Category Archives: Cloud Computing
Pano Logic and Alliance InfoSystems Join Forces to Deliver Zero Client Computing
REDWOOD CITY, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 17, 2012) - Pano Logic, the leader in zero client desktop virtualization and desktop in the cloud computing, today announced that Alliance InfoSystems, LLC (AIS) of Baltimore, MD, has joined Pano Logic's value-added reseller program for North America. AIS joins a growing network of Pano resellers that assist organizations with radically centralizing desktop computing and slashing their total cost of ownership (TCO) with the Pano System.
AIS partnered with Pano Logic in early spring 2012, and brings to the relationship an important distinction in the state of Maryland. AIS is certified by Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC), which provides members opportunities to license the use of education hardware and software along with relevant services including training and interaction. With this certification, AIS can distribute Pano Logic products to the state's public and private K-16+ institutions, public libraries and museums.
"We see our partnership with Pano Logic as a strategic development in our business and to the state of Maryland," Swadesh Guchhait, CEO of AIS, said. "By partnering with manufacturers like Pano Logic, we are meeting the growing demand for cloud and virtualization technologies. Pano Logic best positions our company to meet the needs of the marketplace."
Pano Logic's purpose-built zero client solution for desktop virtualization and cloud computing is sold through strategic channel partners that have core expertise in virtual infrastructure and/or cloud desktop computing. Many have also invested in Pano Logic technical certification and sales training, learning to assess, deploy and optimize Pano Logic across a range of network infrastructures. Partners ensure that Pano Logic pilot programs are deployed successfully and provide the guidance needed to calculate TCO to achieve buy-in within the organization.
"We have already realized the benefits from our partnership with Alliance, both in sales and in expanding our channel of reseller partners," Ethan O'Rafferty, vice president of alliances and channel development, Pano Logic, said. "We believe Alliance will play an important role in transforming the desktop virtualization market and we're happy to have them on board."
Pano Logic's endpoint device, the Pano Zero Client, represents the only true zero client desktop virtualization solution on the market. It is a solid-state device that has no processor, no storage, no memory and no operating system. The Pano Zero Client completely eliminates endpoint support and maintenance, fully enabling the benefits of centralized management of a Windows desktop environment and eliminates endpoint dependence in a cloud environment. The small form factor consumes 97 percent less power than PCs, 50 percent less power than thin clients or other so-called zero clients, and do not store data locally, fully eliminating endpoint security liabilities.
To learn more about Alliance InfoSystems and the partnership with Pano Logic, please email sales@panologic.com.
About Pano Logic Inc.
Pano Logic is the leader in Zero Client Desktop Computing.Pano Logic's innovative desktop virtualization(VDI)hardware and software solution-- the Pano System-- redefinesthe delivery and management of end user computing by radically centralizingdesktop management. The Pano Logic zero client VDI platform is a completeend-to-end solution purpose-built for desktop virtualization, simplifying thecomplexity and management of virtual desktops and slashing TCO by as much as 80percent. Pano System for Cloud delivers web-based computing through Google's Chrome browser andeliminates the need for a local operating system and central processing unit. Both platforms utilize the patent-pending Pano Directtechnology, which eliminates the need for costly processing power at theendpoint, making it possible to have an endpoint device that contains NOprocessor, NO operating system, NO memory, NO drivers, NO firmware, NOsoftware, NOR any moving parts, completely eliminating endpoint management andsecurity breaches, while slashing energy consumption by 97 percent as comparedto a PC. The Pano generation of computing, built for virtualization, can plugand play into 99 percent of all hypervisor infrastructures, including VMwareView, Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix XenDesktop, and interoperate with theirmanagement systems. To learn more, visithttp://www.panologic.com.
Original post:
Pano Logic and Alliance InfoSystems Join Forces to Deliver Zero Client Computing
5 Cloud Business Benefits
One of the benefits of cloud computing is increased efficiency; services are rapidly deployed and ready for use in a matter of minutes versus the weeks or months it traditionally takes. But there is more to cloud computing than just getting your compute resources, storage capacity or application as a service within minutes. Based on personal experience with cloud consumers, here are the top five business benefits beyond efficiency.
Business agility
Getting the compute resources you need when you need them tends to shorten IT projects resulting in less FTE to deliver the project and a quicker and more predictive time-to-market. Being able to deliver results faster, cheaper and with more quality might just give your business a competitive edge and make her more nimble on her feet. I have seen a data analytics project being reduced from 4 months to just 3 weeks, reducing the projects time-to-market and overall cost significantly.
New business models
It has become much easier to start business innovation initiatives, often enabled by readily available cloud services. Utilizing or combining these services can result in new and innovative business models, generating new value propositions and resulting in new revenue streams. There are even companies that are building entirely new business models and value propositions solely using cloud services. I see this last category especially in small and medium enterprises, but also think of Spotify, and BitCasa.
Less operational issues
Utilizing standardized services can significantly reduce issues and defects. This increases business continuity and reduce time spent on operational issues, focusing more on the things that matter. Cloud computing allows you to deploy the same service or topology of services repetitively, with the same result every time. This allows organizations to predicatively deploy pre-build server images, application services or entire application landscapes defined using design patterns.
Better use of resources
On the other side of the business agility model, more efficient projects and less operational issues allow your employees to spend their time on other more useful activities that may offer a greater potential value to your business. This benefit is different for every organization and harder to quantify, but people are an organizations biggest asset and this allows you to better utilize this asset.
Another take on better resource usage is based on the fact the principle of economies of scale; cloud service providers, in general, more efficiently utilize physical resources and reduce energy consumption in contract to a traditional IT approach.
Read more here:
5 Cloud Business Benefits
Dell Extends Cloud Client Computing Portfolio with New Solutions Validated by Citrix
BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Dell today is announcing new additions and enhancements to its end-to-end cloud client computing portfolio. The solutions, which are specific to Citrix-based IT environments and now available in the US and Europe, are easy to select, deploy, and support, and deliver a cost effective and highly secure user experience to any device anywhere.
End-to-End Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions with Citrix Products
Dell is unveiling new vStart for VDI Citrix XenDesktop 5.6 reference architectures today. Available in two configurations, vStart for VDI 50 and vStart for VDI 1000 are pre-engineered, pre-built and pre-integrated converged solutions that include Dell's PowerEdge servers, EqualLogic or Compellent storage, PowerConnect or Force10 networking, Dell Wyse T10, Dell Wyse Xenith Pro and now Dell Wyse Xenith 2 thin- and zero-clients and management plug-ins. These VDI infrastructure solutions leverage XenDesktop and help organizations achieve benefits of desktop virtualization in a rapid, highly secure manner.
Dell is also updating its DVS Simplified Appliance this month to specifically address the cost and complexity challenges of virtual desktop adoption with new flexible server form factors, support for new hypervisors and additional new capabilities including:
In addition, beginning this month, Dell will offer optional Managed Services to organizations using Dell DVS Enterprise based on Citrix XenDesktop, a purpose-built, flexible, and highly scalable VDI architecture. Dell Managed Services enables IT organizations to outsource the management of their virtual desktop system and desktop environment so internal IT resources can focus on strategic projects. These service options include remote monitoring and remediation, 24x7 service desk support and incident management, monthly reporting and subscription billing, image management, and patch management.
Finally, Dell channel partners in the US and Europe now have access to Dells PartnerDirect Desktop Virtualization Solutions Competency and Cloud Client Computing Partner Advisor, via the Dell PartnerDirect Portal, to better serve their customers desktop virtualization needs.
New Cloud Clients with Citrix HDX 3D Support
Dell, the market leader in thin-clients, is announcing new support for Citrix HDX 3D technology for zero- and thin-clients, enabling organizations to virtualize and centrally deliver 3D graphics intensive applications and high performing desktops with like native OS performance. Citrix HDX 3D support is now available on the Dell Wyse Z90D7 and Dell Wyse X90m7 Windows Embedded Standard 7 fixed and mobile thin-clients and the Dell Wyse Xenith 2 zero-client. The Xenith 2 is now shipping and offers outstanding performance, energy efficiency, and security while being 30 percent smaller and boasting greater display capabilities and affordability than its predecessor.
Dells new end-to-end cloud client computing and desktop virtualization solutions, including Imprivata's OneSign No Click Access integrated with Dell Wyse thin- and zero-clients, will be showcased at Citrix Synergy Barcelona starting Oct. 17 in Stand #201.
Read this article:
Dell Extends Cloud Client Computing Portfolio with New Solutions Validated by Citrix
AirWatch Receives 2012 Cloud Computing Excellence Award
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AirWatch, the global leader and innovator in mobile security, Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management (MAM), Mobile Content Management (MCM), Mobile Email Management (MEM) and BYOD management announced that TMC, a global, integrated media company, named AirWatch as a 2012 Cloud Computing Excellence Award winner presented by Cloud Computing Magazine.
The Cloud Computing Excellence Awards recognize companies that have most effectively leveraged cloud computing in their efforts to bring new, differentiated offerings to the market.
AirWatchs cloud deployment delivers the scale to support one device to more than 100,000 devices. With quick deployment and minimal effort, there is no significant investment in technology or installation services required by organizations. Maintenance and upgrades are handled by AirWatch with the ability to easily transfer to on-premise deployment at any time.
AirWatch is proud to be distinguished by Cloud Computing Magazine for our industry-leading cloud deployment platform, says John Marshall, CEO, AirWatch. While providing the same functionality through cloud or on-premise deployments, our solution exceeds the individual security requirements through our world-class redundant data centers. As more companies migrate to our affordable cloud solution, we enjoy knowing we provide the pinnacle of enterprise mobility management.
AirWatch has been recognized for their achievement in bringing innovation and excellence to the market while leveraging the latest technology trends to create an enriched user experience, said Erik Linask, Group Editorial Director, TMC.
AirWatchs cloud deployment provides multiple redundant data centers and best-in-class hardware, including Cisco, F5, EMC and Dell. With high availability and a standard Service-level Agreement (SLA) providing solution uptime greater than 99.9 percent, the AirWatch, Atlanta-based Network Operations Center (NOC) provides comprehensive support around the clock.
AirWatch understands the importance of industry standards and follows best practices, including: ISO 27000-series, Payment Card Industry (PCI), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Standards for Attestation Engagements 16 (SSAE-16). Our certifications demonstrate our commitment to preserving the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, while also implementing appropriate security measures and monitoring systems.
Recognizing leaders in the advancement of cloud computing, TMC is proud to announce AirWatch as a recipient of the second annual Cloud Computing Excellence Award, said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. AirWatch has demonstrated innovation as well as the ability to improve the cloud.
Winners of the Cloud Computing Excellence Award are published in the October 2012 issue of Cloud Computing Magazine.
Go here to read the rest:
AirWatch Receives 2012 Cloud Computing Excellence Award
Cloud firm invests in new network
17 October 2012 Last updated at 07:01 ET
Cloud computing firm Iomart is to invest millions of pounds in a new optical fibre network for its six UK data centre locations.
The Glasgow-based company said the move meant it would no longer have to rely on routing customers' connectivity via multiple providers.
Geo Networks Ltd will deliver the network under a 10-year agreement.
Iomart said it would significantly boost its current capacity and national reach.
The new fibre network will provide a 1,860km (1,150 miles) "business critical fibre superhighway" linking Iomart's six data centres in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Maidenhead, Nottingham and Leicester.
The company said connectivity between its Glasgow and London data centres would be four times faster than the current industry average.
Chief executive Angus MacSween said: "We are investing millions of pounds over the next decade to give Iomart one of the fastest and most resilient fibre networks of any cloud computing company in the UK.
"Customers on our network will have the fastest connections allowing them to move huge amounts of data at the highest speeds wherever they are located.
"It allows us to take our network right up to our customers' doors which is of huge benefit to organisations wanting secure, private cloud environments."
Read more here:
Cloud firm invests in new network
Cisco Execs Plumb The Limits Of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has become the all-purpose buzzword of business computing -- it can mean pretty much whatever you want it to mean, but every product better have some cloud in it. Networking giant Cisco has totally bought in to the concept, but a couple of top execs also described what they see as limits on how far pure cloud computing will spread.
In a drab conference room out by Oakland Airport (the company's planned Zeppelin excursion to highlight its cloud product launch was scrubbed by bad weather) Cisco's Murali Sitaram (VP/GM Cloud Collaboration Applications) and Lew Tucker (VP, CTO Cloud Computing) explained the company's approach as they introduced additions to Cisco's Cloudverse family.
Instead of just offering its own products on a hosted basis, Cisco's approach is to work with telecom carriers, large enterprises and resellers to help them offer collaboration-and-communication-as-a-service.
The idea, Sitaram said, is to leverage Cisco's partners to provide services without having to become a carrier itself -- which is a daunting, heavily regulated proposition in many parts of the world. "We don't want to be in the carrier business, but we do want to provide services through partners."
Those services include expanding Ciscos Hosted Collaboration Solution to include TelePresence, Customer Collaboration (contact centers), unified communications and mobility. It also means letting large customers install the company's WebEx online Web conferencing solution in their own data centers.
That may not gibe with most people's definition of cloud computing, but according to Sitaram, many customers still demand more control over their services, either because they're in a highly sensitive industry like the military, health care or financial services, or because they're in emerging markets with restrictive regulations and unreliable public infrastructure.
"It's not easy to deliver cloud-based services" to countries like China, India, Russia and South America, Sitaram said, "especially from the United States." Besides, "the cloud isn't just Facebook and Salesforce," Sitaram added. "If you peel the onion, there are just so many nuances."
Go here to see the original:
Cisco Execs Plumb The Limits Of Cloud Computing
Making a Europe fit for the cloud
While Europe teeters on the brink of financial armageddon, the European Commission (EC) claims that a coherent cloud strategy for the bloc could generate 127bn per year and create 3.8 million jobs.
In its Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe report, the EC suggests that implementing a coherent cloud strategy across the region could cut the operational costs of IT departments for all types of organisations, along with boosting productivity and growth.
According to the report, three key areas need to be addressed in order to enable a workable cloud strategy across Europe.
The first is cutting through the jungle of technical standards. Technology providers currently fight for market share by locking their customers into their service, preventing the adoption of standardised, cross-industry approaches to the cloud. This prevents interoperability, data portability and reversibility (the ability of customers to take data and functions back in-house again), making cross-European cloud implementation difficult. The EC wants to identify methods to implement standardisation of cloud services across Europe by next year, the first step in a process that envisages lasting until 2020.
The report also identifies contractual issues. Cloud contracts are often complex and uncertain, leading to worries over data access and portability. It also suggests that while take-it-or-leave-it contracts might be advantageous for cloud providers, theyre often undesirable for users of the service, with many failing to identify liability in the case of failures due to downtime, for example, or to make clear how service issues will be compensated and resolved.
While EU legislation to protect cloud users is already in place, consumers are often unaware that it exists or how it operates in their own member state. The EC therefore proposes that model terms for cloud computing contracts be developed to standardise best practice, with the IT industry being consulted on a code of conduct for cloud providers. It is hoped an agreement on a code will be reached in 2013.
Reducing market fragmentation
The fragmentation of the digital single market also needs to be addressed before a coherent cloud strategy can be implemented across Europe. Currently, the different national legal frameworks across member states (see below), combined with uncertainties over how digital content and data laws operate when crossing borders, stand in the way of a single European standard.
The theory is that by collaborating on cloud strategy, member states will reduce fragmentation across Europe in areas such as law and digital security, allowing better detection and prevention of cyber-crime.
Thats not to say the strategy is based around a European Super-Cloud, a suggestion the EC is keen to refute. Instead, the aim of the policy is to provide an umbrella organisation. This European Cloud Partnership will bring together industry experts and public-sector agencies such as those responsible for G-Cloud in the UK and Andromede, its equivalent in France in order to help provide a cloud infrastructure that all member states will benefit from. Identifying the key needs of the public sector is seen as a vital issue in successful implementation of an EU cloud strategy.
Read the original post:
Making a Europe fit for the cloud
Aryaka Receives 2012 Cloud Computing Excellence Award
MILPITAS, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 16, 2012) - Aryaka (www.aryaka.com), the leading provider of WAN Optimization as-a-Service to solve application and network performance issues across the distributed enterprise, announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company, has named Aryaka's WAN Optimization as-a-Service solution as a 2012 Cloud Computing Excellence Award winner presented by Cloud Computing Magazine.
"We're honored again to be recognized by Cloud Computing magazine for our industry-leading network and application performance solutions," said Ajit Gupta, Founder, President and CEO of Aryaka. "Aryaka's market-disrupting WAN Optimization as-a-Service ensures fast, reliable access to data and applications for employees around the globe so they can better communicate, collaborate and share applications, large files and data.We're delighted at the rapid market traction we've gained as more companies are migrating to a more affordable and intelligent alternative to specialty WAN optimization appliances and costly WAN services like MPLS. "
In the revolutionary Aryaka model, the intelligence is moved into the global platform comprised of the Aryaka-built WAN optimization software stack that runs on dedicated points of presence (POPs) across various continents, meshed via dedicated links. Aryaka accelerates all applications, both within and outside the enterprise firewall. Enterprises achieve global reach, bandwidth savings, improved application performance, data center-to-data center replication, disaster recovery and optimized access to cloud services.
Aryaka's Network as-a-Service provides enterprise-grade connectivity via a dedicated reliable core network based on globally distributed Points of Presence (POPs). It delivers LAN-like application performance across the WAN without the high cost of MPLS in a single, no CAPEX monthly service. Enterprise locations connect into the Aryaka network with IPSec across an existing Internet link to one or more of Aryaka's POPs and are upand running in minutes, not in the weeks or months required to provision MPLS.
"Aryaka has been recognized for their achievement in bringing innovation and excellence in the market while leveraging the latest technology trends to create an enriched user experience," said Erik Linask, Group Editorial Director, TMC.
"Recognizing leaders in the advancement of cloud computing, TMC is proud to announce Aryaka as a recipient of the second annual Cloud Computing Excellence Award," said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. "Aryaka's solutions -- WAN optimization as-a-Service and Network as-a-Service -- have demonstrated innovation as well as the ability to improve the cloud."
The Cloud Computing Excellence Awards recognized the companies that have most effectively leveraged cloud computing in their efforts to bring new, differentiated offerings to market.
Winners of the Cloud Computing Excellence Award are published in the October 2012 issue of Cloud Computing Magazine.
About Aryaka Aryaka delivers application and network performance for the globally distributed enterprise for better collaboration, communication and business productivity.Aryaka eliminates the need for costly WAN appliances or long-haul private links. Aryaka's premier WAN Optimization as-a-Service accelerates any application to any location on one affordable, optimized network. Aryaka's Network as-a-Service provides organizations an optimized TCP network with QoS for instant and reliable business connectivity. Both services provide elastic bandwidth capacity and 247 world-class support. To learn more, visit http://www.aryaka.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Aryaka, WAN optimization as-a-Service, Network as-a-Service, Application Delivery as-a-Service and MyAryaka are trademarks of Aryaka Networks, Inc. All other brands, products or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Go here to read the rest:
Aryaka Receives 2012 Cloud Computing Excellence Award
How to get your first cloud computing job
David Linthicum | Oct. 15, 2012
With the explosion of cloud computing jobs, now is the time to map your path to more money and more cloud
Cloud computing is expanding rapidly, with an accompanying need for for cloud computing "experts" to make this technology work. That translates into many new jobs chasing very few qualified candidates. At the same time, many IT professionals are attempting to figure out how they can cash in on the cloud.
Most of the cloud jobs to be found these days require deep knowledge around a particular technology, such as Amazon Web Services, OpenStack, Salesforce.com, or Azure. This is typically due to the fact that the company has standardized on a cloud technology. I call these jobs cloud technology specialists, in that they focus on a specific cloud technology: development, implementation, management, and so on.
Others jobs would be cloud planning or architecture positions, often around the configuration of new systems in the cloud or the migration of existing systems to the cloud. I call these cloud planners. While you'd think candidates for this position would also be in demand, in most instances the listings are filled by existing IT staffers who understand full well that having cloud computing experience on their CV translates into larger paychecks going forward. You can't blame them.
Those looking to break into cloud computing will have the best luck by learning a specific technology, then taking a cloud technology specialist job. The trick is getting the initial experience.
The most ambitious candidates will begin their own "shadow IT" projects using a hot cloud computing technology, then soon find their way to a formal and high-paying cloud gig. Cloud computing is littered with stories about self-taught successes, due to the lack of formal training offered.
Those seeking higher-level jobs such as cloud planners and architects won't entertain as many options, but they can be found. The best way to prepare for these jobs is to understand all you can about the technology, including use cases and existing architectural best practices and approaches.
If there's an upside to the emergence of cloud computing, it's the number of job opportunities it's creating, much like any hyped technology trend we've seen in the past. Cloud computing, however, is a further-reaching, more systemic change in the way we consume technology. Thus, the job growth around this change will last for many years. Perhaps it's time to take advantage.
Read the original:
How to get your first cloud computing job
DreamHost Adds Public Cloud Computing Service: DreamCompute
A Scalable, Resilient, and Secure OpenStack Powered Cloud for Entrepreneurs and Developers
LOS ANGELES, CA DreamHost, a global leader in Web hosting and cloud services, today announced DreamCompute, a highly scalable and cost-effective cloud computing platform for Internet entrepreneurs and developers. Using DreamComputes open source infrastructure-as-a-service platform that is Powered by OpenStack, customers can create and prosper in the cloud, powering Web and mobile applications, digital media and e-commerce Web sites, big data analytics, and test and development environments.
DreamCompute is an exciting new edition to DreamHosts growing portfolio of services, which include shared, virtual private, and dedicated Web hosting, as well as cloud object storage with DreamObjects. DreamHost sets itself apart from the cloud crowd by developing innovative and flexible Web and cloud services using open source software. Evolving new cloud capabilities are constantly created, dynamically deployed, and expertly supported. DreamCompute is engineered for scale and efficiency using best-of-breed open source solutions, including the OpenStack cloud platform, scalable Ceph block storage, and Nicira network virtualization. As a champion of the open source community, DreamHost makes major code contributions to open source projects for example, by working to integrate Ceph into OpenStack.
The newly launched DreamCompute cloud service is highly scalable, quick to provision, resilient, and secure. It is ready to go for any size workload with compute instances from 1GB to 64GB RAM for ultimate scalability. All of this power comes with no capital outlay or a lengthy procurement approval process; it can be billed to a credit card, making it easy to expense. Pricing for the services will be released publicly in the coming weeks and, in the tradition of DreamHost, will be very attractive to Internet entrepreneurs and developers. In addition, DreamCompute customers will benefit from DreamHosts long-standing focus on industry-leading customer support.
DreamCompute block storage is powered by Ceph, the open source, massively scalable, distributed storage software created by Sage Weil, founder of DreamHost. Ceph is now developed and supported by Inktank and a growing community of developers worldwide. The software is capable of auto-scaling to the exabyte level and beyond, it runs on off-the-shelf hardware, it is self-healing and self-managing, and it has no single point of failure.
DreamCompute works seamlessly with DreamObjects, DreamHosts low cost, object-based public storage service based on Ceph. Both DreamCompute and DreamObjects leverage advanced Ceph technology, which is highly scalable and reliable, cost effective, and fully open source. DreamHost customers can now both process and store virtually limitless data in their quest to write and test web-scale applications.
DreamCompute has been engineered from the operating system up to deliver the next generation cloud compute service that developers are craving, said Simon Anderson, CEO of DreamHost. With OpenStack virtual machine management, reliable and resilient Ceph block storage, and software-defined networking that truly isolates each instance in the infrastructure, DreamCompute sets a new standard for compute-as-a-service. Were very proud to be a part of delivering the future of the open and scalable cloud.
More here:
DreamHost Adds Public Cloud Computing Service: DreamCompute