Fortune/CNN: Is Microsoft the Next GM?

In a recent contributed blog post on CNNMoney.com, Jay R. Galbraith, president and founder, Galbraith Management Consultants asks, "Will Microsoft become the General Motors of software?"

Whether you are a fan of Microsoft products or a detractor, this is an interesting read.

Manage Email Retention With or Without an Archive

With 25GB of inbox space for each user, managing space is rarely an issue. Company policies related to records retention, however, often create a need to enforce retention policies on email messages.

In Google Apps Premier Edition, you can not set a retention period for email. Once set, Gmail will automatically permanently delete all email messages older than the retention period.

If you want or need to limit user retention of emails, but need to retain corporate access to messages for legal or compliance reasons, we can add Google Message Discovery to your Google Apps service.

Google Message Discovery is an email archive/recovery/e-discovery service that offers secure, audited archives of all messages sent or delivered for up to 10 years. Message Discovery also works with most any in-house email system.

Click Here to learn more about Google Message Discovery or to view a product data sheet (PDF format).

Industry Update: Microsoft's Sidekick/Danger Failure was NOT a Cloud Failure

Over the weekend, Microsoft and T-Mobile acknowledged that the server failure earlier in the week would likely result in the total loss of user data.

While some in the "tech media and blog-o-sphere" tout this as a failure of the cloud computing model, the reality is somewhat different.

Read my post at Internet Evolution and learn more why not all hosted services are cloud-based and why it is important to know the difference.

-- Allen

Google Apps and OpenID

With in-house systems, multiple user names and passwords are often an issue as applications and systems have unique security systems and requirements. So too is the case as you move into cloud computing solutions.

By providing an API for OpenID, organizations can allow users to log into OpenID-enabled applications using their Google Apps username and password.

This feature, available for Education and Premier Editions only, improves the end user experience.

Learn more ...

An Interesting Discussion about Exchange vs Google Apps

Back in May, I posted Google Apps vs Exchange Part I that included a link to a comparison presentation. There have been some recent comments and an interesting discussion about the post and the presentation.

To save you searching back in time, you can click here to see the original post and the comments.

As always, your thoughts are welcome.

Cost Savings versus Sustainability?

A recent article in Mass High Tech lamented that "Company cost savings still trump cleantech, alternative energy".

The assumption that cleantech and cost savings are mutually exclusive, however, is flawed.

Cloud computing lowers carbon footprint and, in most cases, offers significant cost savings. Furthermore, cloud-based solutions shift IT spending from capital expenditures to operating expense.

To see how cloud based solutions, such as Google Apps, compare with in-house solutions, such as Exchange, click here and here.

Microsoft Readies Office in the Cloud

In a move that indicates Microsoft is looking to battle Google Apps in the cloud, Microsoft is now the owner of the Office.com domain (click here).

But, if Microsoft is going to going to compete, they will need to move away from the perpetual license business model. Some cannibalization of software sales will be inevitable as customers move to the cloud. Currently, however, Microsoft acknowledges that even the paid web version of Office 2010 will require a locally installed copy of all features to be operational.

In comparison, Google Apps stands-alone but has the ability to integrate with locally installed MS Office and Open Office software. So long as the local-copy is optional, Google Apps will have the advantage.

Cloud Computing for SMBs is not Just About Google and CRM

The range of cloud-based solutions for small- and mid-size businesses continues to grow. One example is WorkingPoint, a cloud-based business management system that includes invoicing, expenses, bookkeeping, contact management, and other features backed by a double-entry accounting system.

Designed for small businesses, WorkingPoint runs over Amazon's cloud. The first user is free, with additional users costing $10/month. For a company with simple bookkeeping and accounting needs and a few (or only one) person needing access, the cost/benefit of WorkingPoint is compelling.

As I said, though, this is only one example of cloud- based solutions moving into areas of business computing beyond email, collaboration, and CRM.

Which services have you found? Do you use?

Can Unite Create Collaboration?

The team at Opera Software, makers of the Opera browser, released Opera Unite. Unite is a browser-based web-server that allows individuals to share files, host web sites, post notes, share photos, and remotely access music and videos.

The concept and potential for collaborative communications is great. The reality, however, may not live up to the vision.

Home Users:

Definitely the target customer for Unite, home users will be able to create personal and public web presences with little effort at no cost. The downside, however, is bandwidth. Your 5 Mbps DSL speed is download. Upload speed -- how fast data moves from your computer out to the Internet -- is likely no more than 768 Kbps. Accessing Unite sites can be slow and choppy, failing to provide a viable user experience.

Of greater concern, is the networking ports that need to be opened. Your cable Internet or DSL provider probably delivered a router with all inbound access blocked. You can surf the web because the web site is responding to a request that you made. With Unite, you will need to open ports to allow access to initiate from the outside world. Automatic port scanners used by Internet villains will find your computer and you will be attacked. It is only a matter of time.

Small Businesses:

The thought of free web site development and hosting is very tempting to many small businesses. But small businesses face the same issues as home users with respect to security and performance.

In addition, the file sharing capabilities may put your data at risk.

Larger Businesses:

Larger companies with security policies are not going to allow outside traffic into the company's network for Unite sites. It is risky from a security standpoint and with respect to the risk to confidential information via the file sharing feature. Internally, cheap and easy sites for project teams and other collaboration are tempting.

Using Unite within a business, however, creates a host of issues. A collection of disjoint collaboration sites makes it nearly impossible to ensure sensitive data remains private, information on the sites is backed up, and that hosting a local web site does not impede business applications.

In short, the vision and concept behind Opera Unite is pretty cool. The reality of how it can and will be used remains a risky proposition. One of the benefits of using a cloud- or SaaS-based solution is that the vendor provides security and operates on neutral turf. With a service provider, you can work, share, and collaborate without opening your network and computer to outsiders. A little money can save a lot of headache.

Google Fusion Tables: Databases in The Cloud

On June 9th, Google quietly announced the Beta availability of Google Fusion Tables. This "Labs" application provides the ability to query multiple databases and data sources, including social media, rss, and other live feeds.

While an early labs release, Google Fusion Tables is a clear indication that Google hears its customers' desire for better data management with Google Apps Premier Edition and the "cloud", in general.

Will You Catch the Google Wave?

What if some of the most create web developers decided to rethink email, IM, and Internet communications from scratch? What if they worked for a company with the resources to let them think and create for years? What is you could mix the real-time communication of Twitter and Facebook with the organization of email and contacts?

The answer: Google Wave. Take a sneak peek here.

Google Apps CAN Integrate with Internal Apps

In April, Google announced a secure data connector for Google Apps. With Google Secure Data Connector, employees you specify can interact with authorized data from your on-premise applications within Google Sites, Google Docs and custom App Engine applications, even when employees aren't on your corporate network.

This represents a significant enhancement, available only for Premier and Education Editions.

Learn more ...

Cloud Computing Reaches Mainstream Media

Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is gaining coverage in mainstream, non-tech media, such as USA Today. This is an indication of broader acceptance in the market.

Last Minute Invitation

If you are in the area and can leave work a little early, please join Horizon Info Services at the Corridor Nine Chamber's Open for Business Expo.

It is a great opportunity to see our Cloud Computing solutions first-hand, including Google Apps Premier Edition, Google Security and Compliance Solutions, and our industry-leading online backup and recovery solutions.

WHERE: Doubletree Westborough, MA
WHEN: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
COST: FREE

We hope to see you there.

First Microsoft SMB Insight Report Highlights Virtualization and SaaS

In the first edition of an anticipated annual survey and report, the 2009 Microsoft SMB Insight Report confirms key trends in virtualization and Software as a Service. Key findings from the survey of more than 600 companies and Small Business Specialists from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Brazil identified the following technologies more likely to drive SMB growth and profitability in 2009.

• 50% of the surveyed Small Business Specialists identified virtualization or IT consolidation through a small or mid-size server as the technology most likely to reduce operating costs
  
• The Small Business Specialists expect a 20% increase this year in the use of Software as a Service
  
• More than 35% percent of the Small Business Specialists considered
  customer relationship management (CRM) the best investment
  for maximizing business growth in a down economy
  
• Nearly 40% expect an increased interest in business intelligence and identified it as a critical tool for helping improve a customer's experience and increase loyalty
  
• Over 50% expect an increase in the number of SMB remote workers, and nearly 60% expect that the shift to more remote workers also will lead to bigger roles and more responsibilities for those individuals working remotely.

While "Small Business Specialists" are resources from within the Microsoft community, the report confirms broader trends towards more efficient computing solutions.

The Open Cloud Manifesto is Finally Here ... What do YOU think?

Following a very noisy public spat between Microsoft and the Cloud Computing Interoperability Forum (CCIF), and within the CCIF itself, the Open Cloud Manifesto is available to the public.

Here is my opinion on the conflict and the process to date.

Please read the "Manifesto" and let me know what you think.

Cloud Computing Brought Down to Earth

If you are interested in a macro view of cloud computing and the emerging industry, this blog post from Gregg Ness is a great place to start. Gregg looks at three key factors from a network perspective (network automation and management, capacity, and security) and provides a context for understanding reality versus vendor hype.

Cloud Computing to Grow by 21% This Year

As reported on PCMAG.COM, Gartner is projecting a 21% world-wide growth in Cloud Computing. The report identifies the success of Google in creating a new business and delivery model which Microsoft, Yahoo, and others are now starting to emulate.

My First Feature Role in an Industry Webinar!

On April 15th, I will be one of three featured guests on a Webinar hosted by The VAR Guy and MSP Mentor.

The VAR Guy Live:Google Apps and the Amazon Cloud - Real SaaS Opportunities for VARs?

Click Here to Register.

See you online!

Steve Ballmer Diagram's Microsoft's View of Cloud Computing

In an interview for a recent article in the New York Times, Steve Ballmer (Microsoft's CEO), drew a diagram of Cloud Computing.

Look at the diagram for yourself and let me now if you think that Microsoft "gets it".