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02.3.2012

Much More in this Year’s Cloud Connect

Last year’s Cloud Connect, the premier technnology event for cloud computing, was a success. This year, tech enthusiasts have much more to look forward to. On February 13-16, the Sta. Clara Convention Center in California will be the venue for almost 100 companies who will showcase the latest cloud technology, hardware, software and service providers.

Aside from focusing on mobile cloud and big data processing, the event will also host the first Annual CloudNOW Awards. This initiative was conducted by CloudNOW, a forum for networking, sharing and economic growth. This year, the group will be awarding the 10 Outstanding Women in Cloud Computing for their contributions, accomplishments and thought leadership.

Some notable companies that will be participating in the event are:

• LinkedIn
• American Airlines
• US Federal Government
• Smith Electric Vehicles

Read the full release about this year’s Cloud Connect, visit The Sacramento Bee.

Interxion Survey: Who is Leading the Way in Cloud Usage?

A Europe-wide survey was conducted in 2011 for current and intended cloud usage; the aim was to gain a better understanding of what the objectives and concerns of organizations are on cloud computing, as reported in the Interxion survey.

Though there was a significant amount of executives who are using or are planning to use cloud technology, small companies are still leading the way in terms of cloud usage. When asked what was driving investment in the cloud, the results were:

• Infrastructure cost (67%)
• Flexibility (54%)
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BC&DR) (40%)

The survey was quite extensive as it also covered other aspects such as barriers and challenges, commonly used applications and how is cloud tomorrow.

Visit the Interxion site and read the full report on the results of the survey.

Cloud Computing Similar to Moving to a New House

An entry in the Enterprise Services Blog of HP likened an organization’s move to the cloud to moving to a new house. Quite interestingly, the author stated some points that shows the similarities:

1. Assessment – Based on key drivers that determine which move to make
2. Clutter Removal – Inventory check; choosing only what is needed
3. Neighborhood – Assessment of providers on security, track record, SLA, etc
4. Upgrading – Opportunity for applications modernization
5. Cost – Analyzing financing plans available

Read the full blog and see the other aspects on moving to the cloud and how it was compared to moving to a new house. Visit HP’s Enterprise Services Blog now.

SOASTA’s TouchTest Technology

SOASTA, the performance testing company has recently extended its CloudTest application to mobile devices. The addition of TouchTest will be able to record and play back touch-based interaction on iOS and Android devices.

This new technology will help developers and publishers in performing assessments and identify problems on usabilty and technical flaws.

This application is now available and is offered in various forms such as within a package or just and enhancement.

Visit Information Week and read the full article to see what else the technology enhancement does and how programmers and mobile application developers will benefit from it.

A Week in the Clouds

This article by blogger and tech enthusiast, Eric Sisler, checks to see if cloud technology is indeed everywhere. The test is conducted by looking for cloud-based solutions or applications for anything that he will need which requires using technology during that week.

Satisfyingly, the blogger announces that he has discovered some useful cloud-based applications:

• Google Docs – Office application
• Think Free – Office application
• Zoho – Office Application
• Trip It – An Itinerary management tool

This is pretty much the takeaways from day 1. Sisler admits and foresees “increasing clouds” in the future. Visit the full article at Deseret News and find out the results of the cloud test.

How Do You Secure Your Cloud?

With all the security concerns looming around cloud technology, the Federal Government through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, spearheaded the initiative to further understanding and recently issued a set of 7 working guidelines on cloud security and privacy:

1. Plan – Cloud computing should be approached carefully with due consideration to sensitivity of data
2. Understand – Delineation of responsibilities over computing environment and implications for security and privacy
3. Align – Adjustments to cloud computing environment based on an organization’s security and privacy needs

These are just the first 3 guidelines; visit Forbes.com and read the rest of the article and find out what the other 4 guidelines are.

Cloud-Based Absentee Voting

Good news for military and overseas Americans: With the help of the Federal Voting Assistance Program and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, a cloud-based application was deployed that enables voters to gain access to an absentee ballot online.

An article in pdspc.com reports that the technology was tested by more than 1,200 Florida voters from 40 counties prior to the January 31 elections. The technology is also available in California, Virginia and voters with disabilities in Washington.

The user-friendly platform is believed to increase the submission of absentee ballots on time since the need to request ballots by main will make it much easier for members to access their ballots and therefore participate in elections.

The developers see a bright future for this technology including a mobile development which will further improve the numbers on absentee ballots.

Read the full article on the new technology, visit pdspc.com now.

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02.2.2012

Retailers are now able to compete with other e-commerce giants.

The first ever all-channel commerce platform hosted through managed service was introduced at the 101^st Annual Retail Convention and Expo. According to an article in Retail Solutions Online, this solution: Red Prairie Commerce Cloud, integrates several software modules on a single enterprise platform in the cloud. These applications include:

• Store center
• Call center
• E-commerce
• Business intelligence
• Embedded order management

To further elaborate, Red Prairie Commerce Cloud connects global supply chain to the store network and online presence that will aid retailers in providing excellent customer experience, regardless of the touchpoint used such as web, mobile web, call center interface, interactive consumer products, etc.

Cloud technology has reached the retail industry as new quick, resourceful and adaptable commerce platforms are being offered to e-business professionals.

Find out what other new features that Red Prairie Commerce Cloud has in store for e-retailers, visit Retail Solutions Online.

Be Part of Our Cloud Conversation

Our articles are written to provide you with tools and information to meet your IT and cloud solution needs. Join us on Facebook and Twitter.