Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Is single-tenant SaaS still viable?

  Is single-tenant SaaS still viable? Do cloud providers even offer true single tenancy? What are some examples of SaaS single-tenant apps?  Continue Reading

• PaaS and SaaS focus on different aspects of development

  With so many "as a service" cloud products, it can be difficult to understand what they do. Chris Moyer breaks down the difference between PaaS and SaaS in this Ask the Expert answer.  Continue Reading

• Sidestep problems, be your own cloud SLA watchdog

  A service-level agreement is a vital piece to your cloud puzzle, so understanding what to expect is paramount. What goes into a typical cloud SLA?  Continue Reading

• Protecting cloud networks against DDoS and DoS attacks

  DDoS and DoS attacks are simple to implement but more difficult to prevent. How can these attacks on cloud services be avoided?  Continue Reading

• How Java developers can find cloud computing careers

  In a new IT landscape, IT pros are worried their jobs are on the chopping block -- but Java developers in particular can position themselves in the cloud world.  Continue Reading

• How does Amazon S3 stand out from other cloud storage services?

  Amazon S3 gets a lot of hype as a cloud storage system, but sometimes it could be overkill. Simpler cloud storage products could get the job done.  Continue Reading

• What should I consider when selecting a cloud storage system?

  Cost, manageability and risk assessment all must be analyzed carefully when selecting a cloud storage system.  Continue Reading

• Manage change upfront to overcome user resistance to IT initiatives

  Consultant Steve Weissman offers expert advice on how to manage change and win user support for critical technology projects.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-burst model helps companies boost computing capacity as needed

  In this answer, expert Chris Moyer discusses when and how organizations can use the cloud-burst model to automatically scale capacity as needed.  Continue Reading

• Emphasize ease of use to win buy-in for Microsoft Office 365 suite

  In this answer, expert Chris Moyer discusses ways to earn management and user buy-in to ensure a smooth transition to the Microsoft Office 365 suite.  Continue Reading

• Users order up their own IT resources via self-service cloud portals

  In this answer, expert Chris Moyer offers tips for building a self-service cloud portal that lets employees obtain their own IT services.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing trend alert: Expect growing focus on enterprises

  In this expert answer, contributor Chris Moyer looks at a key cloud computing trend -- enterprise migration -- and touches on other cloud trends as well.  Continue Reading

• On the horizon for cloud computing platforms: Ever more virtualization

  In this expert answer, contributor Chris Moyer predicts that future cloud computing platforms will move away from the traditional server model.  Continue Reading

• What is object storage and why do cloud providers rely heavily on it?

  Object storage may not look like block and file storage devices often used in enterprises, but one key feature has cloud providers in love.  Continue Reading

• Pick the right DRaaS provider to help protect your data from disaster

  Considering investing in Disaster Recovery as a Service? Chris Moyer offers expert advice on choosing the right DRaaS provider.  Continue Reading

• When cloud providers fail: Recovering from an SLA violation

  Chris Moyer offers insights into cloud provider service-level agreements and what to do in the case of an SLA violation.  Continue Reading

• Expert advice: How to decide whether to use Testing as a Service

  Contributor Chris Moyer offers expert advice on who's most likely to benefit from investing in Testing as a Service.  Continue Reading

• 'Failure by design': Advice for surviving disaster in the public cloud

  In this expert answer, contributor Chris Moyer offers advice on taking a 'failure by design' approach to prevent public-cloud catastrophe.  Continue Reading

• BYOD rules should address data security on ex-employees' devices

  Contributor Chris Moyer describes how to modify BYOD rules and policies to protect data from leaving the company on ex-employees' devices.  Continue Reading

• These collaboration apps dramatically enhance development teamwork

  In this expert answer, contributor Chris Moyer discusses what he calls essential collaboration tools for development teams.  Continue Reading

• What are some options for Web application monitoring in the cloud?

  An enterprise must understand what types of info it wants to collect in order to select a proper Web application monitoring tool.  Continue Reading

• Build an in-house enterprise app store without breaking the budget

  Contributor Chris Moyer discusses ways to launch an online enterprise app store to help meet mobile employees' needs.  Continue Reading

• To choose the right multi-tenant cloud vendor, ask the right questions

  Contributor Chris Moyer discusses issues to consider before joining a multi-tenant cloud -- including what to ask the vendors.  Continue Reading

• Forecast: Additional cloud standards are on the horizon

  In this expert answer, 'Cloud Computing' author and consultant Thomas Erl discusses current and emerging cloud standards.  Continue Reading

• Community cloud offers members a shared yet controlled environment

  Cloud expert Thomas Erl discusses how community clouds work and which types of organizations might most benefit from using them.  Continue Reading

• How is Power BI in Office 365 more than just Excel in the cloud?

  Power BI for Office 365 allows users to sort through large amounts of data and perform TL operations.  Continue Reading

• What are useful resources for a newcomer to data analysis techniques?

  So you've collected data -- now what? With the help of these resources, data analysis techniques can bring business intelligence to an enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Validating applications as cloud compatible with security, testing

  An app may run smoothly on-premises, but that doesn't guarantee cloud success. With security measures and testing, companies can validate cloud apps.  Continue Reading

• Google Compute Engine and Google App Engine: What is the difference?

  Many IT pros cannot distinguish Google Compute Engine from Google App Engine. Here are the most important details you need to know.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of Analytics as a Service

  Analytics as a Service can reduce time and cost of data analysis for enterprises. However, relying on black-box analysis can be a risky proposition.  Continue Reading

• What are some best practices for cloud configuration?

  Traditional configuration practices fall short in the cloud. Here, Chris Moyer shares some best practices for cloud configuration.  Continue Reading

• Why and how to use iPaaS to integrate cloud services, enterprise apps

  IPaaS is gaining traction with cloud services and enterprise app integration. Ovum IT's Saurabh Sharma shares iPaaS best practices.  Continue Reading

• Reminder: To avoid extra cloud computing fees, turn off the PaaS VM

  When developers forget to switch off the PaaS virtual machine, they can run up extra cloud fees. Here, Chris Moyer explains how to avoid that.  Continue Reading

• Why is app integration such a problem in cloud computing?

  Chris Moyer explains why application integration is a chronic problem that seems to get more complex in cloud environments.  Continue Reading

• How will the use of InfiniBand affect the cloud computing market?

  Enterprises are turning to InfiniBand for a high-speed, high-density networking option in the cloud. How will that affect the cloud market?  Continue Reading

• Cloud and the IT department: Five years down the road

  Cloud computing will forever alter the IT department, changing IT pros' jobs from writing code to becoming involved in business processes.  Continue Reading

• What are the limits of cloud cost analysis tools?

  Cloud cost analysis tools help to cut costs for cloud services, but they don't exist in a vacuum. IT pros must follow through on recommendations.  Continue Reading

• Would third-party cloud cost analysis tools benefit my company?

  Proprietary cloud cost analysis tools, such as Amazon CloudWatch, can help some companies, but sometimes a third party is needed.  Continue Reading

• A private cloud vs. the standard data center: What's the difference?

  Cloud computing expert Chris Moyer explains the difference between a private cloud and the standard data center.  Continue Reading

• What do the PCI DSS guideline updates mean to my enterprise?

  While cloud-based transactions are certainly nothing new, updates to PCI DSS guidelines reflect growth in this market and address innate security concerns.  Continue Reading

• What cloud certifications can help me with my job security?

  There's no denying cloud computing has changed the face of IT. Do you have the right certifications to evolve with your data center?  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between a private cloud and a virtual data center?

  While virtualization is key to private cloud, the two are not synonymous. Features such as self-service provisioning will take your virtual data center to cloud.  Continue Reading

• Ask the Expert: Is PaaS vendor lock-in unavoidable?

  Will your PaaS of choice interoperate with future SaaS and IaaS installments? Here's how to find out, before it's too late to turn back.  Continue Reading

• How to optimize network bandwidth for the cloud

  Cloud elasticity means little if your network can't handle the workload. Enterprise IT must understand users and traffic to ensure cloud apps deliver.  Continue Reading

• With server end of life near, is cloud computing the answer?

  As server end of life nears, public cloud entices SMBs that don't want to invest more capital expenses. But will cloud security be strong enough?  Continue Reading

• Long tail: Where has it gone?

  A popular topic not too long ago, find out how long tail is frequently used today by companies selling niche apps.  Continue Reading

• Is there an easy way to do SaaS CRM integration?

  SaaS CRM integration is challenging, but can yield enormous benefits to enterprises and customers.  Continue Reading

• How do I build a knowledge management system?

  Buying software is easy, but building a knowledge management system and getting employees on board is a more complicated problem.  Continue Reading

• How can enterprise gamification boost productivity?

  Enterprise gamification is more than a tool to incentivize customers. It works for employees too.  Continue Reading

• What are the advantages of native mobile development?

  Native mobile development offers unique advantages over other kinds of mobile app development.  Continue Reading

• How do we choose a mobile development platform?

  The pressure to build mobile applications is high. Choosing the right mobile development platform is the first step.  Continue Reading

• What are the real benefits of cloud computing?

  Vendor marketing aside, are there any bona fide benefits of cloud computing?  Continue Reading

• How do I keep up with cloud vendors?

  The rapid pace of technological change, especially amongst cloud vendors, is leaving enterprises with a lot of studying to do.  Continue Reading

• How do I keep costs down when testing in the cloud?

  Expert Chris Moyer explains how to keep costs down when testing in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• How do I stretch thin cloud IT budgets?

  Cloud applications are in vogue, but not everyone has large IT budgets to spend on them.  Continue Reading

• How do I compare cloud CRM vendors?

  Expert Denis Pombriant explains what companies need to consider to ensure they select the best cloud CRM software for their needs.  Continue Reading

• Is there an easy way to do cloud application integration?

  Cloud application integration is a big challenge, one that's too big for some IT departments.  Continue Reading

• How do you customize SaaS applications?

  Customizing SaaS applications is a major concern for companies with specific needs.  Continue Reading

• How do you achieve cloud interoperability?

  One of the biggest problems facing cloud adoption is cloud interoperability, but that doesn't have to stay a problem.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for private and SaaS app integration

  Learn some best practices for private and SaaS application integration  Continue Reading

• How to avoid cloud lock-ins

  Avoiding cloud lock-ins with both the technology and provider is a concern for businesses interested in cloud computing.  Continue Reading

• Cloud security testing strategies

  Learn strategies for best security test strategies for SaaS cloud.  Continue Reading

• Moving to the cloud: Evaluating cloud integration platform features

  Learn and understand key factors to consider when making this decision, including platform elasticity, global presence and ability to integrate with other services.  Continue Reading

• Migrating to cloud computing environments: What to know about HaaS, PaaS and SaaS

  Migrating to a cloud computing environment can be challenging. Learn the obstacles to each type of cloud computing environment: HaaS, PaaS and SaaS.  Continue Reading

• How to approach data integration in SaaS cloud

  Data integration is challenging no matter who does it, says SaaS Strategies Expert Denis Pombriant. He offers advice for approaching data integration in SaaS cloud, including talking to the right people and acquiring the most helpful tools.  Continue Reading

• What really matters when switching SaaS vendors

  Words like “freedom” and “interoperability” are open to interpretation when it comes to SaaS vendors.. He discusses realistic expectations and what factors are important when choosing or switching SaaS vendors.  Continue Reading

• SaaS cloud computing: Questions to ask when moving data to the cloud

  Moving data to the SaaS cloud suggests that our data will have greater availability, but does that mean we will have less control? SaaS Strategies Expert Denis Pombriant offers tips on the right questions to ask of cloud computing service vendors.  Continue Reading

• Cloud security concerns persist over multi-tenancy environments

  Since Oracle announced its cloud plans, multi-tenancy has again become a concern. Should users be worried? Cloud expert Jeff Kaplan pulls the truth about cloud security out of the fog.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of the Force.com platform for a small business?

  Learn about two important features the Force.com platform offers for small businesses in this expert tip. Find out about the Salesforce.com API.  Continue Reading

• Implementation cost for a rollout of SaaS at 20 locations

  One reader asks how to calculate projected costs for a rollout of Software as a Service (SaaS) CRM at more than twenty locations. Read Denis Pombriant's advice here.  Continue Reading