So what exactly is cloud computing? On Demand Group sat down with Paul Veeneman, chief technology engineer, Hawkins, Inc. to discuss why companies and IT folks need to be aware and have an understanding of cloud computing.

“Cloud computing has been around since the late 80s/early 90s. And all the while, there have been a variety of definitions across the board,” Veeneman said. “Basically, cloud computing is the ability to distribute applications and services from a common distribution point, where the consumer doesn’t have to worry about connectivity or architecture (storage, power, etc).”

Cloud computing consists of the following “layers”:

• Physical Layer – data center, storage
• Network/Connectivity – leasing specific bandwidth
• Storage – Google email with APIs you install
• Platform – entire application platform (such as Ruby on Rails, Google Apps)
• Software – Google apps, Salesforce.com, CRM. Essentially, providing end consumers with capacity to run business
• Client Layer – means of connectivity to cloud

Despite all the benefits that cloud computing brings to the table, there are a number of concerns. Most notable – security. As you begin to rely on a space that’s a) you can’t physically see and b) you don’t have direct control, per se, the issue of ownership and ensuring a safe and sound network remains atop executive’s minds. Right now, security lies in the hands of the consumer (entity purchases service) as opposed to the entity providing the service.

“Essentially, the same security problems and procedures that exist in the traditional model apply to cloud computing,” Veeneman said. “The only difference is that data exists somewhere else. Businesses need to ensure they understand who they are doing business with, what they’re signing up for. All of this needs to be laid out in the service agreement, thus eliminating any chance of error.”

As cloud computing continues to gain traction in the business space, it’s essential that businesses understand what they are getting into and if/how it can improve efficiency and processes. One measure the must be evaluated is cost vs. availability. A strategic analysis of what level of staff and support a business is comfortable with and what type of business model is most important needs to be conducted prior to entry into the cloud computing space.

“I think we’re going to see a subtle but continual shift toward cloud computing. It won’t be as explosive as the Internet adoption was,” Veeneman said. “A business really needs to do a discovery match of their current services compared to those services within the cloud space. Do they want a cloud that’s private, public or shared? All of this is critical in the adoption process, if that’s the best route.”

Side note – Mr. Veeneman shared an example of cloud computing and the possibilities it presents for businesses that I thought painted a great picture:

“Take Apple & iTunes, for example,” Veeneman said. “Imagine having your iPod, downloading a song and not having it physically stored on your device. You know it’s being stored somewhere, you can access it whenever you want, but you don’t know where it’s being stored. Imagine the possibilities in terms of storage, transferring files and how you access and share that information. No longer would you have to worry about the size of your iPod. The only thing that matters is the ability to connect to the clouds. It opens up the device to be so much more powerful.”

The future is definitely “up in the clouds” in terms of how businesses and consumers store and access data.

IBM’s offering is slightly less expensive than Google’s ($36 vs $50/year/user), but Google’s suite of applications offers 25 times more storage.

Google has a head start in gaining users and a lot of clout in the cloud-competing arena. However, IBM has many business connections that started many years before Google was even around.

What do you think? Will new media expertise or old guard connections be the determining factor in who comes out ahead in the cloud computing game?

(via Startribune.com)

Though the 4% growth in IT spending predicted by Goldman Sachs analyst David Bailey isn’t as dramatic as the double digit increases in online advertising and e-commerce, it is encouraging news for the IT industry.

(via Business Insider: Silicon Alley Insider)

Marissa Miller, Google Vice President of Search Product and User Experience, speaks at the 2009 TechCrunch50 conference. This year's conference was more focused on small changes by market leaders like Google than ambitious ideas by startup companies.

Caroline McCarthy says ,”Innovation on the Web these days comes in the form of fine-tuned features and tweaks, not big and lofty new schemes. TechCrunch50′s lineup showed that while there are very promising ideas out there, the new stuff is about improving existing concepts, not creating something off-the-wall new.”

This is reminiscent of the Hype Cycle used by Garter Inc., a leading technology research and advisory company. In this view of the lifecyle of technologies the “peak of inflated expectations” where unrealistic hype drives a large interest in a technology,  is followed by the “trough of disillusionment”, a “slope of enlightenment” and a “plateau of productivity”.  Where are social media tools in this cycle? Does this newfound sensibility by industry insiders mean that we are entering the trough of disillusionment where the media backs off of coverage a technology? What ways do you see Web 2.0 climbing the slope of enlightenment?

What do you think? What new kinds of positions are going to be created? Will more people work as freelancers and consultants? Where do you see the biggest changes in the IT job market in coming years?

There are lots of ways IT professionals can contribute to making the Web a better place including:

• Posting about OneWebDay and/or Web issues on your personal blog
• Helping someone learn how to use the Web (or to use the Web better)
• Contributing to an open source software project
• Donating time and IT skills to a non-profit to increase their Web presence

The OneWebDay website has a lot more great information about the event and how to get involved.

Don’t get me wrong, I think this will be an excellent OS as its features and speed will far surpass anything they have done since XP. I just don’t recommend taking the time to install it yet. I’ll test the next release candidate and give you my opinon but hope to save a few of you from a massive headache of reinstalling your previous OS…like I did.

Congratulations Heather, we are super proud of you and value how well you represent our great company!

A lot of companies that I have worked for or even just talked with in the past have always preached about their ability to build relationships.  While in some cases those companies were practicing the art of relationship building, very few of them were consistent enough to make a real difference to their business.  Most of these companies did not see immediate results from networking or taking the time to truly understand their client’s needs – instead jumping right to a hard-sell.

I guess I see it slightly different.  I believe we are human first, business professionals second.  What is going to set you apart is your ability to relate to someone – to have a baseline understanding on what interests another person, their goals and objectives, etc., etc.  I know it sounds really touchy-feely, and it kind of is – but nine times out of ten, it is not only what helps you do business, but helps you do business longer and more successfully.

Sure, the occasional round of golf or lunch at a fancy restaurant is fine and dandy, but in the end, just be genuine and real.  I think in many ways, social networking and the online tools to support that has really helped business people become real again.  I know that thanks to those tools, my results have increased ten-fold, if not more, over the last couple of years.

At On-Demand Group, I really feel that sense of real relationship building.  And I am not just saying that at all.  In fact, I even believe that this way of doing business is closely revealed in their values as a company.  Coming in here about two months ago I noticed that Heather and Sean understood the power and know that the long-term relationships come from good relationship building.  After all, they are turning ODG into a great company, and I sensed that when I came in.  So I like being here because they see the bigger picture.  It is refreshing, and I know that as frustrated as I might get sometimes from not being able to close the deals I want as fast as I want, I know that the connections I make here at On-Demand Group will have a big return in the near future.

Robert Stanke

Account Manager @ On-Demand Group

In the meantime, have you seen the new changes to our website?  You should check it out and see some of the cool Web 2.0 functions we have added.  The site can be found at: http://ondemandgroup.com.

Finallay, check out our new On-Demand Group Flickr photos!

Robert Stanke (robert@ondemandgroup.com)

Account Manager @ondemandgroup