Cloud Computing Uncertainty, Domino and Google Apps
Category
[ED: 4/7/08, added material from CRN]
Slate has an interesting op-ed on giving Cloud Computing a reality check. The cloud fails.
My own company is currently evaluating a replacement of our messaging system with Google Apps. I'm not part of the committee examining the costs or merits, but I do support the effort. It's not that I think less of Notes, or that Google is magic. On the contrary, I think the Domino/Notes 8 platform is the most compelling solution. But, I think studies of this kind can be incredibly useful in encouraging and focusing the direction of our messaging/collaboration platform.
In Paul Boutin's article he notes:
Right now, there is one advantage of the cloud: storage. It's cheaper and less hassle to manage. Google Apps allows 25 G of mail per account, which answers a very real need. Of course, I don't agree that unlimited mail storage helps anyone to organize themselves, but e-mail management is very personal. Users are reluctant to alter their behavior if they can postpone the inevitable for another year. Who can blame them?
Microsoft, of course, has a number of these SAAS initiatives. CRN has reviewed their Skydrive, which provides free on-line storage. So how well does a free SAAS storage facility from Microsoft perform? Here's a quote from CRN's Not Safe For Work:
I'm hoping that there will be enough testers that experience Paul's dilemma and CRN's conclusion, so that an accord can be reached for balancing larger data stores for e-mail (by expanding our archive server, and working with quotas). And, in the mean time, I'm going to continue to keep an eye on the cloud. I'm sure there is a silver lining, somewhere.
Technorati Tags: Cloud Computing
[ED: 4/7/08, added material from CRN]Slate has an interesting op-ed on giving Cloud Computing a reality check. The cloud fails.
My own company is currently evaluating a replacement of our messaging system with Google Apps. I'm not part of the committee examining the costs or merits, but I do support the effort. It's not that I think less of Notes, or that Google is magic. On the contrary, I think the Domino/Notes 8 platform is the most compelling solution. But, I think studies of this kind can be incredibly useful in encouraging and focusing the direction of our messaging/collaboration platform.
In Paul Boutin's article he notes:
In theory, Web-based apps also known as "software as a service" or, less precisely, "cloud computing" are the future of computers. That ignores the huge progress in personal computers that sit on your desktop, in your lap, or in your pocket. Multi-core processors, touch screens, motion sensors all major computing advances, none of which are happening in the cloud.
Right now, there is one advantage of the cloud: storage. It's cheaper and less hassle to manage. Google Apps allows 25 G of mail per account, which answers a very real need. Of course, I don't agree that unlimited mail storage helps anyone to organize themselves, but e-mail management is very personal. Users are reluctant to alter their behavior if they can postpone the inevitable for another year. Who can blame them?
Microsoft, of course, has a number of these SAAS initiatives. CRN has reviewed their Skydrive, which provides free on-line storage. So how well does a free SAAS storage facility from Microsoft perform? Here's a quote from CRN's Not Safe For Work:
After extensive review, not only does the CRN Test Center not recommend SkyDrive, but it would also be advisable for VARs to suggest their clients block its access through content filters.Ouch.
I'm hoping that there will be enough testers that experience Paul's dilemma and CRN's conclusion, so that an accord can be reached for balancing larger data stores for e-mail (by expanding our archive server, and working with quotas). And, in the mean time, I'm going to continue to keep an eye on the cloud. I'm sure there is a silver lining, somewhere.
Technorati Tags: Cloud Computing
- 
