Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Cloud computing is in simple terms software as a service (SAAS).  Remember back when the first spreadsheet Lotus 123 came out.  We rec`d a disc, loaded it on our computer and simply did a basic spreadsheet.   Then came windows and excel, which is still based on our own hard-drive, but offers the spreadsheet services at a much higher level.

Cloud computing for software is going to be what windows was to the screen of your desktop.  Some argue that computing with cloud services is not going to be that big.  I like Tim O`Reilly`s article, which makes reference to Larry Ellison`s of (Oracle) comments regarding the companies offering (SAAS).  

Cloud computing is here to stay?  As this topic grows, I hope others will assist in making that point.

Could we say that a blog application is cloud computing? Like, for example, Wordpress.com, where the blog is on their site?

Craig,

That would be a good example.  The blog is out on other servers, which does not take up space of the user.  The blog site can also do upgrades, which does not create any downtime for the users.  Now think how this same process can save companies thousands of dollars.  Companies no longer have to take on the risk of costly upgrades to older versions.  Considering many of the older version run on Oracle or SAP applications, which requires 100`s if not 1000`s of lines of code. This in of itself cost companies millions each year in upgrade risk, and human errors in coding.  Don`t get me wrong, those larger applications do provide a very robust solution, however it can take months or even years to get them to that level.  I will be adding some additional details how a unique company is building an all in one cloud solution, which will be able to cover a wide array of business needs (from CRM to Risk Management).  As a company adopts more applications within cloud computing solutions, the efficiency level will add higher profit margins, which leads to happy stock holders.

Alright, I wonder then how "total" would cloud computing ever become. The two obstacles would be 1) speed, and 2) personal control over data.

I think there are plenty of good reasons for cloud computing. Financial and employee savings would be excellent. But I remember when "data terminals" and diskless workstations were going to take over the world.

Those never replaced personal computers with onboard applications. I think it`s because people want to be independent of the Internet. Maybe not all the time, but a good percentage of the time.

What I could see, maybe, would be something like having the main applications on both local and network machines. Or at least have the choice.

It`d be very nice if I could create a Word document on my own machine, at the beach or wherever, using Word on my laptop. But then I`d like to email the document to someone who could open it through an online version of Word running "in the cloud."

Isn`t that Open Doc....or whatever it`s called, from Google?

But to think that we`re going to entirely eliminate localized applications I think is unlikely.

Good point.   Just being able to send info over to someone (in this case a Word doc), and have that same someone be able to open the letter (via online Word version), would be great. Assuming they do not have a word doc on their system. They can review the doc just as it was originally prepared.

When a company uses (SaaS)  Software as a Service, each user gets the live updates, live messaging, alerts, document/file management, project pipeline reports and much much more.  Security is always important.  Before anyone uses SaaS.  They need to check onto what levels are in place, and how many different levels are availaible.  The services we put in place offer 4 effective levels, along with on the spot changes for high level application admins to be able to lock out an old employee on the spot, base on his/her`s permission levels. 

Next time we hear a message about a lap top missing from some gov`t location (what they call an information breach) we can relax.  Since, in the cloud, that laptop/computor is useless.  This information is locked and stored away from the 1000`s employees harddrives.  This is just a small benefit of cloud computing.  Companies still have the need for servers stored in their own facilities.  

As the cloud applications keep growing, we will be their to assist within the new environment.

Doug Masi

The cloud has been a godsend for my startup.  I began as a one person operation and recruited a few friends to work with me.  We needed a way to communicate and project manage in a low cost yet efficient way. 

I searched online for a virtual office solution and found a company called Infostreet (www.infostreet.com) The way it works is I pay per user, per month.  The cost is dependent on the services I choose which include e-mail, CRM, and file sharing.  The more add ons you use the more it costs obviously. With that being said, I`ve saved a ton of money.  Every one of my employees can use this software from their home computer without the need to buy expensive software and hardware upgrades.

Djon makes a good point about data not being stored on a physical drive.  However, you have to think about hackers trying to steal your data from a SaaS companie`s servers.  It`s important to note that you should choose a company that prioritizes security. 

I think that`s officially the longest post I`ve ever written =)  What do you guys think?




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Jennifer Kim
Founder and CEO
Sweet and Single LLC
"The Premiere Dating Service for Asian American Professionals"

Jennifer,

That is a perfect example of a direct benefit which small business will gain from a (SaaS) solution (Cloud Computing).  Now imagine when you put that on a large scale with complete Enterprise Solutions for big companies.  As we move from the Information age the the Knowledge age, the changes (for the better) for businesses will be tremendous. 

For example, a recent setup was completed on an application which took no more then 30 days to put in place, compared to the 6 to 8 month time line the competition was quoting.  Not to mention the $500,000 savings to the client.  

We do setups from $10,000 and up.  Once the client is setup, it is simply a flat rate.  They pay not more for any of the additional services.  That is were the savings come into play.  Once a client is up and running, they may need to add a Work Flow System, or a Inventory Tracking Solution.  All we do is customize the setup (2 to 6 weeks) and turn them on.  No additional cost, unless they need to add more users.  This alone can save a company $100,000 to $300,000 in setting up another whole application.

I just love living in this amazing world of advanced teck services.  I would love to see all our business running at their maximum efficiency, however that will always be an ongoing process with any company.

Thanks for you input.

Will add some additional content and links in the near future.  Anyone is welcome to add  interesting links on cloud computing.

Craig,

There is a new movement surfacing around the value of traditional enterprise IT “maturity models”, standards such as CMMI as an example, and whether or not those apply to Cloud Computing. The new success measure is quickly becoming agility – as measured through the business itself, which to this point has been driven by the SOA movement.

Please read through the blogs and think about how we strategically present URAD along with inherent QBOS orthogonality to encompass, advance, and define this new agility model…and a new measurement. I think this will go a long way in representing QBOS as the “fabric” by which new business partnerships will form…Tradespaces. Speaking smartly about this will also begin to chip away at switching fears in that some will begin to see that the value in adopting this kind of model for their IT strategy far outweighs the risks.

Here’s an excerpt from the blog link below. Interesting read:

 

“…the greater the degree of variability that can be tolerated by the system, the greater agility that you’ve enabled for the business.”

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/12/cloud_maturity.html

I understand where this is going, and I don`t disagree with the concept or the implementation. I think it`s always better to have faster access, more agility, and so forth. But where I tend to focus my attention is on the human factor, not so much the technology factor.

Over the years, I`ve watched the entire technology sector repeatedly screw itself up by getting all caught up in the toys and gadgets. For me, the definitive example is computer hardware versus the MIDI interface in music.

I spent years working in offices and corporations after I left the music business, and most of that time working in the production end of corporate America. I saw the way typical people interact with technology, and how much of that technology was really just a waste of time, money, and effort.

That`s not to say that the underlying ideas and the core technology was bad or a waste. No, it`s the over-hype and unrealistic expectations I think people have, that "computers" replace actual thought and human analysis.

Human work and effort, particularly in the workaday world is like water. It flows downhill, and always takes the easiest route. We can make things go uphill if there`s a compelling reason, but generally speaking we`ll choose the easiest path. Cloud computing will be a big thing IF it`s easier than wide-area networks, internal networks, and standalone machines.

But it will always come back to the way everyday people perceive the technology and its implementation.