Latest News from Cloud News Desk

MindTouch Introduces New Cloud-Based Business Platform

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:45:00 EST

"The more I look at what they've done, the more I realize they've built a business platform more than a technology platform," said Sam Ramji, Vice President of Strategy at Sonoa Systems, as it was announced today that MindTouch, the open source alternative to Microsoft SharePoint, has today extended its popular enterprise collaboration platform to the cloud.

Move Over BI, Here Comes PI - Performance Intelligence

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

"As companies such as MySpace continue to expand the richness of their site, the big thing is trying to seek a higher level of customer experience by replicating "beyond capacity" in a test environment, so that a company can see what it is exactly that they will need when traffic surges to peak levels and beyond, so that they know the "risk points" of their own success," Tom Lounibos, CEO of SOASTA, told SYS-CON's Jeremy Geelan in an interview with Cloud Computing Journal on the day that SOASTA announced a significant test of the newly launched MySpace Music Videos hub using the Cloud.

Cloud Converter for Force.com Now Available

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

Salesforce.com Dreamforce Conference -- Model Metrics, the leader in cloud computing services for the enterprise and a premier partner of salesforce.com, today announced the availability of Cloud Converter for Force.com on the salesforce.com AppExchange. With Cloud Converter, Salesforce CRM and Force.com users can convert an Excel spreadsheet into an application on Force.com with just a few simple clicks. The announcement was made today at Dreamforce 2009, salesforce.com's user and developer conference.

ParaScale Introduces Open Private Cloud Storage Platform

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:15:00 EST

ParaScale today introduced ParaScale Cloud Storage software (PCS) R2.0. The new release targets enterprise storage administrators who must economically scale capacity and performance, and service providers who want to offer a variety of storage cloud services. ParaScale’s open solution leverages any commodity hardware running Red Hat Enterprise Linux OS or CentOS, and can integrate applications directly onto storage nodes. PCS R2.0 also provides integration capabilities into virtualized environments and web services.

Virtualization & Consolidation: Leveraging Dynamic Infrastructure

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:06:00 EST

View our educational webcast, “Virtualization & Consolidation: Leveraging Dynamic Infrastructure for Cost Savings, Ease of Management & Security,” lead by Steve Dowling, Architect and Level 10 Systems Engineer at Mainline Information Systems.

JReport Supports Eclipse and Cloud Computing

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Jinfonet Software announces the General Availability of JReport 9.1, providing JReport Cloud and JReport Designer for Eclipse. JReport Cloud provides agility for rapidly and inexpensively re-provisioning infrastructure resources, greatly reduces the cost on hardware, software, and services when users pay only for what they use.

Global DataGuard to Deliver Security for Cloud Computing Environments

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Global DataGuard today announced plans to develop a Unified Cloud Security solution by extending its award-winning, systemic security architecture to support cloud or hybrid networks, in addition to premise-based environments. With commercial availability scheduled for Q1 2010, Global DataGuard’s Enterprise UTM for Cloud Computing offering will fully integrate patented network behavior analysis and correlation technology with PCI-enabled intrusion detection and prevention; vulnerability scanning and management; log management, analysis and monitoring; network access and policy monitoring, and comprehensive threat management capabilities, including prioritized network, global and vendor threats and vulnerabilities. This unified security anywhere™ approach will enable customers to fortify their existing premise-based, cloud or hybrid network infrastructure and future-proof current IT investments with a holistic architecture and applications portfolio that provide virtually unlimited scalability, full regulatory compliance and up to a 60% reduction in network security costs.

iLinc for Salesforce CRM Now Available on the Salesforce.com AppExchange

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

iLinc, a provider of web and video conferencing solutions and services, today announced the availability of iLinc for Salesforce CRM on the AppExchange. iLinc for Salesforce CRM combines iLinc’s feature-rich web collaboration and conferencing technology with the data management functionality of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, enabling organizations to host high-impact online events while ensuring real-time visibility into key registration and attendance information.

Adaptive Computing Delivers Moab for HP ProLiant and BladeSystem Platforms

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:07:00 EST

Adaptive Computing said today it has signed an agreement for HP to resell Moab Adaptive Computing Suite for HP ProLiant and BladeSystem server families to integrate in highly scalable and flexible infrastructure solutions for high performance computing (HPC), datacenter and cloud computing customers.

Complete Enterprise IP Telephony for 50+ Employees

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Learn what an Premise PBX system can do for you and understand what issues you should consider during your decision-making process. Traditional business PBX (Private Branch eXchange) and TDM (time-division multiplexing) systems are fast becoming outdated and obsolete and oftentimes do not conform with VoIP or SIP; negatively impacting a company’s ability to communicate.

VoIP-News Phone Systems Buyer’s Guide

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Every business today is looking to cut costs in these slowing economic times. Now, learn how to save costs by choosing the right IP office phone system. Many companies are transitioning from either a Centrex service or Key system / PBX product to a state-of-the-art Hosted IP or IP PBX telephony solution for immediate cost savings.

IT Compliance Perspectives & Best Practices

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST

In this webcast, you will hear from Lisa J. Berry-Tayman, Esq, a legal expert specializing in Information Technology Law and from Don Bailey, a technology specialist at Mainline Information Systems who can help you sort through different solutions in the marketplace.

Energy Efficiency: Leverage Dynamic Infrastructure for Cost Savings

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Get the critical information you need to transform your data center by implementing a solution based on the greatest possible computing power with the lowest possible energy expenditure. View our educational webcast, “Energy Efficiency: Leverage Dynamic Infrastructure for Cost Savings, Improved Service & Risk Management,” lead by Steve Dowling, Architect and Level 10 Systems Engineer at Mainline Information Systems.

Business Resiliency Strategies: From Basic to Bullet-Proof

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

In a time where companies and consumers rely on the internet for immediate results, we are seeing a shift in the amount of tolerance business leaders have for IT disruptions. Just one minute of downtime can have a negative impact on revenue. The very definition of a disruption has changed to include not just the traditional natural disaster, but any event that disturbs this fast-paced operational flow - from a merger or acquisition, to a new government regulation, to a scheduled system upgrade. This course will cover the latest best practices for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning. We will hear from BCDR technology and solutions experts as well as a Senior Business Continuity Manager from a leading financial Institution, who will be sharing their lessons learned.

Demystifying the Cloud: Important Opportunities, Crucial Choices

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST

The growing popularity of outsourced computing is no surprise. Together, with the now wide-availability of compact, commodity servers has fueled the demand for a wide range of cloud computing models. The promise? The ability to instantly acquire – and just as quickly dispose of – infrastructure elements needed to perform computing tasks of any scale, at lower costs and lower capital.

Essentials of Cloud Computing by Gartner VP Tom Bittman

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST

Gartner Data Center Conference, Dec 1-4 in Las Vegas delivers tactics and strategies on your hottest issues: next-stage virtualization, the impact of cloud computing, best practices in cost optimization, managing escalating energy costs, the aging infrastructure, and more.

Cloud Computing Scenario: Extracting Business Value From the Hype

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Gartner Application Architecture, Development & Integration Summit, Dec 7-9 in Las Vegas. Learn the latest on Cloud computing, SOA, Event Processing, Agile, Application governance, Application development life cycle, Application and data integration, Application modernization, and more.

Which Cloud Is Right for You?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:45:00 EST

When enterprises and data centers evaluate cloud technologies and various solutions move their applications to the cloud computing paradigm, there are many important decisions to consider, such as Will the applications be portable? Are there significant code changes and workflow changes related to moving to the cloud?

4th International Cloud Expo: Photo Album

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST

SYS-CON's 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, held on November 2 – 4, 2009, in Santa Clara, attracted more than 50 sponsors with over 2,200 delegates, a record attendance. The three content-packed days emphasized value with a rich array of sessions led by exceptional speakers about the business and technical value of cloud computing. Enjoy here the photo album of the show.

The Cloud Computing Kettle Heats Right Up

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

The past month has seen an unprecedented concentration of Cloud-related articles, events, tweets, and - above all - product launches, partnership announcements and M&A moves. So is Cloud Computing, after three years, finally coming to the boil? Here, by way of allowing you to judge for yourself, SYS-CON's Cloud Computing Journal brings you a timeline of the trajectory of the Cloud so far.

Monetizing the Cloud: Assessing Billing and Payment Providers

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST

Billing capability is a critical ingredient in business success and sustainability in the Cloud. Effective billing and payment solutions are essential in enabling monetization, providing agility in competitive situations, managing the channel, and reducing operational costs for any Cloud services provider.

i365 Collaborates on Cloud Data Protection Solution with Microsoft

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

i365, Inc., today announced a collaboration with Microsoft on development of a heterogeneous solution that will allow IT managers to extend Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2010 across non-Microsoft platforms and into the cloud, using i365’s EVault data protection software and cloud-connected storage solutions infrastructure. The combined solution will be available in several configurations. The first configuration will include an appliance-based backup solution, powered by Seagate® technology, which is scheduled for delivery in first half of 2010 with the release to manufacturing of DPM 2010. This collaboration includes both technology and joint go-to-market components.

Vordel Appoints Spike Reply as Partner

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Vordel’s products provide governance, acceleration, integration, and security for SOA and Cloud Computing. Spike Reply has established a SOA Center of Excellence division to assist its Customers exploit the opportunities presented by adopting a SOA-based approach to their business processes. Built on a bedrock of products from leading vendors, Spike Reply is delivering on its goal of enabling its customers build agile enterprises responsive to increasingly competitive and arduous trading conditions.

Security and Compliance in the Cloud

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Terry Woloszyn, Founder of PerspecSys, emphasized security and compliance in his session at the 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, held at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Nov. 2 – 4. In his session – “Addressing Data Privacy, Residency, and Security when Adopting Cloud Applications” - focused on new technologies and techniques that allow sensitive data to appear to be in the cloud, but really remain behind the enterprise firewall. Woloszyn emphasized that “there should be a segregation of the data and the functionality. All the business sensitive date should be behind the firewall.”

Bridging the Gap Between Public and Private Clouds

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST

"On the supply side, interviews with cloud-enabled providers reveal that there are a lot of activities already underway to support enterprises of all kinds," noted Agatha Poon, speaking at the 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.

New Relic and RightScale Announce Broader Partnership at Cloud Expo

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

New Relic announced today at the 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo the enhanced integration of New Relic RPM with RightScale's cloud management platform, enabling one-click activation of New Relic's monitoring and troubleshooting solution for Java applications.

SOASTA Adds Support for Open Source Testing from the Cloud at Cloud Expo

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST

SOASTA, a provider cloud testing, today announced that performance engineers can now build web application tests in Apache JMeter, the most popular open source load testing tool, and run them in SOASTA's Global Test Cloud. Deploying JMeter tests to the Cloud has been a complex, time-consuming and manual process. SOASTA now makes it dramatically easier for the JMeter community to create, deploy, execute and analyze load and performance tests in the Cloud.

Is it a Perfect Storm for Cloud Federation?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

"On the supply side, interviews with cloud-enabled providers reveal that there are a lot of activities already underway to support enterprises of all kinds," notes Agatha Poon, who this coming week will be speaking at the 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.

Telcordia Helps Enterprises Reduce of Configuration Errors in IP Networks

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Telcordia, a provider of communications network software and services for IP, wireline, wireless and cable, is enabling enterprises and government agencies to take advantage of the opportunities now available through the wide-spread adoption of cloud computing technologies. Telcordia is addressing the challenge with Telcordia® IP Assure, a scalable, non-intrusive software that detects and helps to rectify configuration errors in IP network devices.

4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo Starts Today

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:10:00 EST

A round-up of the wide range of important issues and timely topics due to be discussed by over 130 industry experts at SYS-CON's 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, opening today at the Santa Clara Convention Center, November 2-4, 2009. From Building Scalable and Extensible RIAs in the Cloud to Yahoo! Cloud @ Internet Scale.

ParaScale CTO to Discuss Cloud Storage Best Practices at Cloud Expo

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EDT

ParaScale, Inc, a provider of developing cloud storage solutions, announced today that the company's Chief Technology Officer, Cameron Bahar, will speak to attendees of Sys-Con's Cloud Computing Conference and Expo about best practices in cloud storage, on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. ParaScale will also demonstrate its Cloud Storage software during the conference in booth #123.

Bringing Cloud Computing Down to Earth with Ultra Low-Cost Endpoints

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Cloud-based computing infrastructures deliver broad-based functionality to end users in far-flung locales but too often the destination device remains a PC. Developments in virtual desktop technology are creating a new generation of ultra low-cost endpoints such as network monitors, set-top boxes, next-generation netbooks, and kiosks.

Akamai Named “Silver Sponsor” of Cloud Computing Expo

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EDT

SYS-CON Events announced today that Akamai, the leader in web application acceleration and performance management, was named "Silver Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo (www.CloudComputingExpo.com), which will take place on November 2 - 4, 2009, Santa Clara Convention Center, in Santa Clara, California. The event is expected to attract over 1,500 developers, engineers, architects, IT managers, and hardware and software professionals of every stripe.

Migrating an Enterprise Application to the Cloud: A Case Study

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EDT

Migrating enterprise applications to the Cloud raises multiple questions: user experience, data security and compliance, cost of migration, and a framework to assess return on investment. In his session at Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, Anil Parambath, VP, Operations at CSS Corp., will highlight a step-wise evaluation framework for migrating an enterprise payroll application to Amazon's EC2 / S3 / EBS infrastructure.

Objectivity Inc.'s VP, Brian Clark, Named Panelist at Cloud Computing Expo

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Objectivity, Inc. announced today that Brian Clark, vice president of product management, has been named a panelist at SYS-CON's International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, to be held in Santa Clara, California from November 2-4, 2009. The panel, "Where's the Cloud Headed Next?" will take place on November 2 from 5:05-5:40 p.m. at the Santa Clara Convention Center and will be moderated by Conference Chair Jeremy Geelan.

Greg O'Connor to Present AppZero Data Center at Cloud Computing Conference

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EDT

AppZero's CEO Greg O'Connor will be a featured speaker at SYS-CON's 4th annual Cloud Computing Conference, which is co-located at the Santa Clara Convention Center with the 7th International Virtualization Conference & Expo November 2-4. O'Connor's session is entitled, "Case Study: Fortune100 data center provisions to and from * Cloud with Virtual Application Appliances."

Virtual Infrastructure: What Is Required for the Cloud

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Too often organizations have deployed virtual infrastructure tactically to reduce server sprawl or speed application deployments. Without a higher level view of organizational priorities, bad habits persist; unused snapshots and zombie VMs become more the rule than the exception causing budgets to continue their upward spiral.

To Stop the Cloud Storm, You Must See Inside the Running Cloud Application

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EDT

When application performance is not what the cloud customer expected, who’s at fault? The cloud provider’s infrastructure? The application owner’s code? The platform vendor’s deployment tools? The external services the application uses? The database tier? Only by seeing inside the production application as it is running can developers, cloud and platform providers, and IT operations teams find the answers and fix the problems. At the Cloud Computing Conference and Expo, Lewis Cirne will discuss how everyone concerned about application performance will need to monitor, troubleshoot and optimize cloud-based web applications. Visibility into the application layer is critical to successful cloud use.

Introduction to Private Cloud Computing – An Access Story

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EDT

Without application development, organizations can easily plug their web, Windows, and hosted applications into the private cloud. Users connecting to the private cloud will be presented with a virtual web desktop that delivers all of their applications, services, documents, and data from ANYwhere, using ANY device. The session will include a live product demonstration.

Cloud Expo Keynote Speaker Shelton Shugar to Discuss Yahoo! Cloud Services

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:45:00 EDT

Yahoo! is developing and utilizing Internet-scale cloud computing services to improve Yahoo! consumer experience, speed innovation, simplify operating environments, and reduce costs. Yahoo! Cloud Services are in production today supporting web-serving properties and data processing environments. Keynote Speaker Shelton Shugar will also discuss how Yahoo! Cloud Services store and deliver web content, personalize content for consumers, optimize Ad selection and placement, improve search results, provide scalable virtual computing environments, and process and store enormous amounts of data to improve consumer experiences and drive innovation.

Provisions To and From * Cloud with Virtual Application Appliances

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EDT

As hype cools and work gets under way, there is a general hunger for practical, experience-based advice. In his session at the Cloud Computing Conference, Greg O’Connor follows a real world customer’s use of a single gold server-application image for cross-domain provisioning of the data center, to multiple clouds and back. The ability to move server-based applications into a stateless world across VMs – VMware, Xen, and Hyper-V – without any modifications freed this Fortune 100 Company from infrastructure lock-in.

CSC Launches Cloud Assessment Service

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EDT

Expanding on its current Cloud service offerings, CSC today announced it will launch a Cloud Adoption Assessment Service to help companies across the world identify the right business process and IT services when moving to the Cloud. CSC's Cloud Adoption Assessment gives businesses a head start in understanding the complexity of the Cloud Computing ecosystem. The new service performs a process-centric analysis of a company's existing technology set-up using a Suitability Scorecard.

Addressing Data Privacy, Residency, and Security with Cloud Applications

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EDT

This session will be reviewing some of the most pressing public cloud adoption challenges facing organizations today regarding security, regulatory and standards compliance. At the Cloud Computing Conference and Expo, Terry Woloszyn, will then outline the approaches to addressing Data Privacy, Residency, and Security (PRS) when adopting the cloud, focusing on new technologies and techniques that allow sensitive data to appear to be in the cloud, but really remain behind the enterprise firewall.

Building and Managing a Multi-petabyte Storage System

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Storage systems and technologies have come a long way, benefiting from continual advancements. However, these improvements have not kept pace with the rate of storage capacity growth at enterprises. In his session at Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, Jeff Whitehead, CTO of Zetta, will discuss expanding storage footprints stress the limits of today's storage solutions.

My Cloud, Your Cloud, Our Cloud

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EDT

To date, cloud computing has by and large been in the realm of public clouds such as Amazon EC2, but there has been a lot of talk about other kinds of clouds, including "private" and "hybrid" clouds. However, with these new choices comes added complexity. In his session at Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, Thorsten von Eicken, CTO and a founder of RightScale, will help answer any questions you may have about these new choices.

Cloud Computing Drives Real World Enterprise IT Value

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EDT

Cloud computing will no doubt transform the very way traditional infrastructure and application services are being delivered. We hear a lot about the benefits of cloud computing such as improved application development and deployment efficiencies, lower cost of entry, and faster time to provision. But how does cloud computing fit in real world enterprises? In his session at Cloud Computing Conference & Expo, Watson Wat, CTO for Oracle On Demand, will discuss future and current cloud capabilities relative to mainstream IT.

Next-Generation On-Demand

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EDT

The SaaS pioneers have given us a taste of the potential of On-Demand, however, we've only scratched the surface in terms of what's to come and the future model for how the next generation of enterprise software will be delivered. In this session Sal Visca, Chief Technology Officer for SAP's Technology Development business, will walk through his perspective on where the world of Enterprise Software is headed next - putting On-Demand into the context of the enterprise world.

A New Role in the Cloud for a Tried and Tested Schemaless Database

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:15:00 EDT

One of the more interesting aspects of the Cloud Computing revolution has been the emergence of schemaless and hierarchical databases which, it is asserted, are more readily able to meet the demands and requirements of the Cloud than the once dominant relational model. Although many of the new databases have been developed from the ground up, there have, in fact, been a number of existing, tried and tested schemaless database technologies lurking in the marketplace before the advent of Cloud Computing. KS Bhaskar and Rob Tweed believe these are now emerging as important and highly functional engines on which to build Cloud services.

Virtualizing Resources in Production Database Systems

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:15:00 EDT

Many firms have achieved great results implementing traditional server virtualization. However, in larger business-critical production database systems, this is less common. Yet, aren't these exactly the systems from which businesses would benefit most if resources could be virtualized and allocated dynamically. During this session, Peter Thawley will cover technical details behind virtualization techniques utilized in Enterprise database systems which go beyond server virtualization.

Yahoo! Query Language

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EDT

The Yahoo! Query Language is an expressive SQL-like language that lets you query, filter and join data across Web services in real-time. With YQL, applications run faster with fewer lines of code and smaller network footprint. In this session Jonathan Trevor, who works in the Y! Platform group will further discuss how developers can access and shape any data across the Internet through one simple language, no need to learn different APIs.