Features

Features

• Why MBaaS helps GSN Games speed development

  Bret Siarkowski, VP of GSN Games, shares his experience with MBaaS and offers advice to mobile development teams considering the service.  Continue Reading

• Small businesses drop data centers for advantages of cloud computing

  Small businesses might have the most to gain from a cloud-first approach, expanding their reach and increasing agility with minimal overhead.  Continue Reading

• Scripted automation saves the day in cloud-first IT approach

  By forgoing traditional hardware and using a cloud-first approach, one company was able to take advantage of scripted automation -- and save money.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-first initiatives alleviate standards and compliance pain points

  Don't just stick to test and dev. There are plenty of good reasons to put production workloads in the public cloud.  Continue Reading

• New cloud service uses big data sources to improve emergency response

  A new cloud service from Swan Island Networks allows cities to tie information together from multiple big data sources to improve emergency response.  Continue Reading

• Bring your own cloud: The movement companies can't and shouldn't stop

  'Bring your own cloud' practices are on the climb. Tom Nolle explains how companies can apply governance practices to protect themselves.  Continue Reading

• Startups find the public cloud value sweet spot

  Public cloud may seem like a great way to get your startup off the ground for minimal upfront IT costs, but don't jump in blindly.  Continue Reading

• To avoid cloud risk concerns, seek specific answers from providers

  In this Q&A, Adam Simpson, CEO of Easy Office Phone, discusses current cloud risk concerns and security concerns.  Continue Reading

• Open source options in cloud grow -- will customer confusion follow?

  With OpenStack, Cloud Foundry and CloudStack each making open source market moves, the waters muddy when it comes to differentiating.  Continue Reading

• IaaS cloud computing exchange could clear the path to true multi-cloud

  Imagine a world where you trade IaaS resources in a stock-market setting, full of options to suit your enterprise. It's closer than you'd imagine.  Continue Reading

• IBM's Watson supercomputer gives developers access to cognitive cloud

  IBM makes the Watson supercomputer available to developers and brings the cognitive cloud to Internet applications.  Continue Reading

• DRaaS means disaster recovery doesn't have to break the bank

  For many enterprises, disaster recovery proved too costly. Cloud-based DR could give smaller companies the assurance they need at the price they want.  Continue Reading

• In the cloud DR market, all eyes are on the enterprise

  SMBs are already seeing the advantages of cloud DR, but now all eyes are turned to enterprises to see if they'll follow suit.  Continue Reading

• RTO, RPO metrics find the true value of a cloud DR strategy

  IT pros are intrigued by cloud DR’s shortened recovery, but companies should really be looking at RTO and RPO metrics for cloud DR’s true value.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing advantages bring disaster recovery to the masses

  Cloud computing capacity and scalability mean that disaster recovery, once reserved for the rich and famous, is now accessible to everyone.  Continue Reading

• Climbing out of an AWS EC2 cost sinkhole

  Building a cloud without considering the future can be costly. Hybrid clouds or moving off a provider are ways to stem financial bleeding.  Continue Reading

• Stampede to cloud presents data integration problems

  Alan Earls explains why the rapid adoption of the cloud is creating data integration problems, and what to do about it.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Use smart process apps to boost process-management benefits

  Associate site editor Caroline de Lacvivier answers frequently asked questions about using smart process apps for business process management.  Continue Reading

• Networking costs swell pay-per-use public cloud bills

  Pay-per-use cloud billing means enterprises need to monitor usage to stay in budget, but unpredictable networking costs can complicate this task.  Continue Reading

• Reducing network latency means focusing on location, location, location

  As the real estate motto goes, what matters is 'location, location, location.' The same goes for your data when it comes to network latency.  Continue Reading

• Is networking infrastructure the Achilles' heel of cloud computing?

  The network is a complicated piece of the data center puzzle and can often be a stumbling block for IT pros, although crucial for cloud success.  Continue Reading

• VMware vCHS, vCAC show cloud commitment, but raise questions

  With recent moves, VMware is staking its claim on the cloud market. But with new directions and services, enterprise IT has some lingering questions.  Continue Reading

• Application designers report higher pay, smaller bonuses than IT peers

  In TechTarget's 2013 IT Salary & Careers Survey, application designers/developers reported above-average pay but smaller bonuses than IT pros overall.  Continue Reading

• Building a mobile polling app, developer faces need for scale, speed

  In this feature, Executive Editor Jan Stafford describes a software developer's quest to create a new mobile polling application, Mobile Reactor.  Continue Reading

• They said what?! This year's most notable cloud computing quotes

  Pricing isn't the primary reason to move to the cloud? It's a hybrid world? This year brought many memorable cloud computing quotes.  Continue Reading

• This year's best advice on building, managing the hybrid cloud model

  There was no shortage of talk in 2013 about getting to a hybrid cloud model. And we have the best advice to help you reach that goal in the next year.  Continue Reading

• Cloud insurance to file sharing: The year in cloud security

  Cloud security -- or lack thereof, for some -- continues to shape enterprise cloud adoption decisions. How can you best secure your company's cloud?  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing timeline illustrates cloud's past, predicts its future

  To know where cloud is going, you have to know where it's from. This timeline illustrates cloud's bumpy history and what that means for its future.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing experts forecast the market climate in 2014

  This year was busy for the cloud market, with acquisitions and new products. Our experts weigh in on what all this means for 2014.  Continue Reading

• Considering migration to the cloud? Answer five key questions first

  In this Q&A, Todd DeCapua of Shunra Software Ltd. discusses considerations for minimizing risk and maximizing benefits in a migration to cloud.  Continue Reading

• Winner: Best cloud computing service provider

  Discover the winner of the Best Cloud Computing Provider category for the Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards. It likely won’t be a surprise if you’re familiar with the market.  Continue Reading

• Winner: Best cloud management software product

  The winner of the best cloud management software product category in the Impact Awards is the third-party provider deemed to have the best overall offering.  Continue Reading

• Winner: Best enterprise cloud app

  The winner of the best enterprise cloud app category in the Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards promises endpoint security for enterprise data.  Continue Reading

• Vendors offer variety of options for building corporate app stores

  This feature, part of a series on how to create, govern and maintain an in-house corporate app store, offers a broad overview of vendors in the space.  Continue Reading

• A corporate app store can boost reuse of enterprise data and processes

  In this report from the WSO2Con 2013 conference, contributor George Lawton describes how corporate app stores promote data and process reuse.  Continue Reading

• How to get everyone on-board with a cloud migration project

  Cloud naysayers reject the idea that benefits of a migration outweigh the trouble, but AWS customers list five benefits that could prove them wrong.  Continue Reading

• Appcelerator's corporate app store lets developers share knowledge

  Appcelerator's Open Mobile Marketplace lets developers buy and share software components in a corporate app-store environment.  Continue Reading

• Analytics as a Service aims to solve big data's big problems

  While many businesses see the benefit of running big data in public clouds, others look to nix infrastructure altogether for their analytics projects.  Continue Reading

• MIT researchers look beyond encryption for tighter cloud data security

  In the wake of the PRISM scandal, enterprise IT is looking for tighter cloud data security, and researchers at MIT are looking to Oblivious RAM.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises turn to private storage clouds in light of Amazon EBS weaknesses

  Amazon Elastic Block Storage has shortcomings when it comes to demanding workloads, so IT pros are looking back in-house at private storage clouds.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise cloud storage finds success, but cost concerns still live

  C&S Companies cut costs and increased scalability by migrating storage to Amazon S3, but some cloud storage options could add to IT cost concerns.  Continue Reading

• Cloud integration platforms help users build an integration process

  Learn how running a cloud integration platform can add value to your integration process.  Continue Reading

• Vote for the best enterprise cloud app

  Vote for the best enterprise cloud app as part of the Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards.  Continue Reading

• Private Cloud as a Service delivers OpenStack, ensures governance

  SaaS-based private clouds give enterprises benefits of cloud -- faster development times and self-service portals -- without the management angst.  Continue Reading

• Will bare-metal cloud, IBM backing push SoftLayer to next level?

  Bare-metal cloud may be better than VM-based options for some workloads. SoftLayer's chief scientist explains the architectural and fiscal benefits.  Continue Reading

• Cloud across borders: Best practices for global cloud privacy and security

  Data privacy in the cloud remains an issue that isn't going away for U.S. cloud customers. Are there any safe havens?  Continue Reading

• NSA scandal serves as mother of invention for cloud privacy industry

  Because necessity is the mother of invention, the NSA scandal accelerated the market for cloud privacy, meaning data is safer than ever in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Price cuts, vendor changes top cloud computing news in 2013

  From VMware splitting vCloud Director to Dell folding its public cloud offering, the cloud industry has made plenty of news so far this year.  Continue Reading

• Open source cloud will outshine AWS, says OpenStack founder

  When OpenStack formed three years ago, it was in the right place at the right time. Will the open-source cloud star remain bright?  Continue Reading

• PayPal exec talks cloud deployment models, cloud psychology

  Moving to cloud is a multi-step process, says PayPal's Saran Mandair. With new technologies hitting the market, enterprise IT must know its motives.  Continue Reading

• Agility, software-defined data center shape PayPal cloud

  PayPal is no stranger to innovation. Moving toward a software-defined data center is one way Saran Mandair ensures the company meets customer demands.  Continue Reading

• Cloud migration strategy: Consider portability, security, overall risk

  In this Q&A, author Thomas Erl explains why -- and how -- companies should get smarter about portability, security and other cloud migration risks.  Continue Reading

• Cloud disaster recovery offers data protection at low cost

  Cloud disaster recovery and backup offer high availability at low cost. There are plenty of cloud backup options -- and some snags -- to consider.  Continue Reading

• Transitioning legacy software to SaaS without gutting functionality

  Legacy software and the cloud are often considered mutually exclusive, but one company proved that wrong -- without killing functionality.  Continue Reading

• Cloud and startups a less-than-perfect match as companies grow

  The cloud computing model offers cost and flexibility advantages for startups, but the downsides may eventually outweigh the initial benefits for growing companies.  Continue Reading

• PaaS system benefits go beyond just freeing up developers' time

  By handling operations work, Platform as a Service allows developers to focus on coding. But PaaS can provide plenty of other benefits as well.  Continue Reading

• PaaS application development: Key factors to keep in mind

  In this feature, former SearchCloudApplications editor Adam Riglian delivers an introduction to application development with Platform as a Service.  Continue Reading

• Cloud outages cause heartbreak, unleash chaos

  Cloud outages do happen, but the IT pros who prepare ahead of time are the ones who suffer the least damage.  Continue Reading

• What is PaaS? Experts explain growing role in 'as a service' family

  Former assistant editor Stephanie Mann shares insights on the increasingly popular but still nascent Platform as a Service (PaaS) delivery model.  Continue Reading

• Canadian G-Cloud aims to stop country's tech innovation drought

  Along with security and cost worries, Canada must overcome a stagnant technology market on its path to G-Cloud -- but how high are the hurdles really?  Continue Reading

• High-tech leaders call for Canadian G-Cloud First policy

  Canadian tech leaders make a play for government adoption of cloud services, hoping it can kick-start innovation and communication in the country.  Continue Reading

• Understanding IT's role in cloud security and compliance

  Cloud security and compliance concerns linger for enterprise IT, but not all responsibility falls on them. Vendors must carry some of the load.  Continue Reading

• Private PaaS eases enterprise governance, cloud security concerns

  Enterprise IT is seeing the value of private PaaS on the path to true public PaaS. But don't ditch your existing IaaS architecture.  Continue Reading

• IaaS infringes on acceptance of true PaaS cloud architecture

  Despite the many benefits of a true PaaS cloud architecture, IaaS vendors are marking their territory by offering pseudo PaaS.  Continue Reading

• PaaS adoption hindered by cloud washing, market immaturity

  Many cloud pros see PaaS as the next big thing, if it can overcome vendors' cloud washing tricks and market immaturity. But what makes true PaaS?  Continue Reading

• Focus on cloud goals and developer needs to choose the right PaaS

  Companies looking to invest in PaaS are faced with more choices than ever before. Focus on cloud goals and developer needs to choose the right one.  Continue Reading

• Building a cloud ecosystem with open source software

  The open source community fosters innovation in the name of cloud. OW2's Cédric Thomas talks of 'coopitition' and the open source cloud revolution.  Continue Reading

• At Modus Create, BaaS makes cloud-based address book app a reality

  After starting with an in-house solution to manage the contact info of its employees, Modus Create used BaaS to build a cloud-based address book app.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing practices represent a fundamental shift in IT

  As cloud evolves how IT does business, enterprises must better understand the cloud to ensure they're implementing effective cloud computing practices.  Continue Reading

• Looking to the future of legacy applications in the cloud

  Legacy applications and other apps may not be well suited for the cloud now, but the future is bright for overcoming these current challenges.  Continue Reading

• Customization issues hinder enterprise cloud productivity app adoption

  Experts say that difficulty customizing cloud-based productivity apps can hinder their adoption in larger enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Cloud outages: What to do when cloud services and apps fail

  Learn how to identify cloud outages quickly and best practices for resolutions.  Continue Reading

• The state of enterprise IT and cloud vendor relations

  Providers have been crying cloud for years. Will enterprise IT tune out their constant claims or will they realize this time it might be the truth?  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing adoption numbers don't add up to vendor noise

  Enterprises projecting a move to cloud computing may be more hopeful than ready. Data shows actual cloud penetration doesn't live up to expectations.  Continue Reading

• Industry-specific requirements shape the evolution of the XaaS market

  As the Anything as a Service market shifts to a more industry-focused approach, will it lure enterprise IT?  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing services: Lease vs. own

  Many services and applications can be handled by cloud computing providers. But enterprises should look carefully at cost before deciding whether to lease or own.  Continue Reading

• SaaS tools step up to fill identity management void

  A new breed of SaaS-based identity management tools are cropping up, with some integrating with Active Directory to assist with the transition.  Continue Reading

• Identity and access management market faces identity crisis in cloud

  The propagation of shadow IT and SaaS apps is wreaking havoc on enterprise identity -- and IT's ability to manage it properly.  Continue Reading

• Wrestling with the concept of private PaaS

  Enterprise IT pros anxious about maintaining security and control in public cloud are looking to private PaaS, but it may not alleviate all worries.  Continue Reading

• Is iPaaS the Holy Grail of cloud application deployment?

  Not only does iPaaS help automate cloud application deployment, it could also help enterprises get comfortable moving mission-critical apps to cloud.  Continue Reading

• One on One: The education of a cloud expert

  Mark Szynaka started in traditional IT, but he evolved into a cloud expert. In this Q&A, he gives his take on public cloud adoption and reliability.  Continue Reading

• At IntrinsiQ, private PaaS bolsters software for oncology clinicians

  Healthcare IT company IntrinsiQ leveraged the Apprenda private PaaS to cut costs and improve deployment of software used by oncology clinicians.  Continue Reading

• HPC systems: Out of the lab and into the enterprise

  HPC was once sequestered in research labs, but enterprise IT is beginning to see its value for addressing some of the toughest business challenges.  Continue Reading

• Beat challenges of integrating SaaS apps with on-premises legacy apps

  As companies turn to Software as a Service, they must prepare for challenges that arise when integrating with legacy enterprise applications.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud architecture is goal for IT in public-private debate

  Hybrid cloud is more than a stepping stone for enterprises making moves to cloud, says BMC CTO Kia Behnia. It’s the final destination.  Continue Reading

• Six cloud computing industry leaders to follow on Twitter

  Want to eavesdrop on what cloud computing leaders are saying about industry trends? Follow these six Twitter accounts for expert opinions and scoops.  Continue Reading

• Making a hybrid cloud model a reality in enterprise IT

  Talk about the emergence of hybrid cloud is real, but with few enterprises actually building hybrid clouds is the myth greater than reality?  Continue Reading

• Cloud propels HPC sector

  High-performance computing has been a bright spot in IT spending, but if IT can overcome challenges, HPC in the cloud can boost the sector even more.  Continue Reading

• Linux cloud makes some headway with enterprise IT

  Linux has gained some enterprise traction as an open source OS option, but Microsoft Windows holds the lead. Could cloud be the key to Linux acceptance?  Continue Reading

• The cloud computing market forecast for 2013: Experts predict what to expect

  In this expert cloud computing market forecast for 2013, learn which vendors and technologies will prevail in the unpredictable cloud industry.  Continue Reading

• When an in-house IT infrastructure wins out over cloud computing

  You don’t have to be all cloud, all the time, argues one analyst. The hybrid cloud model balances on-premises IT infrastructure and public cloud.  Continue Reading

• Understanding your options for outsourcing IT

  The terms MSP, cloud, colocation and hosting are often used interchangeably, but they're far from the same. Know the differences when outsourcing IT.  Continue Reading

• Cloud performance problems are elementary for Watson

  Improving cloud performance for one of the largest Amazon deployments in the world is a dream come true for Netflix's Coburn Watson.  Continue Reading

• Two hours in the cloud: The year's best cloud computing Q&As

  This year's best cloud computing Q&As give insights into data security, open source and the morphing role of IT admins in the face of cloud adoption.  Continue Reading

• Big data analytics, CloudStack top hot cloud computing trends in 2013

  As cloud vendors look to entice enterprise IT, 2013's cloud computing trends center on BYOD policy, big data analytics and debates around standards.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises see clear advantage of cloud computing and BYOD combo

  The BYOD trend puts enterprise IT in a sticky spot. Despite benefits, BYOD and cloud cause security pains. This FAQ helps you prep for what's coming.  Continue Reading

• Introducing IT chargeback to meter private cloud use

  IT chargeback is a vital cog in your private cloud wheel. To properly bill users for IT resources, choose one of these four models.  Continue Reading

• Listening skills crucial for online community managers

  Listening to users and giving them the social platform software they want is crucial for online community managers.  Continue Reading

• AWS re:Invent public cloud conference praise and snark from Twitter

  Packed hallways and technical sessions didn't dampen attendees' glowing tweets about AWS re:Invent 2012 cloud conference in Las Vegas.  Continue Reading

• 'Big data' collection efforts spark an information ethics debate

  Applications vendors have some soul-searching to do over their approach to 'big data' ethics and information privacy, according to experts.  Continue Reading