Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Does my cloud broker hold the key to service success?

  Cloud services brokers serve as valuable intermediaries between an organization and its cloud provider. But what other benefits do they deliver? Continue Reading

• Don't let application integration stand in the way of SaaS adoption

  Industry researchers and readers of TechTarget websites are in agreement when it comes to one particular challenge to software-as-a-service adoption: application and data integration. With more and more organizations looking to the cloud to ... Continue Reading

• Simplifying the complex cloud licensing equation

  When it comes to cloud licensing, the devil's in the details -- from support to the fine print. Do you know what to look for to avoid getting burned? Continue Reading

• Devise a cloud security strategy for governance needs

  IT breaches stir up cloud security concerns. To limit potential issues, enterprises must consider governance needs, tools, providers and more. Continue Reading

• Protecting this house: IT’s role in cloud security

  Securing applications and data is essential for any organization, but the responsibility isn’t evenly distributed. In the ever-shifting cloud landscape, it’s important for IT to create a governance approach that resembles an ongoing process and not ... Continue Reading

• What are the differences among types of integration?

  What are the differences among cloud application integration, cloud integration and iPaaS? Chris Moyer lends his expertise to this reader question.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge of cloud application migration

  Think you know all of the basics of cloud application migration? Take this five-question quiz and find out.Continue Reading

• Are there intellectual property issues with SaaS tools?

  Should businesses worry about intellectual property when using SaaS tools? Read this expert response to find out.Continue Reading

• What should I look for in cloud storage availability?

  It's nearly impossible to avoid downtime with any IT service, and cloud storage is no exception. But what should you consider for cloud storage availability?Continue Reading

• Facing the challenges of migrating applications to the Azure cloud

  Porting an existing application from on-premises to Microsoft Azure comes with challenges, but the hurdles aren't impossible to overcome.Continue Reading

• Is it possible to block employees from public cloud access?

  Security concerns lead to organizations blacklisting some public cloud services as they would certain websites -- but not all blacklisting is increasing productivity.Continue Reading

• Crunching the numbers with cloud cost analysis tools

  Cloud costs can quickly skyrocket if the budget isn't kept in check. Cloud cost analysis tools, such as CloudCheckr and Cloudability, however, can help avoid that monthly sticker shock.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

• Untangle cloud billing knots across multiple providers

  Tracking your spending while using multiple cloud accounts can be a budgeting nightmare, but services are available to simplify the process.Continue Reading

• DRaaS benefits spark market growth, mask dangers

  Cloud-based disaster recovery addresses major enterprise concerns, such as lower costs and greater flexibility. But it's not without warts of its own.Continue Reading

• Migrating to Office 365 requires planning, pilot-testing

  Contributor Tom Nolle explains why companies migrating to Office 365 need to plan, pilot-test and verify at every step.Continue Reading

• AWS platform services emerge from Microsoft's PaaS failures

  Amid signs that Microsoft's PaaS commitment isn't working, cloud pros are concerned about profit beyond IaaS. Reigning leader AWS may have found it.Continue Reading

• Thinking outside the 'box' for cloud orchestration strategies

  Cloud orchestration can offer IT pros the dynamic environment cloud requires, but a strategy must be carefully implemented to see results.Continue Reading

• Is Amazon CloudSearch superior to do-it-yourself search tools?

  Big data can be incredibly valuable for enterprise business intelligence. But to extract that value, you must choose the most appropriate search tool.Continue Reading

• Five things every cloud developer needs to know about Windows Azure

  Cloud developers who use Windows Azure must keep in mind these best practices throughout development and deployment, and the entire lifecycle.Continue Reading

• Four keys to implementing a cloud file-sharing policy in the BYOD era

  Cloud admins must balance securing content with on-demand access for users, or users will flout the file-sharing policy.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

• SaaS applications integration: Strategies and best practices for success

  Looking to learn more about SaaS integration? Check out this guide for a collection of articles, podcasts and other resources.Continue Reading

• If IT had a hammer: Choosing among IaaS, PaaS and SaaS

  Enterprises tend to use the latest technology to solve all of its IT problems. But if your apps are nails, is IaaS, PaaS or SaaS really the hammer?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

• Choosing among IaaS, PaaS and Database as a Service for a cloud database

  Regardless of which cloud database you choose, multiple factors must come into play, ranging from costs and availability to feature support.Continue Reading

• Securing data with Authentication as a Service in the cloud, mobile era

  Authentication as a Service is enabled by standard security protocols, but other service features can be the keys to deciding on a provider.Continue Reading

• When IaaS won't cut it: Planning a transition to PaaS cloud

  Many IT pros find PaaS meets their needs more than IaaS does. How can you ensure success? Transitioning to PaaS isn't as easy as you think.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

• Best practices for comparing and deploying cloud servers

  Before you can compare performance benchmark reports on cloud servers, know the facts on what to look for when it comes to price and performance.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

• Negating network latency's effects without bending law of physics

  Moving apps to the cloud for flexibility sounds great in theory, but latency creates its own problems unless you know how to counter its effects.Continue Reading

• Windows Azure Media Services gives YouTube junkies a new outlet

  Enterprises need only look to YouTube's stats to see the value of video. Windows Azure Media Services has the benefits of video with more control.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

• IPaaS: Confusion around cloud and on-premises app-integration

  Experts consider iPaaS as the fastest growing integration middleware approach, though cloud capabilities remain confusing.Continue Reading

• Entry-level big data analysis with Google BigQuery

  For enterprises intimidated by Hadoop, Google BigQuery offers an entry-level approach to big data analysis, but it may trade accuracy for speed.Continue Reading

• How SaaS app portability planning can ease pricing, stability woes

  SaaS app portability planning can help users deal with pricing and business stability issues for SaaS providers. Tom Nolle explains.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'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

• Platform as a Service vendors help cloud market evolution

  Platform as a Service vendors continue to evolve offerings to keep up with customer needs. Which provider is the right fit for your organization?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

• Application portability in PaaS: Problems and solutions

  Even in the early stage of cloud adoption, users of PaaS services are already questioning the portability of the applications.Continue Reading

• App integration woes: Even in cloud age, pain is still acute

  App integration remains a pain point for software development. Learn why cloud app integration remains promising.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

• Java vs. Ruby: A cloud software engineer weighs in

  A cloud software engineer shares tips on Java versus Ruby, app security and deployment.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

• Security considerations for IaaS cloud

  Learn about the necessary security considerations for IaaS cloud environments.Continue Reading

• You're charging me for what?! Deconstructing your AWS cloud bill

  With the array of AWS cloud services offered, your bill can get confusing. Learn how to decipher your cloud bill so you don't get sticker shock.Continue Reading

• Cloud stack comparison shopping for your private cloud build

  Will it be OpenStack, CloudStack, Eucalyptus or another option? Save yourself from costly mistakes by choosing the right cloud software up front.Continue Reading

• Mobile app development trends to watch

  Learn about the changes in mobile app development and what this means for software application architecture.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

• Building redundancy into your cloud outage strategy

  Any effective cloud computing strategy should include measures to protect against outages. The best defense you can have is to plan for redundancy.Continue Reading

• How cloud computing, tablets will reshape the desktop

  The cloud and tablets both have sizable benefits for enterprises. Aligning the two can change the way you think about desktops.Continue Reading

• Using DevOps tools to support the cloud of the future

  DevOps continues to change with advancements in IT. With the help of cloud computing, IT pros are using DevOps tools to deploy more efficient apps.Continue Reading

• The role of software-defined networks in cloud computing

  Software-defined networking can be difficult to define. Understanding SDN models is key for enterprises trying to properly position cloud services.Continue Reading

• Why SaaS application integration requires new strategies, tools

  When companies need to integrate their in-house and SaaS applications, old tools won't stand up to challenges.Continue Reading

• Re-defining the Windows Azure cloud computing message

  A weak marketing message may be behind some Windows Azure confusion and slower-than-expected adoption rates.Continue Reading

• How do you customize SaaS applications?

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

• Understanding the significance of DevOps in a cloud deployment

  DevOps and cloud go hand-in-hand, facilitating application deployment and automation. Will DevOps be the key to enterprise cloud?Continue Reading

• Cloud computing development tools call for collaboration, integration

  When developing apps in the cloud, look for tools that allow collaboration and align with your IaaS or PaaS platform.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing tips and tricks -- by the numbers

  There are thousands of cloud computing tips offering cloud knowledge. One cloud expert stripped down this info to a handful of lists essential to any cloud project.Continue Reading

• Choosing the right cloud connector for application integration

  Many architects are turning to cloud connectors to connect on-premise applications to cloud-based software. Choosing the right one can be a challenge.Continue Reading

• Windows Azure Services allows multi-tenant IaaS cloud

  The latest Windows Azure Services for Windows Server preview enables cloud hosting providers to offer multi-tenant Windows Azure IaaS subscriptions.Continue Reading

• The road to SaaS and on-premises integration is treacherous—take a map

  Getting fundamentally different applications to play nice is not simple, but with careful planning and a good understanding of your requirements, rewards are well within reach.Continue Reading

• Cloud integration a challenge for testers

  Developers have more cloud integration technology choices than ever, but system and application dependencies can complicate integration testing.Continue Reading

• Five hybrid cloud security issues to overcome

  Many factors threaten hybrid cloud security, ranging from a lack of redundancy to poorly constructed SLAs. Here's how IT should prepare.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

• Peeling back the layers of the Platform as a Service market

  The PaaS market can be split into traditional IT vendors and independent, niche providers. Which choice offers an enterprise long-term cloud health?Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• Reducing risks with multiple cloud service providers

  Using multiple cloud providers can help mitigate public cloud risks, though the challenges of a multi-cloud environment take some getting used to.Continue Reading

• Windows Azure Active Directory enables single sign-on with cloud apps

  Linking Active Directory to multi-tenanted Windows Azure apps can simplify user sign-on in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Common mistakes in cloud application deployment

  Simple mistakes are plaguing cloud application deployment. The good news is, they are easily addressed.Continue Reading

• Five VMware tools to kick start a private cloud build

  If you're kicking the tires on a private cloud, you might want to read up on these five VMware tools.Continue Reading

• Implementing SOA in the cloud

  Learn why there is confusion surrounding implementing SOA in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Evaluating SaaS providers: Uncovering vendor weaknesses

  Learn the four evaluation criteria for evaluating SaaS provider strengths and weaknesses.Continue Reading

• Dell adds ‘big data’ connector to Boomi cloud integration platform

  The new version of cloud integration software offers Hadoop connectors, increased security and new regression testing capabilities.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• Cloud security testing strategies

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

• Five common mistakes of constructing a cloud presence

  With all that’s involved in moving to the cloud -- choosing a provider, determining which workloads to cloud-enable, and more – mistakes will happen.Continue Reading

• Mobile cloud computing vs. cloud computing in building or hosting mobile apps

  Learn the differences in using the mobile cloud computing for developing or hosting mobile apps when compared to regular cloud usageContinue Reading

• Best practices for implementing a private cloud computing environment

  Learn best practices for implementing private cloud computing environments and avoiding security problems in the public cloud.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

• PaaS selection starts at the programming language

  The PaaS market is growing without a single leader or approach. Picking a model should involve more than just saying, ‘Eeney, meeney, miney, moe.’Continue Reading

• The basics of cloud-based data storage

  Public cloud can offer near-limitless storage, though it’s not always the right choice. Storing the wrong type of data there has its consequences.Continue Reading

• Big data buzz gets louder with Apache Hadoop and Hive

  Apache Hive gives SQL-savvy developers the power to add up complex queries against big data in Windows Azure blobs.Continue Reading

• Primary factors for migrating VMs to the cloud

  Cloud may seem to change everything, but the issues aren't new. Looking closely at virtual-to-cloud migration, it's more like a throwback to P2V days.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of a non-VM-based IaaS model

  Building an IaaS cloud without using VMs has some limits. The ability to progress to a mixed-service cloud can help IT teams ignore potential issues.Continue Reading

• Why big data, testing make good Amazon EC2 spot instance candidates

  Amazon EC2 spot instances are ideal for use with some cloud apps. Running tasks like big data analysis there can even reduce your bottom line.Continue Reading

• Rules for deploying virtual machine images in the cloud

  Choosing a method for deploying VMs in the cloud forces you to reckon with your priorities. Weigh advantages of assembly on demand vs. golden images.Continue Reading

• Examining the state of PaaS in the year of ‘big data’

  Either more vendors are offering ‘big data’ capabilities or they have creative marketing teams. Which PaaS provider’s big data cloud is the real deal?Continue Reading

• Using OpenStack as the building block for a do-it-yourself cloud

  While building a private cloud on open source software may not be for all companies, OpenStack has features that make it worth it to develop in-house.Continue Reading

• Planning and testing cloud-based disaster recovery

  Cloud-based disaster recovery can be less expensive and faster than traditional DR -- and it could protect your enterprise when all hell breaks loose.Continue Reading

• Open source cloud platforms: Moving from hype to production

  Success of several open source cloud providers hinges on whether OpenStack cloud is production-ready. How do Eucalyptus, Red Hat and others stack up?Continue Reading

• Selecting the right virtual machine for your private cloud

  So you’re ready to get into private cloud? Pace yourself. Choosing to cloud-enable the wrong VM could negatively affect performance.Continue Reading

• Keys to integrated cloud application management

  Seamless cloud application management isn’t a pipe dream. By following a few steps, cloud admins can monitor cloud app performance from one interface.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud management tools and strategies

  Determining how to manage hybrid clouds can seem daunting. The trick is to identify what you need to manage and the best types of tools for the job.Continue Reading

• Six principles of HP Cloud Services

  Lining up cloud platforms from major vendors can cause vertigo. What’s the difference among private cloud products? Take a look at HP Cloud Services.Continue Reading

• Four cloud computing myths debunked

  Misinformation and misconceptions surround the cloud market, and falling for these four myths can ruin your cloud project.Continue Reading