Cloud computing, SaaS, PaaS are all terms that refer to services that allow businesses to run their compute operations over the Internet using a browser.  As this type of computing becomes more pervasive, data and reliance on hosted services becomes a critical issue.  Gartner, a premier technology research and advisory company recently posted a list of six "Cloud Computing Rights and Responsibilities" to provide guidelines for cloud computing vendors which is well worth the read.

Click here to read the article from Gartner

Recently, Georgetown University professor Mike Nelson said that cloud computing will be pivotal. "The cloud is even more important than the Web."

Click here to read the article.

Ken Nangle Consulting believes that what was once considered fairly radical is now ordinary. Moving from the current desktop/server to a completely browser based business system IS possible and driving the cost to as close to zero is achievable. The costs will not be zero to be sure, but comparatively close considering the current cost model. Operating your business entirely on the Internet securely and reliably is achievable, available and practical to the small and mid-sized company. But why would you consider such a move? First, let me be clear - I am not talking about e-commerce. I'm talking about your back office applications, both off the shelf and custom (accounting, line of business applications, productivity, email, scheduling, etc.) Of course, e-commerce can and perhaps should be done by your company, but it will be covered in a different blog entry. Think about the times your IT consultant has told you "you need to upgrade your server hardware and/or software." Now think about the cost associated and the business interruption of doing a "conversion." It shouldn't be to difficult to think of one or a few disastrous moments. Finally, extend that thought to your phone system. I'm virtually certain that if you've been in business for more than a few years that one or more of these system failures have happened to you. The result is a natural reluctance to go through the experience again, distrust of the basic components (software and hardware) and, after thinking about the consultant fees, a tendency to minimize the chance of it happening again. To me, that sounds restrictive and limiting. How do you grow, add capacity or new functionality when you distrust the entire experience? Nothing will replace good IT management practices. The rest is available to you at reasonable cost on the Internet. For more information on how and why read on by clicking here Ken Nangle

First the basics:

Amazon Web Serivces (AWS) - AWS, simply put, is rented, dedicated on-line servers.  Beginning at ten cents per hour, you can rent one or more dedicated servers to run your business.  (Note: at ten cents per hour the cost per month for a server is $72.00)

Google Apps for your Domain (GAFYD) - GAFYD is Googles paid for service for companies.  For $50.00 per user/per year you have access to email, calendaring, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and more.  I'll discuss security, support, etc. below.

QuickBooks Online (QB Online) - QuickBooks Online is, as it sounds, online accounting.

Software as a Service SaaS Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS)require their own dedicated blog entry. For now, it will be enough to say that you can create almost any line of business application functionality that you currently use, but on the web. Examples include force.com, PerfectForms and Wolf Frameworks (there are many more.)

All of the above are examples of "Cloud Computing." Actually they are components of a cloud computing solution. With the right planning, guidance and implementation using these and other components you can move your business to the web NOW.

Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's Chief Software Architect (the position formerly held by Bill Gates) and designer of the highly successful Lotus Notes, now owned by IBM, has spoken on his views for the future of Cloud Computing.  To learn more about Cloud Computing watch this video by Salesforce.com.

Ozzie asserts that "every company is going to have some blend of software that runs on-premises and on the cloud.  Click here to read the entire interview.