I think the new cloud killer apps for enterprises will leverage cloud-integrated data centers (or true hybrid cloud adoption), and will strategically transform IT operating models. Those killer apps will include cloud-enabled agility, protection and scalability.
The public cloud has been promoted as a low cost alternative to physical data center infrastructure, mostly to small and medium-sized businesses. That has driven the creation of a robust category of cloud migration services which has emerged as these smaller businesses have made considerable investments in moving their apps from colocation and data center environments into public clouds.
Enterprises, however, have been notably slower to invest in public cloud and cloud migration, at least in proportion to their overall IT budgets. There are many reasons for the slower enterprise adoption of public loud (IaaS) and they have been discussed extensively. I think what is missing is a more robust discussion of the next killer apps for the cloud; the enterprise game changers.
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Cloud: Commoditizing End Users
Prioritization. It’s something that’s built into nearly every technology, particularly that which services network traffic. Rate shaping. Queuing. Coloring bits.
We do a lot of interesting gyrations with technology to ensure that some user traffic and requests are more equal than others.
Today we still do the same thing, but it’s done in different ways. Software as a Service charges a premium for “extra” API calls, for example, and if you want access to premium content there’s sure to be a paywall in front of it.
But that’s at the service level. It’s not the same as prioritization of individual users; of affording specific users privileges of some kind based either on their position (No, no, the CEO can’t have his e-mail be delayed – never apply bandwidth limiting policies to him) or on their customer status (They’re a “gold” customer, make sure their requests go to the fastest application instance).
BYOD: Quick Tips and Facts
By Francis Czekalski, Enterprise Consultant
There’s no doubt that BYOD is a top buzzword and priority for IT decision maker in 2013. This is certainly a complex issue that requires a lot of planning and commitment if your organization expects positive results. Below are a couple quick points on BYOD that your organization should keep in mind when implementing and monitoring a policy.
- BYOD programs have the effect of increasing the lifespan of devices because people tend to take care of items better since they are choosing the type of device.
- Security is a HUGE issue around BYOD. BYOD programs can increase security, but, when not monitored correctly can actually lead to a whole new pathway for data leakage.
- Offline computing still tends to be an issue so some hybrid model needs to be adopted.
- It is often believed that with a BYOD program you no longer need to support the clients- this is simply not the case. User productivity will demand that some touch is done on the end user’s computer.
A couple interesting findings from a recent study from Dell (http://tabtimes.com/news/ittech-stats-research/2013/01/22/study-it-managers-must-embrace-byod-or-risk-being-left-behind)…
- 70% of IT Decision makers believe BYOD helps boost employee productivity and customer response time.
- 59% of IT Decision makers believe they would be at a competitive disadvantage if they did not embrace personally-owned devices
- 56% of IT Decision makers believe that BYOD has completely changed their company’s culture
If you’d like some more information on BYOD and mobile device management, download this free webinar.
What’s your opinion on BYOD? Has your organization implemented a policy? If not, do you plan on implementing one? Why or why not?
SoftLayer Achieves SOC 2 Certification Across Global Footprint
“SOC 2 exams are rigorous independent assessments, geared toward technology service providers, especially those running data centers,” said Val Stinson, director of compliance for SoftLayer as SoftLayer Technologies announced that it successfully completed its Service Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II examination for the company’s 13 data centers, located in the United States, Singapore and the Netherlands.
“With our successful completion of testing, we’re able to provide our customers with greater insights into our controls, procedures and systems for our entire portfolio of cloud based services,” Stinson continued. “To date, approximately 100 customers have requested our SOC 2 Type II report as a part of their compliance efforts.”
The examination, conducted by independent accounting and auditing firm Weaver, evaluated the processes, procedures and controls for security and availability at SoftLayer’s facilities for the year-ending October 31, 2012.
Rackspace Buys MongoDB DBaaS Start-Up
Rackspace has bought ObjectRocket, a year-old MongoDB Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) start-up.
ObjectRocket’s open source MongoDB solution is supposed to broaden the Rackspace OpenStack cloud platform and expand Rackspace’s ability to help customers run Big Data in the cloud.
The acquisition closed Wednesday on undisclosed terms.
The 451 Group projects NoSQL software revenue growing at a CAGR of 82% to reach $215 million by 2015. Rackspace expects ObjectRocket to give it a “strong presence” in the high-growth NoSQL database market.
ObjectRocket’s software will be available in early March for Rackspace customers in its Chicago facility and will soon be integrated across Rackspace’s open cloud portfolio.
2012 year-end results show tepid progress among CRM outsourcers
Peter Ryan, Lead Analyst, IT Services
Through 2012, many CRM outsourcers struggled to adjust to ongoing economic uncertainty, as well as shifting requirements from clients in terms of supporting mobility and social media solutions. However, there were encouraging signs from the standpoint of financial performance, with a number of the sector’s major players managing to moderately increase revenues and maintain profitability.
Going forward, we believe the challenge for many contact centre service players will be to grow their turnovers and margins beyond single digits, a feat that has been difficult for many since the global financial crisis.
CRM outsourcing results for 2012 were encouraging, but not breathtaking
The overall picture for the contact centre outsourcing space at the end of 2012 was relatively positive, but nothing to write home about, with some players posting negative results for the year.
Notwithstanding a solid Q4 performance, there is no question that …
How cloud computing is redefining the M&A landscape
In 2013, expect to see the pace of mergers and acquisitions for cloud computing, mobile and analytics technologies accelerate as software vendors look to fill gaps in their product and service strategies. This and other key insights of how cloud computing is reshaping the merger and acquisition landscape can be found in the latest Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) report published today.
The US Technology M&A insights: Analysis and Trends in US Technology M&A Activity 2013 provides an excellent overview of merger, acquisitions, private equity, divestures, cross-border transactions across the five key industry sectors.
The report, free for download, covers the Internet, IT Services, hardware and networking, software, and semiconductor sectors.
Enterprise Software Players: In Search of Sticky Revenue and Higher Margins
The major catalysts driving cloud deals forward in 2013 are enterprise software companies’ need to redefine their business models and find sources of sticky revenue that can …