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The Cloud Computing Showplace Update
THINKstrategies' Perspectives About the Business Implications of Today's SaaS, PaaS and IaaS Trends |
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Welcome to Our August Update
The last few weeks of summer in New England are usually pretty quiet as people try to take advantage of the remaining days of warm, relaxing weather before returning to work or school and Fall's colder climate. The end of this summer will be remembered instead for its major earthquake, hurricane, Cloud company acquisitions and industry conferences.
The Cloud Computing movement is disrupting traditional IT and business models in the same way that the recent earthquake and hurricane shook up the Northeast Corridor. Organizations of all sizes, across nearly every industry are no longer asking what the Cloud is or why they should consider it. Instead, they are determining where, when and how to take advantage of a widening array of Cloud alternatives to on-premise systems and legacy software.
The Cloud Showplace gives THINKstrategies a unique perspective regarding how the Cloud industry and marketplace are evolving. The Showplace includes over 1760 companies listed in over 90 Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) categories. We are not only seeing how Cloud solutions are penetrating nearly every segment of the marketplace and aspect of business operations, but how the IT and software acquisition process is changing.
In response to these trends, THINKstrategies believes that Cloud Computing is fundamentally changing the way IT and business applications will be distributed. That is why we have teamed with Rising Tide Media to host the Cloud Channel Summit at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA, on November 7. You can read more about this important event below.
The Cloud Showplace is also a convenient place to discover interesting new Cloud companies which are continuously adding their company information to the online directory. You can find real-time updates on the Showplace homepage or get our alerts via Twitter.
You can find some of our most recent commentaries regarding the rapidly evolving Cloud marketplace in the column to the left and upcoming events below.
Over 1600 people are following THINKstrategies and the Cloud Showplace on Twitter, and more than 13,700 people subscribe to this newsletter. In addition, you can keep up with the latest Cloud news via THINKstrategies' SaaS/Cloud Daily update, powered by Paper.li.
THINKstrategies also continues to advise and educate corporate decision-makers, solution providers, investors, press and others about the business implications opportunities and challenges created by the Cloud Computing movement. Contact me if you'd like to learn how THINKstrategies can help you assess the impact of the Cloud on your business objectives.
We can also learn below about Cloud Computing companies that are delivering measurable business benefits to their users through our ongoing Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) and Cloud Computing Business Value (CCBV) Award programs. Contact me if you'd like to determine if your Cloud company qualifies for these awards.
This Update provides information below about upcoming industry events.
I'd like to thank Aternity for becoming our latest sponsor of the Cloud Showplace. Other recent sponsors are listed in the left column of this newsletter. Please visit their websites to learn more about their solutions.
I hope you find the new Cloud Showplace and this newsletter of value. Contact me if you would like to learn about how your organization can become a Cloud Showplace sponsor or take advantage of THINKstrategies' other services to capitalize on today's Cloud market opportunities.
Thanks for your continued support.
Best regards,
Jeff Kaplan
Managing Director
THINKstrategies, Inc.
Cloud Computing Showplace
Twitter:@thinkstrategies |
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THINKstrategies Announces Cloud Channel Summit
 Now that the concept of Cloud Computing has gained broad-based attention and growing acceptance, it is essential for Cloud vendors to establish an ecosystem of third-party channel relationships to build on their initial momentum and serve the unique needs of specific market segments.
THINKstrategies and the Cloud Showplace are teaming with Rising Tide Media to host a full-day forum which will give senior business development and strategic alliance executives from leading Cloud vendors and channel companies an opportunity to discuss industry best practices for building successful partnerships in the Cloud.
The Cloud Channel Summit will take place on Monday, November 7 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.
The SIIA has announced its support of the Summit. Read more...
Stephen Cho, Google's Director of Enterprise Channel Programs, will kick off the Summit. Click here to read about his keynote address and to learn how you can apply for a speaking role at the Summit.
AppDirect, Agilis Solutions and Scribe Software are the first to sponsor the event. Read more here... |
Cloud Channel Strategies at a Crossroads
The rapid growth of the Cloud Computing market is attracting a proliferation of players, ranging from startups and service providers to a widening array of major hardware and software vendors.
Building successful channel programs in the Cloud is different than in the old world of IT and applications because the sales and support processes for Cloud solutions is different.
Click here to read THINKstrategies' views about today's channel opportunities and challenges in the Cloud. Click here to gain more of insights about the rapidly evolving Cloud market.
Contact us if you'd like to learn how THINKstrategies can help your organization assess its Cloud strategies and achieve its business objectives via the Cloud. |
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How HP's New Software Strategy May Overlook a Key Channel in the Cloud
HP recently announced a major shift its its corporate strategy which will result in the company divesting its Personal Systems Group (PSG) so it can focus on expanding its enterprise software business.
THINKstrategies believes HP's new strategy may result in the company losing an important channel to market in the Cloud -- the end user. Click here to read our point of view about HP's new direction.
Click here to find more commentaries about the changing Cloud landscape.
Contact us to learn how your organization can leverage THINKstrategies' perspectives and services to address your channel challenges and capitalize on today's market opportunities in the Cloud. |
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Industry Research
THINKstrategies and the Cloud Computing Showplace are pleased to be supporting Grant Thornton LLP's latest SaaS industry survey - The Value of Compliance - which seeks to understand why many SaaS providers do not use industry-recognized quality and control standards, particularly when those standards are known to improve operational performance, reliability and potential profitability of their solutions.
According to Grant Thornton's previous survey of the SaaS sector (Assessing and Managing SaaS Risk), nearly two-thirds of SaaS providers believed that the industry needed to improve its credibility. Yet, the survey revealed limited use of quality and control standards by SaaS companies that touch upon the issue of credibility - standards developed by organizations such as ISO, NIST, PCI, and FISMA. The survey also found the limited use of external reporting standards such as SOC 1 (formerly SAS 70), SOC 3 (formerly WebTrust or SysTrust) reports, and others.
Grant Thornton's current survey allows decision-makers within SaaS companies the opportunity to weigh in on these issues. Grant Thornton will provide a copy its survey report to participants, and give them an opportunity to discuss the report findings in detail with a member of Grant Thornton's SaaS team. Click here to complete this survey.
SoftLetter is also conducting its fifth annual SaaS Benchmark Study and is inviting companies offering SaaS solutions to participate. As in years past, the SoftLetter study will look at a wide array of operating elements which represent key performance indicators (KPIs) for successful SaaS vendors. Companies participating in the Benchmark study will receive the complete summary results of the survey findings. So, click here to complete this survey.
Thanks for your participation in these valuable research projects. |
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Latest Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) and Cloud Computing Business Value (CCBV) Award Winners
THINKstrategies and the Cloud Showplace continue to recognize SaaS, PaaS and IaaS providers that are delivering measurable business benefits to their customers through our Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) and Cloud Computing Business Value (CCBV) Award programs.
Congratulations to BMC RemedyForce Service Desk which is the most recent winner of a BoSS Award. Read more here.
Click here to read more about the Cloud Showplace Award programs, other winners, and the rules for applying and winning a BoSS or CCBV Award. |
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Upcoming Events
THINKstrategies is participating in and supporting a broad series of industry and corporate events focused on the business implications of the Cloud, including this week's Dreamforce conference.
We are also pleased to be hosting the Cloud Channel Summit, on Monday, November 7, in Mountain View, CA.
Here are other important industry events which should be on your calendar:
- Managing Web Content in the Cloud with Drupal, a webinar hosted by Acquia on Tuesday, September 8 at 1pm EDT.
- Telecom Cloud Services Asia, September 26 - 29, Hong Kong.
- Cloud Computing World Forum Latin America, September 28, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Cloud Computing World Forum India, October 12, Mumbai.
- Cloud Computing for Financial Services and Insurance Industry Summit on October 25-26, New York City.Friends of THINKstrategies can receive $200 off the conference registration rate by using Promo Code NHB973.
- All About Mobile, hosted by the SIIA on November 15, San Francisco, CA. Friends of the Cloud Showplace can take advantage of a special $100 discount by entering promotional code PRMCCS when you register online. You'll save even more with early-bird rates through October 10. (Note: this discount is valid off the individual SIIA non-member rate only and does not apply to current attendees.)
- Cloud Security Alliance Congress, November 16-17, Disney Yacht & Beach Club, Orlando, FL.
- 2nd Annual Cloud Computing World Forum - Asia, November 30 - December 1, Hong Kong.
Contact us if you'd like to learn how your organization can include our perspective and gain our promotional support for your upcoming event. |
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Showplace Sponsorship Opportunities
The Cloud Computing Showplace is the largest online directory and best practices resource center in the industry with nearly 1800 companies divided by application, serice and industry across over 90 SaaS, PaaS and IaaS categories. Or, contact us if you'd like to discuss specific ways we can help you achieve your marketing objectives in 2011.
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About THINKstrategies
THINKstrategies, Inc. is the only independent, strategic consulting services company focused entirely on helping its clients capitalize on the business implications of the rapidly evolving Cloud Computing marketplace. THINKstrategies helps clients develop, deploy and promote their Cloud strategies and solutions. We provide strategic consulting, educational and marketing services aimed at helping our clients better understand and position themselves in the Cloud Computing landscape. Contact us if you'd like to learn more about how your organization can leverage THINKstrategies' unique services and the Cloud Computing Showplace. |
Stay Informed
In addition to offering our monthly Cloud Computing Showplace Update newsletter, THINKstrategies has launched a new Twitter-powered daily update regarding the latest articles and analysis regarding Saas and Cloud Computing trends and developments. Click here to see and subscribe to our daily newsletter powered by Paper.li.
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