Why Microsoft sees its future in [Rich Services] Cloud

From health care systems to cellphones, Steve Ballmer wants Microsoft “to invent everything that’s important on the planet.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/business/18msft.html?th&emc=th

Microsoft is very much aware that they are facing a present where the traditional desktop OS and traditional thick desktop apps (i.e. Office) are being squeezed and a future where these lines will have less relevance. Without a path forward –  MS Online (the first full Cloud app suite for SMB/Enterprise – essentially MS Office in the Cloud with Rich Services clients) and to make “Cloud run better on Win7″ – Microsoft is looking at a bleak future with diminishing revenue streams.

The [...]

Why Microsoft/Danger represents Traditional Browser-based Cloud #FAIL

The very public and spectacular Microsoft/Danger/Sidekick failure has been a rallying cry for those who detract as well as over-simplify Cloud Computing. A large part of the discussion has focussed on the fragility of CC services and storage, and the over-hying of CC. However, this reaction is itself anti-CC hype, failing to truly understand the implications of the failure. A recent blog entry from Dan Dilger provides a reasoned analysis that should provide a cautionary tale against:

Assuming “if you build it, they will come” (referring to wishful-thinking RAS),
Shrug-and-grin, fluff SLAs (referring to “SLAs” which essentially state “caveat emptor” and “we [...]

Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2010

Analysts Examine Latest Industry Trends During Gartner
Symposium/ITxpo, October 18-22, in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., October 20, 2009 — 

Gartner, Inc. analysts today highlighted the top 10 technologies and trends that will be strategic for most organizations in 2010. The analysts presented their findings during Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, being held here through October 22.

Gartner defines a strategic technology as one with the potential for significant impact on the enterprise in the next three years. Factors that denote significant impact include a high potential for disruption to IT or the business, the need for a major dollar investment, or the risk of being late to adopt.

These technologies impact the organisation’s long-term plans, programs and initiatives. [...]