Platform as a Service

When enterprises talk about using cloud platform as a service, they are referring to hosting infrastructure and programming software to create and establish web-based applications.  Many companies now have apps that can be accessed on mobile devices, tablets and Ipads.  Wal-Mart and target both have apps to tell you what types of products they sell, what stores near you carry these products, and the prices of them.  Takeout services like Pizza Hut and Dominoes also have apps to make ordering more efficient and timely.  Even big television networks like ABC Family and Disney Channel have apps to watch episodes of your favorite show right off of your device.  But these apps are created on a cloud platform.

 Not all companies have the money or resources to create these types of apps on their own.  Companies like Google are taking advantage of new opportunities by creating a platform service for such businesses.  Google created the Google App Engine, a platform to build and produce your own applications using Google technology and infrastructure. This engine makes websites and business/game applications.

Microsoft also has a cloud computing platform called Windows Azure.  Windows Azure brings your public and private clouds together and provides many “tools, languages, and frameworks” to build your applications.  It has unlimited servers and storage.

 Citrix cloud platform powered by Apache Cloudstack lets you “build, manage, and deliver highly scalable and efficient private, public and hybrid Infrastructures as a service clouds."  This engine lets big enterprises advance their own infrastructures and provides all the tools a smaller business would need to develop one.  Citrix builds a bridge with Amazon to access many of their tools.

The cool thing about cloud platform as a service is it takes away the hard part of building apps.  Infrastructure is already provided so companies only have to pay for needed space.  Platform makes modern day business more efficient for themselves as well as the consumer by granting easier access to important sales functions. 

Google App Engine

Citrix

Microsoft Azure

Privacy and Compliance

The loss of control by cloud-service consumers represents a serious threat to data integrity, confidentiality and privacy principles.  A reference for defining principles for protection of privacy and personal data is the Madrid Resolution which was approved by data protection authorities from fifty countries.  “It states the urgent need to protect privacy in a world without borders and attain a joint proposal for the establishment of international standards on privacy and data protection. Its purpose is to define a set of principles and rights guaranteeing the effective and internationally uniform protection of privacy with regard to processing of personal data, and to facilitate the international flows of personal data inherent in a globalized world.” 

The expanding quantity of personal data will drive the demand for cloud services.  Some of the main privacy challenges for cloud computing are:

·    

•  Complexity of risk assessment
• With service providers promoting a simple way to flow personal data irrespective of national boundaries, a challenge arise in terms of checking the date processing life cycle and its compliance with legal frameworks.
• Emergence of new business models and their implications for consumer privacy
• The expand of technology, data demand, and collection means that new business models will be implemented to manage this data. “The fact that the applications may not all be operated by the same SaaS provider could result in differences in terms of reliability and security. Such models could become more widespread in the future, and their legal and security/privacy implications need to be clearly understood.”
• Regulatory compliance

 Definitions:

Privacy- The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people

Compliance- The action or fact of complying with a wish or command.

 Sources: 

 http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-t/oth/23/01/T23010000160001PDFE.pdf

Software On-Demand

One of the biggest developments in the area of cloud computing is “SaaS”, which stands for Software as a Service.  This service is allows businesses or any other cloud users to use software that the cloud provider has made available on the cloud without downloading it or installing it on their own system.  This software “on-demand” model is very appealing to some companies because they don’t have to purchase they hardware necessary to run the software or hire employees to maintain the system.

Some examples of this include Google Apps and Microsoft Office 365, in both of these the end user is able to access several different programs without actually installing anything on their own computer and they both allow users to store information remotely.  Because it is not necessary to install the software, the end user never has to worry about installing updates or newer versions.

Most SaaS models use a membership style structure with a contract and monthly or annual fees, instead of a one time purchase like traditional software.  And because the software is constantly updated, the end user never finds themselves with obsolete software or the need to buy the revised version.  This could eventually spell the end of purchasing software altogether.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/office-frequently-asked-questions-FX102926087.aspx

http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/Software-as-a-Service

KiteDesk

Do you feel overwhelmed sometimes with all of your social media, email, and other accounts?  Do you get annoyed by logging in and checking each one trying to maintain multiple passwords, keeping personal and professional accounts seperate?

 

KiteDesk is a solution for you...maybe. KiteDesk pulls all the data and information from the cloud and your social media.  It also can collect all of your contacts and keeps them up to date.  Multiple email accounts is a cake walk for KiteDesk.  It organizes all of your files into a stream for a common view.  Basically KiteDesk is a personal cloud management application that doesn't store your information and data on its servers.  And best of all, it is free.  KiteDesk also allows you to filter different parts of your life into specific streams, for example if you wanted to have a business stream you can connect your business email, calendar or any other business events.  The same goes for your personal stream.  One other unique feature that KiteDesk offers is that you can move different file types between services and KiteDesk converts the file to the supporting file type for the specific service if needed.  

 

Now to hear the downside, KiteDesk is easy to set up but can be difficult to use in the sense of trying to find the information you're looking for. The front end display is kind of lame, and incongruent. Also with KiteDesk you are depending upon a cloud for your data aggregation which some people might not be ready to put that much faith into a cloud.  

 

KiteDesk can be very helpful in combining and simplifying your digital life.  Could you find this application useful?

 

 

www.kitedesk.com

 http://www.pcworld.com/article/2031996/app-spotlight-kitedesk-aggregates-your-cloud-accounts-and-social-media.html

Public Cloud

What is a public cloud? A virtual public cloud  lets all businesses access their data through the Internet without taking up space. Companies don't have to waste office space or money finding places to store their information. Public clouds give enterprises places for information without having to invest in their own private clouds. Companies are able to pay for only the needed space and can rent more if needed.  Public clouds have firewalls to protect company information from hackers and other outside sources. Here is a video on public clouds

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SlJp6UX7WBw

Cloud Infrastructure as a service

Cloud computing consists of three different types of services:

·        ·         Cloud infrastructure as a service

• ·         Cloud platform as a service
• ·         Cloud software as a service 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Customers use processing, storage, networking, and other computing resources from cloud service providers to run their information systems.  The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications.

For businesses the greatest value of IaaS is through a concept known as cloud bursting.  Cloud bursting is the process of off-loading task to the cloud during the times when the most compute resources are needed.  In order for businesses to take advantage of the IaaS they must build and implement software that has the ability to re-allocate processes to the infrastructure cloud.  There are four important considerations to building and implementing software that can manage such re-allocation processes:

• Developing for a specific vendor's proprietary IaaS could prove to be a costly mistake if the vendor were to go out of business.
• The complexity of well-written resource allocation software is significant and generally requires top-notch developer resources that do not come cheap. You will save money by budgeting and researching first.
• What will you be sending off to be processed in the cloud? Sending data such as personal identities, financial information, and health care data put an organization's compliance at risk with U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act, Payment Card Industry (PCI), or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
• Understand the dangers of shipping off processes that are critical to the day-to-day operation of the business. 

List of some Cloud Computing IaaS providers:

• ·         Amazon Web Services: Offers a complete set of infrastructure and application services that enable you to run virtually everything in the cloud. 
• ·         IBM:  Enables speed and dexterity for the faster delivery of new offerings and services. 
• ·         Openstack: Openstack is a cloud operating system that controls large pools of compute, storage and networking resources throughout a datacenter.  
• ·         Bluelook:  Infrastructure as a service company that specializes in Cloud Computing and disaster recovery. 
• ·         GoGrid: Provides automated provisioning of infrastructure over the Internet. 

Sources: 

http://cloudcomputingwire.com/cloud-iaas/

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/cloud/library/cl-cloudservices1iaas/

Advantages of Private clouds

A private cloud utilizes and distributes data through a company's own computer software.  These systems run off one main hard drive and virtually channel information between computers.  Clouds link important business processes in multiple departments and keep everyone's files up to date.  Companies can access their information and data with more control over the use and where it may end up.  

 An advantage of using private clouds is the secure network.  The enterprise's files are more private because their data is kept within business administrators.  With no third party sources, the threat of valuable information getting leaked is lessened and dictated by the company.  These clouds usually do not have internet access and are protected by strong firewalls.  Using a private cloud, enterprises can create unique software to fit the needs of the company. They won't waste money changing files to fit "standardized programming."  As businesses grow and develop flexible, private systems can grow with them.

Think of a time you needed to get valuable information to other family members.  Speaking to everyone in person or on the phone is more controlled and private than making a Facebook announcement (which is public) or sending an email (using a third party source).  You know who was told what directly and by who.  You and other members share information amongst each other rooting from one main person.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/yungchou/archive/2011/03/21/what-is-private-cloud.aspx
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/private_cloud.html

So how does Cloud Computing help?

Cloud computing benefits businesses and individuals in many different ways and every year more applications are being developed.  The use of clouds allows companies flexibility, there is a nearly unlimited amount of storage space available so they can use as much as they want and they don’t have to upgrade or purchase new servers.  If they decided to use less, they aren’t stuck with unused servers and because the client or user doesn’t own the servers they aren’t responsible for upgrading and adding addition space.  This also means that cloud computing is usually very cost efficient

There is also a nearly endless list of applications for cloud computing that can save most medium and large business time and money.  One of the most common uses for the cloud is to backup data.  Duplicate data is stored at several locals in the cloud and because the cloud uses servers in many different geographical locations, it is very unlikely that a single event or catastrophe could disable or destroy the servers causing data loss. Because the cloud can be integrated with most devices, if a loss does occur, it can usually be recovered quickly and made available anywhere in the world on a compatible device. 

Source: dvicenews.com

 An example of this would be a lost or damaged phone that was integrated into a cloud. A new phone could quickly replace the old phone, because the data is stored outside of the phone on a remote server in the cloud.  So you have all the same contacts, pictures, apps, music, and everything back, as soon as you get a new phone.  

Source:  Schouten, Edwin. "5 Cloud Business Benefits." Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, 14 Oct. 0012. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. http://www.wired.com/insights/2012/10/5-cloud-business-benefits/

Cloud Security

What does security mean to you?   Is it knowing that you are safe were you are? Well there are many threats and issues that concern the cloud.  Is it really better to have your data stored with a cloud computing provider than with your company?  Is it better to trust other IT people rather than your own?  There is no arguing that having data in the cloud frees up space and reduces cost. 

Issues with the cloud

Ø  Data could be compromised by the Cloud Computing Provider

Ø  The connection between the Cloud Computing Provider and the customer is not always sufficiently protected.  

Ø Security risks that threaten the transfer line include eavesdropping, DNS spoofing, and Denial-of-Service attacks.  

Trend Micro is a leading innovator of cloud security.  It has been protecting businesses and consumers for over 20 years.   

Click on the video to learn more about Trend Micro and issues that come with cloud computing.

                    

“Cloud Security.” TrendMirco.com.  n.p. n.d. Web. 14 March 2013.

http://cloudsecurity.trendmicro.com/us/technology-innovation/cloud/index.html

Holbl, Marko.  “Cloud Computing Security and Privacy Issues.” CEPIS.org. Web. 14 March 2013.

http://www.cepis.org/media/CEPIS_Cloud_Computing_Security_v17.11.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI9-d-N5nA0

The forecast for cloud computing

What will the weather be like tomorrow?  Everyday meteorologists around the world try to answer that very same question, they use the tools and information available to try to predict where the clouds will end up.  The same is true for cloud computing, many businesses and investors around the world are trying to predict what the future holds for this technology that is still in it's infancy. 

The Gartner estimates for 2013 show a growth of 19.6% from 2012, continuing the rapid growth that has followed cloud computing since 2006.  These same estimates predict the by the year 2020, the cloud computing market could surpass $240 billion dollars annually!

What is bringing on all of this growth?  Well, the real answer is complex but the simple answer is everything, smart phones, cars, but the largest immediate growth is coming from healthcare.  As more medical records and other information are being collected and made available to doctors, clouds will be used to integrate this information into many aspects of your care, diagnosis and treatments. Soon you might see a tablet just as at home in a doctor's office as a stethoscope.

It's too early to tell exactly where the future will take cloud computing but if the "forecast" is right, the only direction is up, way up.





http://www.idgconnect.com/blog-abstract/720/paul-moxon-global-the-future-cloud-computing-how-do-you-prepare-2013

Computing is for the birds or at least the clouds....

Have you ever used facebook?  What about iTunes?  These are just a couple of things you deal with on a daily basis that utilize a form of cloud computing.  Facebook uses servers in data centers to process and store all of our data that we can access at anytime. iTunes uses another form of cloud computing in which you might be familiar with, or at least the name of its cloud network the iCloud.  The iCloud helps save storage on your personal devices by being able to access but not have to store all of the information on your devices. You can pull from iCloud to multiple devices. Cloud computing allows the user to not have to be concerned with having crazy amounts of storage space on their phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.  So what is Cloud Computing?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's definition of cloud computing is:
"Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources"

What does this mean you ask?
In the simplest form, cloud computing is a way to access, store, and process data and applications on a non local server over the internet.  Really we have the ability to access to all that you could ever want or need, and all you have to have is an internet connection.   

Why is cloud computing important?
For me it saves alot of  memory space on my personal devices and I dont have to worry about connecting each of them one at a time.  Moreover I am very busy so having access to music, email or facebook on the go is nice because I can access all of these from just my phone. 

Do you think its important in your daily life?
http://www.nist.gov/itl/cloud/index.cfm"

Cloud Computing? Who uses that?

Many of us use it.  We utilize it in most of our day to day activities.  Do you ever use web based email?  Do you check or update statuses on Facebook?  What about using iCloud for your music?  These are just a few examples but all of these use cloud computing.     

Not to long ago data for companies and businesses had to be stored in house on servers.  If the servers were acting up or went down then the business wouldn't have access or be able to retrieve the data.  Cloud computing changed and revolutionized that process.  Some companies are using private clouds and some are trusting in public clouds.  Cloud computing allows for companies to retrieve and process data at a much faster speed.  Moreover cloud computing is much more reliable.  If someone tries to access the information from a cloud network, they will have access to multiple servers because the companies data is duplicated across a group of servers.  This creates a more dependable process so business doesn't have to slow down. 

Cloud computing is changing technology and allowing our personal or business data storage systems to become smaller and smaller.  With the growing need for access to data and applications in business many companies are investing a third of their IT budget into cloud computing.  Many companies believe that everything will move to cloud computing over the next few years, because it can be utilized for conferencing, web based email, and data storage.

In essence our world will soon use cloud computing for everything.  What could be next?  Will we eventually not ever have to have a CPU at all?  Will we not have to come in contact with anyone?  Will we never have to have books again? 
 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2012/04/11/more-than-one-third-of-it-budgets-now-spent-on-cloud-survey/