A Quick Start Guide to Cloud Computing

The latest jargon in the digital world, "cloud computing" leaves many small-business owners scratching their heads. At its simplest, cloud computing enables businesses to do away with servers and much of their other IT hardware by running their software online. Web-based email programs like Yahoo or Hotmail are examples of cloud-based applications; Microsoft is making its entire Office suite available free in the cloud; Google and others also have productivity suites in the cloud. Dr. Williams eschews the jargon and marketing hype generated by IT vendors and helps business owners think clearly about how cloud computing could help improve their business. He addresses fears related to data security and business continuity and also examines how cloud computing can impact a business's carbon footprint. Case studies explain how businesses such as Dell and The New York Times have used cloud computing to their advantage.

Mark Williams is an experienced IT professional. His company Pensar serves mostly small businesses with technological services.

About this book	p. vi
About the author	p. ix
Acknowledgements	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
What is cloud computing?	p. 3
Three layers of computing	p. 4
Defining cloud computing	p. 6
Essential characteristics	p. 7
Three service models	p. 10
Four deployment models	p. 16
When is a cloud not a cloud?	p. 17
Twelve adoption scenarios	p. 18
Quick technology tips	p. 18
Summary	p. 22
Key summary points	p. 23
Question and activity	p. 24
Benefits of cloud computing	p. 25
Financial benefits	p. 26
Technological benefits	p. 28
Operational features and benefits	p. 30
Environmental benefits	p. 33
Competitive advantage	p. 35
Summary	p. 37
Key summary points	p. 37
Question and activity	p. 38
Risks of cloud computing	p. 39
Internal security risks	p. 40
External security risks	p. 43
Data protection risks	p. 45
Cloud outages	p. 47
Data loss	p. 49
Vendor lock-in	p. 50
Vendor failure	p. 52
Risk calculator	p. 52
Summary	p. 54
Key summary points	p. 54
Question and activity	p. 55
Case studies	p. 57
SaaS case studies	p. 58
PaaS case studies	p. 64
IaaS case studies	p. 66
Size matters in the cloud	p. 67
Summary	p. 74
Key summary points, question and activity	p. 75
Choosing a provider	p. 77
The crowded cloud marketplace	p. 78
Client references	p. 82
Service level agreements	p. 83
Service costs	p. 90
Processes, practices and standards	p. 97
Summary and checklist	p. 97
Key summary points and checklist	p. 98
Question and activity	p. 99
Moving into the cloud	p. 101
Investigation	p. 102
Evaluation	p. 107
Decision	p. 109
Implementation	p. 110
Iteration	p. 114
Summary	p. 115
Key summary points	p. 115
Question and activity	p. 116
Conclusion	p. 117
Obstacles to adoption	p. 118
Predictions	p. 119
Top ten tips	p. 121
Glossary	p. 123
References	p. 135
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A Quick Start Guide to Cloud Computing

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials