cloud computing

Cloud storage player Nirvanix seeks channel partners

Slowly but surely, pioneers of the cloud infrastructure world are figuring out that a direct sales won’t cover all the basis and they’re adding rather specialized partner programs to start recruiting VARs and IT solution providers who are capable of integrating cloud technology with legacy architectures. Continued »

Cloud Computing 101: New HP offering for schools offers lesson in innovative cloud solutions

Hewlett-Packard had a mega-briefing this week about thin client and client virtualization technology that I will be reporting on in greater depth, but one of the “products” that the company’s partners should consider studying most closely is something called HP SchoolCloud.

As you might gather from the name, this is an offering that ascribes to the cloud philosophy of aggregating applications and IT services in a central server location. In this case, it is a private cloud that a solution provider can assemble for a K-12 school using HP servers, thin client hardware and a service called ClassLink that serves out applications and data to students, administrators and teachers.

The touted benefits include cost savings in terms of management, better visibility into what students are actually doing with their assignments, and the ability to accommodate more individualize learning needs. Remote access support allows the same audience to grab information from their home computer (ANY home computer, even a Macintosh).

The Hudson Falls Central School District, which is one of HP’s poster accounts for this technology, went from managing 1,400 computers to running their applications off 10 servers. Here’s a video with more information about the account.

And here is more information about HP SchoolCloud.

Some of the solution providers that I speak with in the course of my journalist and analyst life question their role in cloud computing, suggesting that they’ll be cut out of the equation. HP SchoolCloud is a great example of why thinking might be short-sighted. The real opportunity isn’t in selling cloud to your existing customers. Yes, you may lose some of them. The magic lies in all the new prospects you’ll be able to reach through innovative applications of the cloud concept.

Microsoft PDC 09: The pressure’s on

In the past, Microsoft has used its Professional Developers Conference to talk pie in the sky. Promises made one year for the next typically dribbled out months, even years late and functionally short. Longhorn anyone?

That can’t happen anymore.  With PDC 2009 kicking off this week, Microsoft  has precious little time to make good on Azure promises. It’s playing catchup with uber-nemesis Google and — perhaps more importantly — to Amazon which has real-world cloud services out and functioning now for real, paying customers. Continued »

Study analyzes TCO metrics for cloud vs. on-premise solutions

I’ve heard anecdotally that the biggest difference between the cloud computing craze and other hype cycles that came before it is that in the case of cloud technologies, real customers are asking real questions. Not so for other emerging technology areas, when solution providers had to foist their ideas upon prospects.

This is not to say that cloud computing will be an easy sell.

For one thing, it probably will be mainly appropriate in cases where an organization doesn’t already have the infrastructure in place for an on-premise alternatives. Which means it is more likely that small and midsize businesses will lead the way with adoption.

Given all this, the folks at NetSuite have been pushing hard to position their suite of cloud-based business application services as a better total cost of ownership proposition than the on-premise alternatives. The latest illustration of this is a research study from analyst firm Hurwitz Associates called “The Compelling TCO Case for Cloud Computing in SMB and Mid-Market Enterprises.”

In the report, Hurwitz outlines the different costs associated with deploying a cloud solution versus an on-premise one. One of the most impressive numbers from this report is that in a 100-user scenario using NetSuite as an example, a cloud solution will cost $730,745 less than the on-premise option, based on infrastructure costs, training, implementation, and support. The report concludes with recommendations on how organizations can do their own cost comparisons.

Which leads me to ask all those IT solution providers out there. Where does this leave you? Actually, in not such a bad position. The Hurwitz data suggests there is still a serious role for VARs or service provider resources that have skills in solution design, implementation and integration. In the Hurwitz cost analysis, the researchers estimate that approximately 30 percent of the costs for a cloud solution will be related to VARs or consultants, compared with 58 percent to 60 percent in an on-premise model.

A much smaller percentage, maybe, but the focus will be on design, process consulting and application integration, which typically lead to higher profit margins than straight infrastructure deployment.

Here’s a link to the complete Cloud Computing study by Hurwitz Associates.

Still waiting for the Microsoft vision

A former colleague, who has worked the tech beat for more than 20 years, had some interesting thoughts the other night on the new-look Microsoft under chief software architect Ray Ozzie.

His rant went something along the lines of: “Geez, [expletive deleted] where’s this vision we hear so much about? What’s the next big thing? All we’ve seen is me-too stuff about the cloud. What’s beyond the cloud? What’s next?”

There was a gut instinct to defend Ozzie, home-town and Lotus Notes hero. After all, it’s hard to blaze a trail into the future while protecting a huge installed base of products, customers and partners. 

But then again, the rant rings true.

In tech everyone gets caught up in the latest thing–to such an extent that they may ignore or miss something truly exciting. Obviously, Microsoft can’t avoid the cloud, but is its Google fixation blinding it to other opportunities?

Microsoft has always played catchup to early innovators–to Apple, to Lotus, to WordPerfect, to NetScape, to Apple again, now to Google. As a current colleague said in Microsoft’s defense: “At least they’re playing catchup now on cool, cloud stuff.”

But when it was chasing NetScape Navigator, that was cool stuff. Ditto the Mac OS. Ditto iPhone.

Is that good enough for this self-proclaimed innovator?

What do you think? Send email to: Barbara Darrow.

Top five channel hot spots

There’s nothing like a channel advisory board call to recharge the batteries.

Here are the top five takeaways from SearchITChannel.com’s quarterly call earlier this week:

First: It’s probably a no-brainer, but solution providers expect a big hardware refresh to accompany the Windows 7 launch this fall and hope to bundle an array of services around that upgrade binge.

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McKinsey report brings cloud concept down to earth

The goodly researchers at McKinsey & Co. have released an analysis of the business benefits of cloud computing and have found the concept wanting for larger companies. Its findings, in a report called “Clearing the Air on Cloud Computing,” were presented at the Uptime Institute’s Lean, Clean & Green IT Symposium held in New York.

McKinsey had several recommendations for CIOs and IT executives who are puzzling about what to do with cloud computing. More than anything else, the report suggests, that instead of being distracted by building out internal clouds, IT leaders should focus on virtualizing server storage, network operations and other components of their existing IT infrastructure.

There are four big hurdles that will make it tough for enterprises to move to cloud computing, according to McKinsey.

1. Cloud computing as currently expressed is not as cost-effective as existing data center strategies.
2. Security and reliability concerns need to be addressed and applications will have to be re-architected to take advantage of the cloud model
3. Quality of service expectations need to be managed.
4. Organizations will need to adapt to a different concept of project priorities.

You can download the presentation about the report at this link and ponder some of the data for yourself, but it will definitely make a great briefing document if you’re trying to figure out how to position cloud services within your business.

Sorting out Microsoft Online Services licensing

Microsoft spent the better part of last year pushing its Microsoft Online Services to partners, who worried about shrinking margins and fewer services opportunities.

Much of that campaign focused on the customer demand for cloud computing, or Software plus Services, as Microsoft calls it. And that was a very valid point. A lot of businesses would rather let someone else deal with management, support and the other back-end hassles associated with Exchange, SharePoint and other software — especially when the economy is going down the toilet.

But Microsoft neglected to mention the flip side of that coin: Software plus Services adds a whole new layer of licensing options, which are already confusing enough for Microsoft partners.

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