Tag Archives: SaaS

Stop Being Confused

Posted on May 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

Speaking with a co-worker the other day prompted some reflection around the cloud computing market. There’s been a significant shift in the coverage of cloud related news. The story lines used to lead with confusion – what is this thing? How do we define it? Or as I’ve heard MR Rangawami say, ‘Is it SaaS with lipstick?’

 

SaaS With Lipstick

SaaS With Lipstick

 

No one can agree. And no one interview or conference will ever resolve this burning question. It might not be tidy, but it’s fact. 

Instead of attempting to define cloud computing we should instead focus on the value proposition, which almost everyone can agree on. The common demoninator in all cloud solutions / platforms / applications is two fold.

1. You use someone else’s gear.

2. You use someone else’s people.

Voila! Just to get some perspective on how much has changed, I want to post this hilarious Larry Ellison quote from September 2008. 

“The interesting thing about cloud computing is that we’ve redefined cloud computing to include everything that we already do. I can’t think of anything that isn’t cloud computing with all of these announcements. The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women’s fashion. Maybe I’m an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it? It’s complete gibberish. It’s insane. When is this idiocy going to stop?

Tee hee. 

 

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Posted in cloud computing, Conferences

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Cloud vs. SaaS

Posted on July 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

I’m not one to re-purpose content, but Jeff Kaplan’s post on the difference between cloud computing and software-as-a-service deserves highlighting.

In my case, I view cloud computing as a broad array of web-based services aimed at allowing users to obtain a wide range of functional capabilities on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis that previously required tremendous hardware/software investments and professional skills to acquire. Cloud computing is the realization of the earlier ideals of utility computing without the technical complexities or complicated deployment worries. With this precept in mind, I see SaaS as a subset or segment of the cloud computing market.

I like this analogy a lot.

Both journalists and ISVs alike have muddled the two terms – and understandably so. There’s been a surge of interest in the market and this ‘gold rush’ mentality has caused some confusion over their definitions.

Per Jeff’s reccomentadtion, vendors should be careful about the language they use, so as not to mislead their customers.

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So Cool.

Posted on May 12, 2008 | Leave a comment

Motives are silly things. Do they always have to matter? I suppose it depends on what the product or goal of your motivation results in. If it’s for the greater good, I doubt it matters how you arrived there – just that you’re there.

Here is my point: lately it seems that being eco-conscious is cool. If you can put a green spin on an idea, it becomes much more attractive. Are you going to buy some groceries? BYO Tote! Are you commuting to work? Ride your bike!

For the record, I do care about the environment. But I also am a touch cynical when I see these trends emerging. On the flip-side, if folks need to think being green is en vogue in order to start making changes, I’m all for it. Look what Lance Armstrong and his yellow bracelets did – he made charity fashionable. Genius! I’m willing to swallow my sarcastic remarks and feel happy that this green epidemic is taking over.

Cashing in on trends is just smart marketing. The green wave is not the only movement sweeping the globe. Don’t things seem so much cooler when you can ’2.0-ify’ them? Oh man.

And what if you could classify something as both 2.0 and green? My God that is brilliant. Someone should really think about how to position themselves as ‘Green 2.0′. Actually – it appears that Software-as-a Service ( SaaS) has done just that.

Traditional software relies on energy inefficient, draining and cumbersome hardware. And as technology progresses (which it will do – forever), out-dated pieces of hardware are difficult to recycle. By comparison, SaaS reduces those pesky carbon dioxide emissions, and there’s no new gadget to purchase. The web delivers the software to you without effort.

Centralized SaaS data centers also minimize waste. Instead of individuals operating individual data centers, a large communal SaaS data center is more efficient, leaner and greener.

SaaS is so cool.

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