Reviewing Top Cloud & Integration Stories in January
Posted by Shiva on February 4, 2011
With the new year well under way, we want to take a moment to review what top stories and editorials grabbed our attention in January around cloud computing and B2B integration. This past month, as is typical with a new year, was filled with a look back at 2010 accomplishments and predictions of what 2011 will bring. There were three key prediction or trend pieces that stood out for us.
First, everyone is expecting cloud computing to take a huge step forward in 2011. Vendors and analysts alike are expecting increased acceptance and utilization of cloud solutions. No longer will companies question whether to adopt the cloud but the best way to actually implement the cloud. For example, Judith Hurwitz, President and CEO of Hurwitz & Associates, Inc., a strategy consulting and research firm, noted in her blog that companies in 2011 are ready to start competing in real time with the cloud. “Best practices will emerge as a major issue for customers that see the cloud as a way to boost innovation and the rate of change”. Finding the best way to apply the cloud to each business will be vital.
Second, cloud security will continue to be a top priority in 2011, after taking center stage last year. One shift is cloud security will be more of a community responsibility, with vendors working together on the issue, and customers starting to take more responsibility as they understand more about cloud-based technologies. In a blog by Hubspan’s Margaret Dawson, she discusses how the vendor community will be increasingly collaborating on cloud security this year. On a similar note, Forrester’s James Staten, a leading cloud analyst, explained how “cloud security is a shared responsibility and will improve and evolve as a result of the combined efforts”. Everyone must come together in order to advance cloud security.
Lastly, partnering will be the key to success. As EDI VANS evolve at an exponential rate, people are no longer merely exchanging documents, but actually looking to collaborate with their external communities. Those who have already adopted the cloud are realizing that aside from delivering IT functionality at a lower cost, the cloud is giving them the opportunity to expand their business through collaboration. Loraine Lawson from ITBusinessEdge discussed this concept in an interview with Margret Dawson on how the cloud is allowing people to work “across the borders of an enterprise in a multi-enterprise way”. In order to see tremendous success, a company must collaborate not only within, but also with their vast community networks.
Cloud computing and B2B integration have high expectations to meet in 2011. However, with an understanding of the changing environment and working with the community around the cloud we can ensure that adoption, implementation and success in both are easily accomplished.
Tags: B2B Integration, Cloud Computing, Cloud Security, Cloud-based Integration
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