Living in the Clouds
By AZAM on March 2, 2008The idea of cloud computing is nothing new, and many have described the catch phase or paraphrased the notion in a number of ways. The evolution of networks would lead to concept of ether and the web cloud in the understanding of data communications. The Ethernet was in vocabulary in the early days of networks, and as the Internet became widely used with web hosted information and applications to be commonly accessed by users. Email was the basic killer app on the webs that lead to widespread adoption and evolved further into the use of chat clients and IP telephony applications would only expand communication and messaging. Earlier, Oracle and SUN would expound the end on the PC and based the future on the network with concept of thin client that would s application in the server client model.
Microsoft has their version of web services that would be called .net architecture and com technologies. Currently, the clouds are forementing a major storm and ushering a new era of Internet where a larger number of applications will seamlessly called for, process, and manipulate information from a number of wide and various sources.
Netscape launched the web browser Netscape Navigator based on the Mosaic Browser Marc Andreessen developed as a student. The Netscape browser lives on with the Mozilla Foundation and their work with Firefox. The Browser launched the Internet in an easy to use UI browser that allowed users to view websites and gained easy access to early web applications such as web email. After a long battle in browser wars with Microsoft, Netscape was acquired by AOL. Marc founded 2 companies based on the future architecture of the web Opsware and Ning. Clearly, Marc was betting the future of the cloud.
The same efforts that Microsoft need to address the threat of the browser as the new operating system is still very much valid. The implications for Miscrosoft impacts both the personal and commercial applications that Microsoft dominated in. Both markets (personal & corporate) have taken time to develop for Cloud computing to evolve and develop into the market adoption and widespread penetration .
The newer version is software as a service (SaaS) replaces the client server model that has dominated the enterprise. As users are more familiar with the internet and services provided online will naturally moved toward a greater use in a number of environments. More and more enterprises find it easier to manage disparate users in this fashion and able to seamlessly migrate and upgrade applications across the platform. Salesforce has proven the model SaaS (Software as a Service) is quite scalable and efficient, and powerful platform to leverage an increasing number of applications. Competitors to Salesforce have taken note and have taken steps to replicate the success such as Oracle/Siebel and SAP. NetSuite is another company that has used the SaaS to launch application targeted at the enterprise.
Sun has been active on the personal productivity level with Open Office working to change the way user access applications. Sun has been a long time supporter of open source solutions in their environment the OS to Java, Sun has seen the light at the end of the tunnel a long time ago. The business model of Sun is to provide the equipment to run the systems on open systems. SUN may have been forced to think of open due to its completion from IBM, HP, to Microsoft. In the end, SUN is making its future on open environment in order to stay competitive. IBM itself has spent heavily on LINUX which has benefited both communities. In the end, Microsoft is coming onto the stage and deciding to open up more.
Microsoft by considering an acquisition of Yahoo would signal a major change into open system by default. Yahoo by designed is open and have acquired companies based on such architecture such as Zimbra an online email client. The internet and major players themselves are based on open architectures such as Yahoo, Google, and facebook as new social networking sites. The simple fact is more open systems are growing in a way that previously closed systems cannot ignore.
For example, Microsoft Office Suite is probably the best personal application suite available with all bells and whistles, but is quite difficult to access from many points if the document resides on the desktop or laptop that is inaccessible physically at a moment of need.
The beauty of Google Docs is that you can easily access your document anywhere you have access to the internet as simple web email.
Also, the applications developed to day take advantage of open architectures and have the ability to integrate data of overlaying information into even more useful applications. An example would be zimbra ability to integrate mails, contacts, and calendar for more advance use of messaging and collaboration. Another simple example, Google maps allow you to mash up various data on their maps. Lindken open architecture allows you to manipulate and see more of your connections in a number of interesting ways. The number of applications and ability to mix them in an increasing number of ways is multiplier benefit effect on any simple, single application and makes closed systems at a disadvantage.
The cloud is changing how newer generation is accessing the web and their personal application. This can be particularly interesting in the third world or the next billion that come onto the web. Most will have their first experience on the web on a mobile device. Most will not have a desktop or laptop access in their home due to cost and infrastructure restraints. Most will likely have intermediate access to the web form time to time. The user will benefit from have this web application being pulled from the cloud to have their personal items stored for access and communication. A user could easily learn, gain skill, and create on the web to increase their productivity and seek opportunities. Some examples are Babajobs that uses social networking to employ semi skilled workers on the web, giving them a chance to connect to potential employers that they would normally never have.
Cloudo and Jooce are working on webOS which is acts like a virtualization of the desktop with host of application for use and sharing. Companies are being forced to change how they view the web and application are used and accessed. Microsoft recently announced of becoming more open in their application for greater integration with other developers and applications. Bill Gates personally demoed Xobni which was incubated in the Start Up Accelerator program on the highlighting the company efforts with Outlook and future of Cloud Computing. The Cloud is becoming a more import space for accessing the web and applications, and will change the future of the manner we access and use the web.
Categories : Tech
Tags : , Cloud Computing, Google, Microsoft, SaaS