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To understand hybrid cloud, it is important to understand the basics of cloud computing services, its models – software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) – and deployment methods – private, public, and of course hybrid. But why choose between public or private cloud when you can have the best of both worlds?

Hybrid clouds take advantage of the benefits of both environments to create a super breed of cloud built to help enterprises get the most return on investment by managing mission critical data on-premises in a private cloud while moving less critical or ‘bursty’ applications to a public cloud.

Hybrid cloud can be a hybrid SaaS, a hybrid PaaS or hybrid IaaS and can be really valuable for dynamic or highly changeable workloads. Hybrid SaaS combines SaaS solutions with an on-premise software application to provide the benefits of SaaS with more security and user control.

The functional aspect of the software is presented through the cloud, hosted by the software provider. A user logs into the application from a web browser and accesses a cloud-hosted environment including the user interface, functionality, and mechanism that moves files. The users’ data, however, is stored in whatever environment they choose until it is encrypted and transferred over the Internet.

With hybrid SaaS, you can store data on an on-premise server that is managed by your organisation or you can use the cloud. The user now has more control over where to keep the storage. Security concerns are eliminated without sacrificing the benefit of cloud software.

Whilst the most common needs to adopt cloud computing in an organisation remain the same, such as full elasticity, measured service, broad access, self service and resource pooling, understanding the unique business needs is also crucial to adopt the best cloud offering. These needs can be unique and change over time, hence why choosing a cloud that communicate and shares information securely in the private cloud or hybrid cloud is critical.

Some products can provide a powerful suite of solutions to enable internal and external collaboration, client engagement, and help manage complex transactions and processes. Ideally, having a platform that combines internal and external collaboration in one secure space which can be accessed from anywhere and from any device proves to be the most effective when it comes to collaboration and managing data in the cloud.

Manufacturing has widely adopted standardized and automated processes to create designs, build them, and maintain them through their life cycle. However, many modern manufacturing systems go beyond mechanized workflows to introduce empowered workers, flexible collaboration, and rapid iteration.
Such behaviors also characterize open source software development and are at the heart of DevOps culture, processes, and tooling.

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Electric power utilities face relentless pressure on their financial performance, and reducing distribution grid losses is one of the last untapped opportunities to meet their business goals. Combining IoT-enabled sensors and cloud-based data analytics, utilities now are able to find, quantify and reduce losses faster – and with a smaller IT footprint. Solutions exist using Internet-enabled sensors deployed temporarily at strategic locations within the distribution grid to measure actual line loads.

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The time of year when crystal balls get a viewing and many pundits put out their annual predictions for the coming year. Rather than thinking up my own, I figured I’d regurgitate what many others are expecting to happen.
7 Future Predictions for the Internet of Things – IoT is one of the hottest terms and trends. From connected cars, homes, businesses and more, connected devices are becoming more prevalent in our lives. Stable Kernel looks at the future economic growth, development of smart cities, wearables, privacy challenges and how voice commands will become the norm.
Top 10 Humanoid Robots Designed To Match Human Capabilities And Emotions – While once a dream of The Jetsons, companion robots in the home will become as common as pets, even if the pet is a robot. WT VOX explores whether robots could fully replace humans by 2045 as some predict and takes a look at the top 10 that are starting to match human capability.

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Mobility and cloud computing have combined to obliterate any so-called network security perimeter. Corporate data has now been let loose to roam in a world of cyber thieves, manipulators and untrusted infrastructure. What is a security professional to do?
According to Bill Odell, the Dell Vice President of Marketing for Endpoint Device Management, you need to protect the enterprise front door. Since devices are the network’s gateways, endpoint device management is now the key to protecting your enterprise data. That is why I was truly excited to speak with Bill at Dell Peak Performance in Las Vegas earlier this year.

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This IBM Redbooks® Point-of-View publication discusses cloud workloads on the mainframe. A cloud built on a mainframe, such as IBM® zEnterprise® or others in the IBM System z® family, has several distinct advantages.

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One cloud does not fit all organizations.
That’s true whether it is a public or private cloud. A hybrid cloud option allows your business to create a custom solution that fits your organizational needs.
However, there are always questions with new solutions. We reached out to industry thought leaders to answer some of the marketplace’s most pressing questions on hybrid cloud.
In this eBook, you’ll learn why thought leaders like Kevin Jackson, founder and CEO GovCloud Network, look at hybrid cloud from the viewpoint of hybrid IT. You’ll also hear from Shelly Kramer, co-CEO, V3+Broadsuite, on what CIOs need to consider when adopting hybrid cloud.

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As I mentioned before, SaaS is not just a software product, but also a service. In addition, due to the fact that the product is constantly enhanced and upgraded, it requires more active management than a traditional COTS product.
I have found that SaaS implementations are most successful when the business function and IT teams work together to select, deploy and operate SaaS products. In many organizations, SAAS products are identified and selected by the business and IT is engaged later in the process. It is important to involve the IT team early for proper technical due-diligence before the product is acquired. While it is best for the business function to assume overall functional responsibility for the solution, it is important for IT remain engaged on an ongoing basis to manage Cybersecurity, Integrations, and complex Reporting and Data Analytics.

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“We announced CryptoScript, it’s a new way of programming a hardware security module, which technically requires standard APIs and very specific knowledge. With CryptoScript we hope to change that a bit,” explained Johannes Lintzen, Vice President of Sales at Utimaco, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 17th Cloud Expo, held November 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.

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