Each time MSPmentor blogs about Amazon Web Services (AWS), I hear from readers who want practical, real-world examples of AWS in action. The big question: How can MSPs potentially leverage Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2)? The answer: Check out what Travis Austin is working on over at MSPintegrations.
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MSPintegrations: Managed Services Meet Amazon Cloud
Posted July 26th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Amazon S3 Gains Better Support For Less Redundancy
Posted July 15th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Back in May, I mentioned Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) decision to offer an option for less redundancy on their Amazon S3 storage cloud. I found the move perplexing. Well, Amazon S3 now gets enhanced Reduced Redundancy Storage (RRS) support, but it leaves me even more confused who it’s for. Here’s the scoop.
Amazon Cloud: SQS Gets Free Tier, Longer Retention
Posted July 2nd, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
If you’re developing cloud applications, now could be the time to take a look at Amazon Simple Queue Service: Amazon Web Services has announced that the first 100,000 SQS requests per month are now free. Better yet, they’ve amped up the message size limit and how long it can be retained in the cloud. Here’s the scoop.
Eucalyptus Private Cloud Adds Windows VM Support
Posted June 17th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Eucalyptus Private Cloud, the Amazon EC2-compatible, open-source platform, has hit version 2.0 with an update that adds support for Microsoft Windows VMs, along with user group management tools designed to make it more attractive as a scalable enterprise solution. So where do MSPs potentially fit in? Here’s the lowdown.
Ingram Micro Cloud Summit: Top 10 Highlights
Posted June 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The Ingram Micro Cloud Summit is wrapping up in Dallas today. Roughly 250 VARs and managed services providers attended the conference. So what were the key takeaways? And better yet… what rumors surfaced behind the scenes? Here are some observations from MSPmentor.
Ingram Micro Talks Cloud With Amazon, Rackspace, Salesforce.com
Posted June 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The rumors were true: Ingram Micro is developing cloud-centric business relationships with Amazon.com, Rackspace Hosting, Salesforce.com and several other heavy hitters. The relationships are linked to Ingram Micro’s new Cloud Conduit initiative. Here are details about the moves, and the potential implications for managed services providers (MSPs) and VARs.
Kaseya: SaaS Launch Date and Symantec Discussions?
Posted June 2nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Kaseya is preparing to launch two new versions of its Kaseya 2 managed services platform. The efforts include an entry-level on-premises offering code-named G1, plus a SaaS approach that’s set to launch July 1. At the same time, Kaseya is in discussions with Symantec and several other software companies that may plug into the K2 managed services platform. Here are the details.
Amazon Web Services Gets Less Redundant
Posted May 20th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
One day, Amazon Web Services announces that it’s adding additional redundancy to its services. A few days later, Amazon announces they’re giving users of their Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) cloud storage solution the option for less redundancy as a cost-saving measure. I don’t know what to think. Here are the facts of the matter, and you can decide for yourself.
Amazon Web Services Get Redundant
Posted May 18th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
They’re not in direct competition — yet — but Google is no longer the only A-list cloud services provider with disaster recovery and failover. To wit, Amazon Web Services has launched Multi-Availability Zone (Multi-AZ) deployments for Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS), giving users redundant cloud backups. Here’s the scoop.
Cloud.com Launches Scalable IaaS For MSPs
Posted May 4th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Eucalyptus isn’t the only open source cloud platform in town anymore: Cloud.com, formerly VMops, has come out of an 18 month-long hibernation to launch CloudStack, their infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solution designed to let MSPs integrate their cloud offerings with existing initiatives. Here’s the scoop.
IBM Acquires Cloud Integrator Cast Iron Systems
Posted May 4th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
IBM has expanded its SaaS portfolio even further with the acquisition of cloud integration service provider Cast Iron Systems. IBM’s goal is to make it easier for customers to move from legacy systems to a hybrid cloud model. Here are some perspectives.
Europe: Hints of Managed Services Expansion
Posted April 30th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
For the most part, many of the major MSP software providers are doing business in Europe. Now there are signs that those efforts are expanding. The latest examples involve ConnectWise getting its first French partner and N-able signing a Swedish distribution agreement. Here’s a quick look at the news…
CloudBerry Explorer: Amazon S3 Management Made Simple
Posted April 19th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
For such a powerful cloud storage platform, Amazon S3 management can be a pain in the rear. Enter CloudBerry Lab, and their newly released CloudBerry Explorer v2.0, a Windows application that allows users to manage files in Amazon’s cloud as they do on their local computers. Better still, it’s compatible with open-source cloud platform Eucalyptus too. Here are some emerging details.
McAfee Launches Cloud Secure
Posted March 16th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
In an effort to allay fears about the security and privacy of the cloud, McAfee today launches Cloud Secure, an auditing and certification program to help software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers promote their commitment to secure computing. Interested? Amazon Web Services is.
AppsOnCommand: Windows Apps Meet SaaS
Posted March 10th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Not every MSP can leverage the Google Apps Marketplace, and not every solutions provider has cloud applications ready to go. Enter AppsOnCommand, a new white label solution that lets you host any application and deliver it as software as a service (SaaS).
Microsoft, Google Making Federal Cloud Moves
Posted February 26th, 2010 by John Moore
There’s high-level support for cloud computing in the government space so, unsurprisingly, vendors are following the money. The latest to do so is Microsoft. The company this week rolled out a federal-specific version of its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). And you can bet Google and Amazon Web Services will be making some federal cloud moves as well. Here are some of the details and implications.
Eucalyptus, Terracotta Make Next Cloud Move
Posted February 12th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Eucalyptus Systems, the open-source cloud platform vendor that’s positioned itself as the free, private alternative to Amazon Web Services, told me they were going to spend most of 2010 looking for new business opportunities. It looks like they’ve found one, as they announce a partnership with Terracotta to provide enhanced data scalability and application performance for enterprises using their private cloud. Here’s the scoop.
CommVault Launches Cloud Connector for Backups
Posted February 1st, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: A backup and archive software vendor announces that their trademark solution is getting an upgrade to integrate seamlessly with a who’s-who of cloud storage providers. This latest example involves CommVault, and their Simpana 8 software joining the hybrid backup solutions club. Here are the specifics.
Eucalyptus Continues Private Cloud Momentum
Posted January 27th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Back in October 2009, I wrote a bit about Eucalyptus Systems — which develops open-source cloud computing software. In some ways, it’s positioned as an open, private cloud alternative to Amazon Web Services. Fast forward to the present, and Eucalyptus seems to be showing some momentum. Here’s an update, including perspectives from Eucalyptus CTO and co-founder Rich Wolski.
Mark Logic Brings XML to Amazon EC2
Posted January 20th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Yet another software firm is stepping into Amazon’s cloud. The latest example: Mark Logic, best known as developers of information infrastructure technology, has announced its intentions to bring their XML server solution to the cloud, starting with MarkLogic Server for Amazon EC2. Here’s the scoop.
SaaS Stocks Up 53 Percent So Far In 2009
Posted November 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
With one month remaining in 2009, software as a service (SaaS) stocks remain red hot. Nine Lives Media Inc.’s SaaS 20 Stock Index is up 53.74 percent so far this year — with 19 of the 20 index members seeing their shares rise. Here’s a look at the index’s year-to-date winners, plus the reason why Rackspace Hosting Inc. is joining the SaaS 20 Stock Index.
Eucalyptus: Another Cloud Effort Worth Watching
Posted October 29th, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
We’ve already conceded that most MSPmentor readers have yet to try major clouds like Amazon Web Services. But if you’re just starting to give Amazon a look you might also want to keep one eye on Eucalyptus Systems Inc. — an open source system for private and hybrid clouds. Here’s why.
Amazon Web Services: The Big MSP Disconnect
Posted October 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Talk about two extremes: Yesterday, Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth (the guy behind Ubuntu Linux) said Amazon Web Services has emerged as a de facto cloud standard until open, vendor-neutral cloud standards can be developed. Yet only three percent of MSPs leverage Amazon’s cloud, according to our ongoing MSPmentor 100 survey. What’s behind the disconnect? Here are some thoughts.
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