discussUC

It's 2013. Cloud computing is another year older. As adopters, we're making fewer mistakes, but I suspect we'll repeat many of the same errors from 2012.

Now is the time to work on cloud computing improvements, to set reasonable goals -- and to make sure we live up to them. To that end, here are four cloud computing resolutions for 2013 I suggest we all adopt:

1.     I resolve not to "cloud-wash." 2012 was another year of cloud everything. Virtually all products had some cloud spin, no matter what it was or the type of problem it solved. The truth is that cloud computing should be a specific type of technology that includes attributes such as on-demand, self-provisioned, elastic, and metered by use. By calling everything "cloud," the vendors look silly -- and they sow confusion.

2.     I resolve not to use cloud computing for everything. Many IT pros try to put cloud computing square pegs into enterprise round holes. Cloud computing is not a fit in all instances, considering the cost and complexity it can bring. Do your homework -- this means understanding the needs of the business and the problem you're looking to solve. Moreover, make sure there's a clear business case for the cloud.

3.     I resolve to always consider management, performance, and service governance. IT pros and providers who stand up systems that use cloud computing often forget about the fact that you have to operate the thing. Management is required to monitor the cloud-based system and keep things working, as well as deal with performance issues during operations. Finally, service governance is required to deal with the APIs that are externalized or consumed. If you don't address these issues, your cloud is doomed -- it's that simple.

4.     I resolve not to question cloud security before I understand the technology. In many instances, enterprise IT pushes back on cloud computing because it isn't considered secure. The truth is that data and systems residing in public or private clouds are as secure as you make them. Typically, cloud-based systems can be more secure than existing internal systems if you do the upfront work required. Proclaiming a product's security (or lack thereof) before understanding exactly what it entails is at best counterproductive -- and often just plain wrong.

If you make and meet these four resolutions, your life will be much less complicated this year. Have a great 2013!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking at Aberdeen’s CMO Summit 2009 in San Francisco on the topic of enabling collaboration in marketing teams. It was a fun experience and the audience asked some great questions. In most organizations, marketing as a line of business (functional department) has one of the highest demands for effective collaboration due to the creative and iterative nature of every day work flows. Following is a quick synopsis of my presentation I gave yesterday to Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and marketing leaders from companies with some of the world's leading brands.

The organizational pressures of pushing both short term performance and long term brand building initiatives rest squarely on the shoulders of the CMO. Increased customer complexity in an age of new forms of media and social networking further add to the CMO's challenges. In addition, ever changing cultural and lifestyle choices among staff members and target markets makes the role of CMO one of the more hot seat executive positions in any company.

Further, strategic marketing initiatives in response to the pressures, complexity, and trends can often create fragmented marketing teams or “silos” which impact overall marketing department productivity by creating distance and communication barriers. The ability of marketing leaders to reduce distance barriers to enable collaboration and empowerment among staff members can ultimately lead to more streamlined marketing teams capable of faster decision making, better sharing and coordination of plans, goal setting and problem setting, and ultimately project option decisions, particularly in times of crises management.

Enter the importance of collaboration solutions for marketers – getting teams to work together closely on projects to achieve common goals. Voice and video conferencing, content sharing, and telepresence technologies can enable marketing teams to bust through silos and collaborate effectively regardless of their physical location. The application of collaboration solutions into marketing work flows can be in any number of everyday business processes including the following:

• Global Team Meetings
• Virtual 1:1s with CMO
• Strategic Planning Sessions
• Creative Process
• Project and Event Management
• Product Definition, Launch, and Life Cycle Management
• Design Review and Approval
• Editor and Analyst Briefings
• Sales Training
• Customer Demos and Presentations
• Partner Meetings and Councils

The benefits and business value of effective collaboration are quickly apparent to the entire marketing organization at multiple levels: work flow, employees, partners, and company ROI. Benefits will flow down through the department in the form of sharpened marketing processes and efficiency, impressive innovation and creative thinking, better decision making and moral levels of employees. Customers and partners will be more loyal due to tighter relationships with your team. The company as a whole will also see results with a faster time to market on new products and initiatives, reduced costs and carbon footprint, and ultimately increased shareholder value.

Put collaboration tools in place for your marketing organization - you will clearly see enhanced efficiency, productivity, and creativity leading both short term performance and long term results!

Authors: Murali Sitaram

Authors: Julia White

I am guest blogging on the Why Microsoft Blog today and tomorrow with some thoughts about Google.  Check out the post today here.

Julia White

Senior Director, Exchange Product Management

Authors: Julia White

A year ago, Microsoft and HP undertook a challenge to provide our customers with solutions to deliver faster business results.  Our approach would be to create new appliances for key IT workloads, including virtualization and management, business intelligence, and email.  We called this partnership...

Authors: IBM

Authors: IBM

Authors: IBM

Authors: IBM

Authors: IBM