinions about the effects of cloud computing on staffing at their company. The survey polled more than 800 IT workers at companies throughout North America about cloud computing and the effects they expect it to have on their organization.
A recent report from Gartner found while the adoption of SaaS applications in the U.S. has grown considerably, the UK has become a global leader in the technology. While U.S. adoption is still the largest in the world, UK companies have demonstrated great progress in terms of their willingness to adopt cloud computing.
A series of reports citing a new hiring for Cisco have labeled the move as a major step in the global shift toward cloud computing. Cisco recently announced Lew Tucker, a former employee at Sun Microsystems, would take over immediately as its chief technology officer.
For companies implementing cloud computing to succeed in their IT tasks, they must alter certain aspects of their business operations to achieve optimum results, according to ComputerWeekly. The process has been aided by Imagination, a British creative communications agency.
Two former employees of Amazon web services recently announced they have started cloud computing companies to demonstrate its true capability to a number of companies that previously struggled to implement it, according to Tech Target. Both believe that furthering cloud adoption within enterprises is key to expanding the medium, even as consumer cloud computing use has grown.
DocuSign and Salesforce.com recently announced a partnership that will allow companies using Force.com, Salesforce.com's cloud computing platform, to implement electronic signature services. Both companies expect the agreement to improve the efficiency and security of ecommerce transactions made using Salesforce.com.
Gartner recently reported cloud computing has become a major IT operation and the revenue drawn from its use will push $70 billion, according to IT Channel Planet. The report went on to say the market will likely expand even further during the next four years to more than $140 billion in global revenue.
Cloud computing adoption rates are likely to rise between now and the end of 2010, according to a study recently conducted and released by Savvis, according to CIO Insight.
Gartner recently reported cloud computing has become a major IT operation and the revenue drawn from its use will push $70 billion, according to IT Channel Planet. The report stated the market will likely expand even further during the next four years to more than $140 billion in global revenue.
A report recently released by market research firm IDC found cloud computing to be among the fastest growing trends in IT. From its current benchmark of $16 billion, IDC expects revenue drawn from cloud computing to reach more than $55 billion by 2014.
A recent study conducted by Eric Berridge, co-founder of New York-based solution provider Bluewolf, directly ties the economic recession with the extreme growth of cloud computing in 2010, according to ChannelWeb.
Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff recently reported Chatter, the company's new tool designed to encourage social CRM, has more than 6,000 users worldwide, according to the Wall Street Journal. Benioff made the announcement at a conference in San Francisco, California on Tuesday.
A recent report from InformationWeek found nearly one-third of the leading healthcare providers in the United States use cloud computing in their daily IT operations. Additionally, 73 percent of survey respondents said they plan to adopt cloud computing applications to improve efficiency before the end of the year.
eWeek contributor Cameron Sturdevant believes companies hesitant to move to cloud computing are worrying too much about trying to understand it instead of trusting the countless IT experts that have praised it.
Salesforce.com recently announced the lineup and schedule for Cloudforce 2010, one of the the largest conferences on cloud computing held in the United States. The event will be held on June 22 at the San Jose McEnry Convention Center in San Jose, California.
OnLive recently announced that it plans to make 23 popular video game titles available for use on the internet on a subscription basis at some point in the next 12 months. OnLive is a web company specializing in video games that has signed partnerships with Electronic Arts and UbiSoft in recent months as part of its plans to combine video games and cloud computing.
As economic conditions continue to improve, technology firms throughout the world are considering mergers and acquisitions to boost profit margins, according to Computerworld. Aside from the financial implications, companies want to expand their offerings to customers by acquiring smaller firms with different specialities.
GE recently announced it will soon offer a SaaS application to small medical practices that will allow them to keep all patient records stored electronically. The application will help smaller practices move their files to their computers, as they are required to so by 2014 under legislation passed by legislators.
Accenture recently named both cloud computing and smartphone use as enterprise trends that have changed the way people conduct business and companies cannot afford to miss out on, according to BusinessMinor.com.
From June 13 to June 15 in Santa Clara, California, IDC and IDG will co-sponsor the Cloud Leadership Forum, featuring some of the most influential members of the cloud computing community, which will include CIOs and other executives along with some of the most respected IT media members. The event will examine ways companies leverage and combine private, public and hybrid cloud computing models to improve their IT operations while lowering costs.
Earlier this year, Google announced the development of a printer that would run in the cloud and would enable any computer to print directly from any company. The company recently announced that they are testing the printer in their office before making it available to the public.
Gartner recently announced that its research shows VMware is the leader in its Magic Quadrant for companies that offer server virtualization. Its x86 server virtualization has consistently proved to be among the best in the industry in customer satisfaction, overall performance and financial value.
The United States federal chief information officer has touted his plan to shift government IT operations toward the cloud for most of 2010. While several government agencies already employ cloud computing, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is concerned about the lack of formalized standards relating to cloud security.
In his keynote speech at Microsoft's Tech Ed Conference, Bob Muglia, Microsoft's senior vice president of server and tools business, praised cloud computing as the evolution of IT, rather than the end of it, as many pundits have stated throughout 2010.
Microsoft recently announced that it will provide the Kentucky Department of Education with cloud computing services for more than 700,000 students, faculty and staff throughout the commonwealth. By replacing its on-premise Exchange servers with cloud-based systems, Microsoft estimates that Kentucky will save more than $6 million during the next four years.
Google recently announced the development of a new advertising campaign aimed at turning more companies into customers by eliminating fear related to cloud computing. The program highlights the benefits of cloud computing that many of its current clients already report, including energy savings and cost reduction.
Google recently announced the development and release of a solution that will allow companies and schools to migrate their email from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail for free.
Citing the desire to move its student and faculty email services forward and decrease overall spending, the University of Arizona recently announced that it will implement cloud computing in the form of Microsoft's Business Productivity Online Suite for the upcoming fall semester.
Last November, BMC Software and Salesforce.com's cloud computing hosting service Force.com announced a partnership to develop BMC's Service Desk Express application, according to PC World. The success of the software drove BMC to create more SaaS applications, which will be released in the next 12 months, the company recently announced.
The Digital Due Process Coalition recently announced that it will discuss changes to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act to account for growing digital communication and cloud computing's popularity surge, according to Datamation. The ECPA became law in 1986 and formalized privacy expectations and the seizure of digital correspondence in criminal and civil litigation.
Carbon management company CloudsApps and FinancialForce.com, which develops SaaS accounting applications on Salesforce.com's Force.com platform, have announced a partnership to integrate the two products, according to the E-Commerce Times. The integration will allow companies to track their carbon emissions more efficiently and manage figures related to their energy use.
Global market research firm Gartner recently reported that Salesforce.com is positioned in in its Magic Quadrant for CRM customer service contact centers. Gartner ranks just CRM vendors on a number of features within their call center operations, including order management, case management and problem diagnostics, among several others.
PC Magazine recently reported that online backup has become one its most popular topics as companies search for an inexpensive method of preventing substantial data loss. Cloud computing's growth has impacted several IT industries, and PC Magazine believes backup storage will become the latest.
Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial space travel company, recently announced that has selected Salesforce.com's Sales Cloud 2 to manage its CRM operations. The application will allow the company to database the information related to its customers, but it chose the item specifically because it is easily integrated with its registration process found on the Virgin Galactic website.
Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff praised Apple's iPad as one of the best innovations in IT while representing his company at the CloudForce 2 conference in Singapore last week, according to PC World.
Information Week contributor Charles Babcock recently reported that major financial firms want to move to cloud computing but are hesitant to do so unless they are guaranteed optimum security in a private cloud. Most of the major firms and institutions are not worried about the security of the system so much as they worry about information contaminated by other data on the same server.
John Hope-Bailie, technical director of Demand Data, recently reported that small- and medium-sized businesses should consider Storage-as-a-Service as a means of increasing data capacity. Hesitations over security that have been the norm for cloud computing are no longer issues, according to Hope-Bailie, as vendors strive to update and monitor their systems regularly.
Aberdeen released a report last week that found companies that use cloud computing for their email services save substantially compared to those using on-premise email. The report, which aggregated information from a series of other reports on the value of cloud computing, also noted that security is more reliable with cloud computing.
At the ongoing SAP Sapphire NOW conference taking place in both Orlando, Florida and Frankfurt, Germany, SAP announced that it has partnered with Cisco, EMC and VMware to help promote the use of cloud computing in the business community. Through the development of advanced SaaS business applications and reliable cloud-based data centers, the companies hope to instill confidence in organizations hesitant to move to the cloud.
Citing a need for discussion about the best methods of implementing cloud computing and the best products, CA Technologies recently announced the development of Cloud Commons. The forum will encourage IT professionals to trade ideas on cloud computing as well as provide in-depth information about new products and services from cloud computing vendors.
Ken Harris, chief information officer of personal healthcare product company Shaklee, recently told Computer World that reliable systems integration is key to the future of cloud computing. The model cannot succeed if companies do not properly manage their transition from on-premise computing to the cloud.
Veeva Systems recently announced that it has developed the first CRM solution designed specifically for the life sciences industry at its second annual Customer Summit in Philadelphia. The company also announced that Veeva Systems customers will have no problems with systems integration as Veeva Web works seamlessly with other CRM solutions already employed by companies.
At the EMC World conference in Boston last week, Art Coviello, head of EMC's security branch RSA, said that cloud computing companies have not done enough to address security. One week after his statement, Symantec announced that it has developed Hosted Endpoint Protection, which is expected to provide small- and medium-sized businesses with a SaaS application that offers premier security.
Independent global market research firm ABI Research recently released a study which concluded that personal use of cloud computing as storage will likely result in $372 million in total revenue by 2015. In 2009, it yielded total gains of $75 million for cloud computing vendors.
Computer chip manufacturer Intel recently announced that Intel Capital will invest $200 million in a series of startups based in the United States, according to PCWorld. The move will help enable the development and expansion of cloud computing technology and mobility.
The Taiwanese government recently announced a massive investment in cloud computing in the nation to go along with support pledged to the country's IT industry by software giant Microsoft, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Nearly $800 million will be directed toward helping the nation leverage cloud computing into an industry boom.
Global research firm Gartner recently reported that 95 percent of companies that currently use SaaS applications plan to continue or expand their use in 2010. The companies cite the widespread cost effectiveness of SaaS as well as the constantly improving capability offered by vendors that specialize in cloud computing.
There are countless organizations that currently use cloud computing systems and report positive results. However, even the companies that experienced the best results saw some problems along the way; a few snags that made them reconsider the move after a month or two. The key is to learn from their mistakes, and let cloud computing do the rest.
Amazon Web Services recently announced its plans to expand its cloud computing services to the Asia Pacific market. The company believes placing a data center in Singapore will help it land customers in East Asian counties.
StepStone solutions recently announced the development of its newest e-recruiting SaaS application, iGRasp 3.0. The software helps staffing agencies manage their websites and, with the newest version, they can manage message boards and other social networking tools people use to augment employment searches.
Parallels, a cloud enablement leader, recently announced that SoftCom, a SaaS business enterprise applications provider, has launched Parallels Automation, which allows the company to offer full service in the cloud. Running the applications through Parallels cloud servers and using its name allows SoftCom to improve its visibility as it shifts its focus on sales and marketing from research and development.
Cloudkick, a cloud computing startup, recently announced an additional $2 million in funding for its service that helps companies run the SaaS applications they purchase through other vendors, according to VentureBeat. A pair of investors that previously gave to the company, Avalon Ventures and Nueva Venutres, continued their investment.
The six million developers in the world that specialize in designing programs to run on Java received good news recently when Salesforce.com and VMware announced a collaborative effort on a cloud computing project that would provide a platform for hosting Java applications. VMforce will be available to Java users later this year.
The BBC recently reported that cloud computing in the United Kingdom will double in use and total revenue produced by 2012. The growth rate that the industry has experienced in recent months led researchers to make the claim, and they believe Google Apps will be the driving factor.
Aside from its potential to reduce the IT budget of a customer, CloudPronto, a cloud computing vendor, offers its customers green servers that use less energy than normal servers and reduce the amount of energy those companies use to run their business.
Panda Security celebrates the third anniversary of its cloud computing web security service Collective Intelligence on Monday, April 26, 2010. The program has analyzed and verified the security of more than 100 million files for customers in the cloud since its inception.
People using Google Chrome will soon be able to use any printer whether or not the computer has the software installed on it. The information is transmitted through the cloud and Google's new application Print Cloud.
With estimates stating that a 5 percent reduction in peak demand of nonrenewable energy would save the United States about $66 billion, major cloud computing companies have recently announced that they are seeking the development of data centers that run exclusively on renewable energy, according to HPCWire.com.
Advances in cloud computing implementation and capability have led to increased interest and eventual adoption by small businesses, according to Columbus Business First. Small businesses no longer have to hire IT personnel to use high-tech tools in their company, which has helped them adopt programs that make operating easier.
The popularity of its cloud computing applications forced Google to make improvements to the overall capability of some of its offerings. Fifty people can now work on a single Google Docs file at a single time. The updates also include better format support, so users can upload more file formats than before.
RightNow, the leading provider of cloud computing services to federal agencies, reports that government offices that transitioned to cloud computing applications saved between 25 and 50 percent over the on-site IT services they used prior.
Companies looking to adopt cloud computing have given vendors the benefit of the doubt in regard to security. Even as SaaS vendors can't provide much of a guarantee that a customer's data will remain entirely secure, businesses want to use the applications with the advanced pricing models that SaaS vendors offer.
Newly named Microsoft small business chief Birger Steen believes that the company's cloud computing operating system, Windows Azure, will make cloud computing more accessible for small business owners, according to CNET.
Microsoft Office business productivity vice president Kurt DelBene claims that his company will beat Google, one of its primary competitors, in cloud computing because it offers easier to use products. He believes the compatibility Microsoft products offer across platforms provides a faster and more reliable experience than Google, according to StrategyEye.com.
For months, the hype surround cloud computing forced IT decision makers in every industry to consider the switch. Many liked what they saw and capitalized on the trend, while others thought it best to pass. In recent weeks, IT news sources and cloud computing organizations have stopped with the buzz words and praise for new products, and focused on implementing and improving cloud computing, according to InfoWorld's David Linthicum.
Intel, the computer chip manufacturing company, recently announced the development of the Xeon 5600 chip that it hopes will make cloud computing faster and more secure for organizations looking for a reliable option as they move into cloud computing. The company reports that the 5600 is 60 percent faster than the 5500 that it released in March 2009.
In the past, companies adopted new technology for one reason. Either they wanted to save money, reduce carbon emission, save on payroll or some other motivation. All of these factors, however, contributed to the massive adoption rates cloud computing has experienced in recent months. Leading IT professionals believe that the global economic downturn mixed with a worldwide initiative to reduce carbon emissions has made cloud computing a necessity for enterprise users rather than a luxury, according to Sys-Con Media.
Despite objections from certain members of the campus community, Yale University recently announced that it would delay its plan to adopt Google's email and applications platform as prominent members of the IT department expressed skepticism over security, according to the Yale Daily News.
Companies who offer cloud computing have taken the initiative led by RSA president Art Coviello and sworn to augment the security of cloud computing applications, according to SearchCloudComputing.com.
Cloud computing company Salesforce.com recently learned that it made Ethisphere's list of most ethical companies for the fourth consecutive year. The customer relationship management service ensures customer satisfaction and requires workers to handle customer complaints and questions personally.
Environmental group Greenpeace recently stated that cloud computing vendors, who often claim to be champions of the environmental movement, do not address the issue of using renewable energy to power their data centers. The organization believes major cloud computing companies have enough power to change the mindset of other companies and make renewable energy the standard in the cloud.
At the Cloud Connect conference in Santa Clara, California last week, cloud computing experts planned to discuss methods to regulate cloud computing and ensure security for users and their organizations. According to Information Week, some at the meeting believe that the people and groups trying to set standards are unwilling to listen to cloud computing vendors and do not consider their concerns and findings.
The General Services Administration's Office of Citizen Services and Communications implemented cloud computing last May, and the branch of the federal government reports that the move has been a success, according to the Federal Times.
Microsoft recently announced that it will soon make an application store for cloud computing offerings available, according to IDG News. Customers can use Microsoft Office and other programs created by the software giant in their cloud computing network. The company hopes the move will improve production costs and make the software more widely available.
A glitch in a program designed to link Gmail accounts and Microsoft Outlook has been fixed, according to Google. The SaaS application allows users to view Gmail messages and use certain Apps on their Outlook pages, but did not work properly recently due a server error, according to Information Week.
Even as cloud computing has blossomed as an industry in recent years, vendors and organizations who have moved into the cloud are still experimenting with the systems to best fit them to their business, according to ITWorldCanada.com.
As companies weigh the risks and rewards of transitioning their IT services to cloud computing, security is almost always their primary concern. McAfee, a web security company, recently released its Cloud Secure Program, which combines its most advanced and reliable security products into one program that it believes will revolutionize security in the cloud.
The development of open-source SaaS software will result in an increased availability of software that provides great flexibility for enterprise and personal use, according to Forbes.
RightScale, a three-year-old vendor of cloud computing services, recently announced that it sold its one millionth server. The company credits its own committment to reliabilty and the overall flexibility of cloud computing with the success of its company; it boasts a broad range of clients, including gaming company Zynga and entertainment giant Sony.
In the earliest stages of SaaS, flexibility posed a major obstacle to companies accustomed to programs designed specifically for their needs. However, as SaaS applications become more customizable and vendors lowered prices, companies are willing to sacrifice completely flexibility due to all the other benefits of SaaS, according to Internet Evolution.
The search engine and cloud computing giant Google recently announced the opening of its cloud computing applications marketplace. The products available are designed to make companies more flexible within the cloud. The applications offered range from calendars that customers can view and use to request appointments to eFax.
For years, piracy prevented China from establishing a strong computer software market, according to Reuters. Thanks to cloud computing, however, it has become more difficult to create pirated versions of popular softwares needed to run a business, Kai-Fu Lee, former head of Google China, believes.
The increased reliability of cloud computing, paired with its cost effectiveness, has led to further adoption of it by businesses of all size, but especially small- and medium-sized businesses, according to Outsourcery.
At last week's RSA Conference in San Francisco, California, RSA president Art Coviello made it clear to the cloud computing community that security must be its primary focus to move the global IT industry forward.
Salesforce.com, a customer relationship management solution provider and leader in cloud computing, offers its customers a flat fee per user per month, according to the Seattle Times. Meanwhile Microsoft offers an option that allows users to pay depending on how frequently they use their new cloud computing system and how much they store in the cloud.
Salesforce.com was recently named the sixth-most innovative web company by Fast Company for its enterprise cloud computing and overall SaaS innovation. As a provider of customer relationship management software, Salesforce.com is one of the leading companies in the industry. However, the company has also received great praise and benefit for its willingness to take full advantage of all cloud computing can offer.
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano spoke at the ongoing RSA Conference in San Francisco, California to a group of cloud computing specialists and web security professionals about the need for increased vigilance in protecting the cloud.
Google vice president of global ad operations John Herlihy spoke on Wednesday at the Digital Landscapes conference at University College Dublin in Ireland about the impending demise of desktop computers. Herlihy cited the rise of mobile web access and impending takeover of cloud computing as the contributing factors.
Dan Lohrmann, the chief technology officer for the state of Michigan, believes that state agencies, including public schools, will soon begin a gradual process of implementing SaaS into their IT infrastructures, according to IT Business Edge.
Though many professionals in IT and data management are excited about cloud computing, it may come as a surprise to some that it is causing waves of anticipation in the security industry as well. In his opening keynote address at RSA Conference 2010, Art Coviello, president of the RSA security division of EMC, expressed his hopes for cloud computing.
A clear advantage of a network-based operations model like cloud computing is its potential to traverse borders and permit global interaction. A recent CNET article points out that as cloud computing grows, regulation and service for cross-national activity will become a fertile field.
With masses of crucial data stored and exchanged electronically, businesses need to make sure their information is protected from accidental deletion or corruption. An article at ReadWriteWeb recently suggested that cloud computing could be an "obvious fit" for backup storage.
It isn't news to anyone in marketing that social media is an essential tool, one often worth designating dedicated personnel to. But the affordability of social media doesn't necessarily translate to ease of use - managing various interfaces and platforms can be a productivity drain for even the savviest social media managers. Fortunately, cloud computing offers a solution.
Studies show that one of the major obstacles to implementation of cloud computing by small businesses is concern over security. However, a recent AjaxWorld Magazine article draws on a study suggesting that small to midsized businesses could increase security through careful cloud deployment.
Some IT workers continue to worry about the effect cloud computing has on company security. But as an article at Processor.com points out, the biggest security problem in the cloud are caused when fearful implementers don't understand different security needs and procedures.
Cloud computing may help organizations plug into new processes and capabilities, it can also serve already existing IT needs. An article at Processor.com points out that to take advantage of innovative cloud technologies, companies need not revolutionize their processes - they can and should simply move current IT procedures to the cloud.
With the ability to permit data access from any location with internet capabilities, cloud computing is a perfect fit for mobile phones. New data shows that mobile telecommunications technology and cloud technology are likely to grow much closer in the coming years.
With widespread movement to the cloud across the business world, many organizations are finding that it is worthwhile to acquire employees who specialize in running cloud platforms and SaS applications smoothly. IT recruitment company Resource on Demand reports that it received a record number of inquiries for SaaS and cloud computing specialists this year.
As if another sign were needed of the development and expansion of cloud computing technology, enterprise cloud computing company Salesforce.com recently announced its fourth quarter results for the fiscal year ending on January 31st.
The growth of an industry is not only defined by its expanding business, but also by the outreach of its companies to society as a whole. Salesforce.com, known as an innovative cloud computing provider, is now also becoming known as an innovator in the world of philanthropy.
The degree to which cloud computing growth will be driven by small businesses has been controversial among analysts and vendors. However, high hopes for the adoption of cloud computing in the small business sector have been prevalent at the Parallels Summit 2010, which describes itself as a "conference for industry leaders to discuss how to drive innovation, create differentiated service offerings, and build businesses that profit from the cloud."
One much appreciated benefit of cloud computing is its efficient, low-cost deployment. However, an article at PCWorld points out that for the investment to pay off, companies should keep in mind that "cloud computing architecture is something you do, not something you buy."
Cloud computing is well known to increase efficiency and decrease costs, but another aspect makes it uniquely poised to grow in popularity. An article at market resource Seeking Alpha proposes that cloud computing is a great choice for businesses to make their practices more environmentally conscious without complicating or inhibiting their day-to-day activity.
Though cloud computing is a growing development in business IT, it also has vast, unexplored potential for everyday consumer use. An Epoch Times article recently explored some of its possibilities.
According to a recent Forrester report, about one-third of all enterprises have already subscribed to software-as-a-service applications, or plan to do so within the next year.
As government agencies try to cut costs and maximize efficiency, many are turning to cloud computing and SaaS, among other technologies, to maintain operations.
Most companies have at least some sort of spam protection system, but as the volume of spam increases - now representing 80 to 90 percent of all emails, according to an M86 Security report - it is more and more important to optimize those operations. Many companies are finding that the best way to protect against spam is based on cloud computing.
Enterprise cloud computing company Salesforce.com has announced a private beta program for Salesforce Chatter, an innovative new enterprise collaboration application and platform. One hundred international companies in myriad industries with histories of Salesforce.com technology deployment have been selected to test the program.
Corporate IT is continuing a rapid trajectory to the cloud, but cloud computing seems rife with opportunities for other uses as well. In one potential use for everyday consumers, MediaPost predicts that many distributors of movies and other video content will begin using cloud computing.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs announced in a report to subscribers that a recent survey confirms IT services are overwhelmingly moving to cloud applications, CNET reports.
Large companies, with their sizable volumes of data, may seem like the best candidates for cloud computing. But small businesses stand to gain from the advantages of cloud computing too, points out a piece in the Chicago Daily Herald, with president of Chicago Technology Consulting Jason Burton calling cloud computing "the most exciting thing" in small business IT.
As scientists and researchers increasingly incorporate computer technology into their work, many have found that desktop computers have trouble handling the kinds of computations they need to do. In many fields, the delays this can cause are damaging, and the time and cost investment of maintaining an internal infrastructure is overwhelming. The solution? Cloud computing.
With next year's federal IT budget proposal calling cloud computing a "major part of the strategy to achieve efficient and effective IT," MeriTalk has developed a new online tool to help agencies begin to move applications to the cloud.
Enterprise cloud computing company Salesforce.com recently announced the launch of Force.com's Visual Process Manager, a new capability of the platform that can help companies efficiently design and automate complex business processes to run in the cloud.
Biomedical research not only has complicated subject matter, it is a challenge to conduct. With lives at stake, material is time sensitive, requires privacy, and must put forth considerable evidence to comprehensive peer review.
Many donors to charities expect their money to go directly to the foundation's programs - some even insist on it. However, an effective nonprofit has the same needs as a company, including IT considerations.
Federal IT spending will account for $79.4 billion of President Barack Obama's fiscal 2011 budget, a 1.2 percent increase from 2010. Much of this will go to the implementation of cloud computing systems.
ChannelWeb has reported that a survey by cloud computing-based email management service provider Mimecast has found that 70 percent of cloud users plan to locate more of their applications in the cloud.
CA's new CEO William McCracken said recently that the software corporation intends to spend $300 million on cloud computing and security software acquisitions this fiscal year and the next.
With six in 10 users of cloud computing reporting reduced IT capital costs according to an Enterprise Management Associates survey, it should be no surprise that leading cloud computing company Salesforce.com's own IT department is a dedicated user of the model.
A recent survey commissioned by business technology services provider Avanade and conducted by Kelton Research has found that companies are "embracing" SaaS for critical applications they consider "differentiators" for their business.
Salesforce.com has been named one of the top 20 "Coolest Cloud Platform Vendors" by ChannelWeb and one of the 100 "Best Companies to Work For" by Fortune magazine.
A recent survey by Enterprise Management Associates reports that six in 10 cloud computing customers have been able to reduce their IT capital costs. Users also say that the cloud model has helped improve service quality as well as reduce IT operations costs and management complexity, Data Center Knowledge reported.
IT service management is becoming the site of intense competition among SaaS venders as new venders such as BMC software and Service-now.com draw attention from IT professionals nationwide, IT consultant Jefferey M. Kaplan wrote in a blog post published Thursday.
The U.S. Census Bureau will use cloud computing technology to help lower operating costs and speed up delivery of services, according an article published Thursday.
Small and midsized businesses have much to gain and very little to lose by switching to cloud computing technology, according to an article published Thursday.
Brad Smith, general counsel for Microsoft, praised cloud computing in a speech at the Brookings Institution on Wednesday, and called on lawmakers to update legal standards affecting the implementation of cloud-based technologies
A growing number of government agencies worldwide are adopting cloud computing technologies in order to improve performance and reduce costs, one government IT analyst said at a recent forum of U.S. and Asian government IT leaders, according to a recent article.
Authentication and credential management provider ActivIdentity announced Tuesday that it will launch new cloud computing services to help web-based security service providers defend against threats and identity fraud.
Cloud computing and virtualization will be the top priorities for CIOs this year as businesses shift from traditional on-premise software and hardware to hosted solutions, according to a report released Monday.
SaaS applications are becoming critical to the success of a growing number of organizations as businesses come to rely on their fast implementation times and opportunities for capital and operational savings, according to a report released Saturday.
Real-time supply chain execution company TAKE Supply Chain announced Tuesday that it will release a new SaaS platform to support online supplier management for large and midsized enterprises.
Internet search company Google announced that users will soon be able to store and retrieve any type of file on its Google Docs application suite, and this could help close the gap between computers, mobile devices and cloud computing, according to an article published Tuesday.
Virtualization company VMware announced Tuesday that it will acquire email and collaboration software vendor Zimbra from Yahoo in order to expand its portfolio of cloud computing services.
Businesses will reduce their IT assets over the next several years as trends such as cloud computing and virtualization make it possible for firms to outsource all of their IT functions, according to a study released Wednesday.
Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard announced $250 million in new joint projects Wednesday designed to speed up cloud computing applications and implementation, as well as automate manual IT processes.
Software developers are accelerating their development of cloud computing applications for mobile devices as clients demand more out of mobile software solutions, according to a recent study.
On-premise and cloud computing storage company i365 recently announced the release of a new SaaS-enablement platform designed to help independent software venders send data efficiently and securely in the cloud so they can offer SaaS-based services.
IT management software company CA announced Monday that it has acquired Service Level Management provider Oblicore in a deal designed to expand CA's cloud computing vender management capabilities and cloud service quality.
Software developers will release a new generation of SaaS-based applications next year that will combine the benefits of both hosted and offline solutions, according to a blog post published Sunday.
Flexiant, a new cloud computing software and services firm, officially launched Monday after acquiring XCalibre Communications' Flexiscale cloud platform.
Managed secure hosting provider Just Technology announced new public cloud computing services on Monday designed especially for small and midsized businesses.
The rise of cloud computing has been the most popular topic of discussion by far among chief information officers in recent months as software venders of all types develop their own cloud-based solutions, one top IT analyst wrote in an article published Friday.
The Microsoft Azure enterprise cloud computing platform will have its full commercial release on February 1, the company revealed in a blog post on Monday.
Exploding data volumes and demands for massive computing capabilities will drive more companies toward cloud computing solutions in the coming years, one chief information officer wrote in a column published Wednesday.
SaaS vendors are making information technology project management software accessible to a new range of companies, including small businesses, one project management expert wrote in an article published Wednesday.
Agencies in the federal government will continue to invest in cloud computing technologies in 2010, one Salesforce.com executive predicted in an article published Tuesday.
IT departments in small and midsized firms will continue to invest in cloud computing services in 2010 as managers search for new ways to standardize hardware and software platforms, one analyst said in an interview published Tuesday.
Federal Trade Commission officials will host a series of discussions to examine strategies for improving cloud computing privacy and security over the next few months, a recent letter reveals.
The Navy announced that it will establish a new cloud computing network to manage data and services on a common hosted network accessible by users on land or at sea, according to a recent article.
IT security risk and compliance management software provider Qualsys announced Monday that it will host a cloud computing security webinar on January 7.
Security software developer Symantec plans to offer a range of new SaaS solutions in the coming months, a senior executive said in an interview published Wednesday.
Data center managers will turn to cloud computing to help save money and time in 2010 as cost concerns continue to dominate IT agendas, according to an article published Tuesday.
Next year will be an important time for cloud computing as major vendors try to complete their portfolios of cloud-based offerings through partnerships with smaller developers, according to a column published Tuesday.
Cost concerns could drive a number of federal agencies to switch private cloud computing solutions, a former CIA information technology chief wrote in an article published Monday.
SaaS technology can help independent software venders grow by meeting increasing demand for low-cost, scalable business solutions, according to a piece published Wednesday.
Security will continue to improve for cloud computing solutions over the next five years as services providers grow more sophisticated, EMC security division president Art Coviello said in an interview published Monday.
France Telecom subsidiary Orange announced Friday that it will launch a dozen new cloud computing services over the next two years, ranging from real-time business applications to infrastructure.
Federal officials announced that they will significantly expand the government's use of cloud computing technology through a series of IT initiatives next year at a panel hosted Thursday by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, according to a recent report.
The nonprofit Cloud Security Alliance outlined important cloud computing security issues and offered advice for users and vendors in a report released Thursday.
The recent acquisition by Microsoft of information technology process automation firm Opalis could help the software giant become the first firm to truly "bring cloud computing to the masses," according to Opalis president and chief executive Todd DeLaughter.
Sales performance management developer Callidus announced Thursday that it will significantly expand its cloud computing footprint in a series of new applications for the Force.com platform.
The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement announced Wednesday that Microsoft will join military and government officials, as well as a number of other cloud-based software developers, for a special summit on cloud computing in defense and government on February 22, 2010.
A range of PaaS solutions will start to challenge the dominance of SaaS over the next several years as companies vie for greater flexibility over their cloud computing applications, according to a recent report.
Consumer electronics company HP announced Wednesday that it is developing three new solutions to help enterprises and telecommunications service providers make the switch to cloud computing.
Nonprofit community development organization Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services will use CounselorDirect's SaaS-based software to speed up loan modifications and distribute information to homeowners about foreclosure prevention programs, according to a statement released Monday.
