Cloud Computing Strategies for the CIO
Email Alerts
-
Everything you need to know about migrating applications to the cloud
Guide
-
Cloud computing gaffes and other letdowns
Stuff happens. Not only do IT admins flub cloud projects but even IT giants like Google slip up. Take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Feature
-
Five Quick Links: Navigating SLAs in the cloud
Evaluating service-level agreements is a critical piece of the cloud computing equation. Does your SLA support your cloud’s performance requirements? Guide
-
Cloud computing in 2011: What's on tap?
Where will the cloud go in 2011? For starters, expect growth in cloud-based media and telecom services. Our expert offers up all his cloud expectations for the new year. Opinion
-
Eli Lilly-Amazon scuffle: Top 10 cloud stories of 2010
The exclusive breaking news that Eli Lilly was ending negotations to expand its Amazon Web Services usage was one of the 10 biggest cloud computing stories of 2010. Slideshow
-
Evaluating cloud computing services: Criteria to consider
Not all clouds are created equal. When considering possible cloud computing providers, be sure to factor in differing criteria like performance levels, cost and reliability. Expert Advice
-
Cloud computing performance FAQ: What makes the cloud go?
Cloud computing offers many benefits, but performance issues can complicate matters. Find out how to combat service-level agreement concerns, deal with varying performance levels and solve other frequently asked cloud performance questions. FAQ
-
Wanted: New skills for cloud computing success
As IT departments adapt to the cloud, managers may need new skill sets to make cloud computing architectures work. Expert Advice
-
Cloud computing licensing: Buyer beware
One of the major issues with moving applications to the cloud is the effect it has on licensing. It's a complex problem that the vendors have not yet answered. This article digs into the details on what IT pros should be aware of when considering clo... Expert Advice
-
Amid criticism, HP pledges to refine SLAs for IaaS
Public cloud SLAs are confusing and incomplete, analysts say; in response, HP reveals plans to update its SLAs for IaaS. News | 23 Jan 2013
-
HP undercuts Rackspace on OpenStack IaaS price
HP made its first public cloud service generally available this week, with prices and an SLA that may intrigue Amazon and Rackspace IaaS users. News | 06 Dec 2012
-
Still single? Blame the recent Amazon EC2 outages
Recent AWS outages didn't just keep folks from streaming Netflix movies or sharing pics -- they may have denied some from their happily ever after. News | 13 Jul 2012
-
Cloud SLAs the next bugbear for enterprise IT
Service-level agreements are a royal pain to most IT pros, but at least they give you a leg to stand on with providers. Not so with cloud computing; sometimes "buyer beware" isn't enough. News | 01 Jun 2011
-
Microsoft formalizes cloud computing enterprise licensing
Microsoft licensing will try and catch up to cloud computing; buy Software Assurance and get "license mobility" for your volume licenses. News | 25 May 2011
-
Meaty new cloud benchmarks tell global story
How are the big boys in cloud computing holding up? New benchmarks from Bitcurrent analyze the global performance of Amazon Web Services, Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure. Column | 01 Apr 2011
-
Microsoft, Google sweeten online service SLAs
As Microsoft readies Office 365, the company tweaked its Online Services lifecycle policy. Google also improved its service-level agreements to cut planned downtime. News | 03 Feb 2011
-
Amazon beefs up customer support services, finally
After years of ho-hum service, Amazon Web Services has finally enhanced its customer support plans. Column | 07 Jan 2011
-
How to spot cloud service provider lock-in and stay nimble
Cloud service providers are making it easier to get data onto the cloud, but moving between environments continues to be gnarly. There are ways, however, to avoid cloud lock-in. Article | 28 Oct 2010
-
Amazon offers new customers free cloud for a year
Amazon Web Services will offer new customers 12 months of a free Micro instance. How low can the cloud computing leader go? Column | 21 Oct 2010
- See more News on Negotiating service-level agreements and billing with cloud providers
-
Limiting the effects of cloud computing outages
After making the case for cloud based on high availability, IT pros are upset by cloud outages. With planning, there are ways to craft a strategy. Tip
-
How do you know your provider is following through on its cloud SLA?
You may be happy with the cloud SLA you've signed, but that's only Step 1. Pick a management system to check up on your cloud provider. Tip
-
A CFO's five-point cloud deployment checklist
While CFOs may respect IT's reasons for cloud, corporate finance execs may not be aware of nontechnical factors that could affect the bottom line. Tip
-
Aligning a cloud computing project with your enterprise mission
A poorly planned cloud project can have disastrous consequences. Don't look for the lowest price tag; align your cloud service with your end goal. Tip
-
Ten key principles of evaluating a cloud SLA
Don't get buried under cloud SLA details. Know how to read the fine print and ensure it jibes with your personal business needs. Tip
-
Defining the right cloud SLA requirements up front
Before signing on the dotted line for cloud services, scrutinize your SLA for unsavory terms. Be wary of these SLA gotchas. Tip
-
Choosing the right Amazon EC2 instance type
Cloud expenses can spiral out of control if you make the wrong move. To get the best deal on your cloud use, choose the right Amazon EC2 instance. Tip
-
Performing due diligence before signing a cloud SLA
Cloud computing isn’t without risks. But companies can cover their assets by performing some due diligence before signing a service-level agreement. Tip
-
Enterprise cloud licensing basics
Managing software licenses is challenging, and cloud only increases that complexity. Start early; keep licensing models in mind when building clouds. Tip
-
Is there any hope for cloud SLAs?
Cloud SLAs are far from perfect and yours may not protect your enterprise from anything. Here's how you can get the best SLA possible. Tip
- See more Tips on Negotiating service-level agreements and billing with cloud providers
-
What questions should I ask cloud storage providers before signing an SLA?
Do you know what to ask your cloud storage provider to ensure your data is accessible and safe? Here's a rundown of what do before settling on a vendor. Answer
-
cloud insurance
Cloud insurance is an approach to risk management in which a promise of financial compensation is made for specific potential failures on the part of a cloud computing service provider. Definition
-
European Cloud Computing Strategy (ECCS)
The European Cloud Computing Strategy (ECCS) is an initiative established by the European Commission to promote the adoption of cloud computing services. Definition
-
cloud storage SLA
A cloud storage SLA is a service-level agreement between a cloud storage service provider and a customer that specifies details of the service, usually in quantifiable terms. Definition
-
cloud computing
A cloud service has three distinct characteristics that differentiate it from traditional hosting. It is sold on demand, typically by the minute or the hour; it is elastic -- a user can have as much or as little of a service as they want at any given... Definition
-
hybrid cloud
A hybrid cloud is a cloud computing environment in which an organization provides and manages some resources in-house and has others provided externally. For example, an organization might use a public cloud service, such as Amazon Simple Storage Ser... Definition
-
public cloud
A public cloud is one based on the standard cloud computing model, in which a service provider makes resources, such as applications and storage, available to the general public over the Internet. Public cloud services may be free or offered on a pay... Definition
-
Top five reasons IT pros should care about cloud computing
Why cloud computing? It's been an oft-asked question, but that's slowly changing. Find out five top reasons to care about the cloud, plus a few more for good measure. Podcasts
-
Cloud computing complicates customer-vendor relationships
Find out how both customers and vendors can adapt to the contractual demands of a cloud computing environment in this podcast with Jeff Kaplan of THINKstrategies. Podcast
-
Cloud licensing explained
Find out the rules and guidelines to follow when considering cloud licensing, including the importance of accurate management tools for your cloud environments. Podcast
-
cloud insurance
Cloud insurance is an approach to risk management in which a promise of financial compensation is made for specific potential failures on the part of a cloud computing service provider. Definition
-
Limiting the effects of cloud computing outages
After making the case for cloud based on high availability, IT pros are upset by cloud outages. With planning, there are ways to craft a strategy. Tip
-
What questions should I ask cloud storage providers before signing an SLA?
Do you know what to ask your cloud storage provider to ensure your data is accessible and safe? Here's a rundown of what do before settling on a vendor. Answer
-
How do you know your provider is following through on its cloud SLA?
You may be happy with the cloud SLA you've signed, but that's only Step 1. Pick a management system to check up on your cloud provider. Tip
-
European Cloud Computing Strategy (ECCS)
The European Cloud Computing Strategy (ECCS) is an initiative established by the European Commission to promote the adoption of cloud computing services. Definition
-
Amid criticism, HP pledges to refine SLAs for IaaS
Public cloud SLAs are confusing and incomplete, analysts say; in response, HP reveals plans to update its SLAs for IaaS. News
-
HP undercuts Rackspace on OpenStack IaaS price
HP made its first public cloud service generally available this week, with prices and an SLA that may intrigue Amazon and Rackspace IaaS users. News
-
A CFO's five-point cloud deployment checklist
While CFOs may respect IT's reasons for cloud, corporate finance execs may not be aware of nontechnical factors that could affect the bottom line. Tip
-
Aligning a cloud computing project with your enterprise mission
A poorly planned cloud project can have disastrous consequences. Don't look for the lowest price tag; align your cloud service with your end goal. Tip
-
Ten key principles of evaluating a cloud SLA
Don't get buried under cloud SLA details. Know how to read the fine print and ensure it jibes with your personal business needs. Tip
- See more All on Negotiating service-level agreements and billing with cloud providers
About Negotiating service-level agreements and billing with cloud providers
Negotiating a good service-level agreement is central to managing cloud-based service costs and ensuring service availability. Learn how to negotiate service-level agreements and billing with cloud providers and receive the benefits of an on-demand, pay-as-you go cloud-based model without falling prey to overcharging and poor performance and service levels. This topic covers cloud computing billing and pay-as-you-go services, writing service-level agreements for the cloud, Force.com, Salesforce.com, multi-tenant infrastructure, ensuring performance and availability in the cloud, Google Apps, SLA management, managed hosting providers and Hyperic.