The Death of the PC: 3 companies that will rule the post-Mic
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The Death of the PC: 3 companies that will rule the post-Mic
Admin Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:03 am
The two words Bill Gates
doesn't want you to hear... Let Us Figure Out What the Names of the Companies are
They spooked the Microsoft founder into early retirement. Now they're going to bring down his empire and make a handful of investors rich. You can join them -- but you must act now.
Good Afternoon Opportunistic Investor,
On October 30, 2005, something incredible happened...
In Redmond, Washington, one of the world's richest -- and most powerful -- businessmen sent an urgent memo to his top engineers and most-trusted managers.
It sounded the alarm that a very disruptive "wave" was about to wash over the entire world -- forever changing the way we get information and do business.
It also warned this would wipe out the $200 billion business empire he'd spent
his life building.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles south, on the banks of the Columbia River, a mysterious outfit known only as "Design LLC" quietly constructed two massive, windowless warehouses.
This mammoth undertaking was code-named "Project 2," and the International Herald Tribune described the towering monolithic structures as "looming like an information-age nuclear plant."
I realize this may sound like something out of a Tom Clancy novel, but I think you'll want to bear with me, because...
Analysts estimate this "wave" has grown into a $160 billion tsunami
And experts say it's going to upend a $1 trillion industry. Yet very few investors understand just how huge it's going to be.
That's why I urge you to take the next few minutes to read this report in its entirety.
At the very least, you'll get the full story so you can decide for yourself if you'll be front and center when the big money starts rolling in.
But I warn you, the smart money is on the move...
A handful of investors are already quietly positioning themselves to cash in on this incredible economic shift. Soon, tens of thousands will be rushing to join them.
One of the most lucrative investment opportunities
we'll ever encounter
This story is so big that we have to step clear back to February 28, 1881, to put it into perspective.
On that chilly winter night, a 21-year-old British stenographer named Samuel Insull arrived in the port of New York aboard the City of Chester.
Thomas Edison's chief engineer had lured him to America to serve as Edison's private secretary.
11 years later, Insull oversaw the merger that created General Electric, and shortly thereafter was offered the presidency of the Chicago Edison Company.
Little did anyone know, the world of electricity was about to drastically change.
At the time, cities like Chicago had dozens of small, privately owned power stations transmitting direct current (DC) electricity to neighborhoods within a small radius.
With due respect to Edison, Insull knew that the model Edison had created was flawed.
So he set out to transform Edison's legacy into something far greater and more efficient than its creator had ever imagined.
In doing so, he forever changed the world
Insull realized if he could create a "utility" by building giant central power stations that would transmit alternating current (AC) electricity over great distances...
These power stations could be linked to form a giant grid that would serve homes, businesses, and industries in even the most remote locations.
Once electricity was readily available everywhere, more and more electric-powered devices would come to market -- creating more and more demand for the electricity that the utilities produced.
And here's the kicker...
Because these utilities could match supply with demand, realize superior economies of scale, and use their generating capacity much more efficiently, they could deliver electricity for a fraction of what it cost people to produce it on their own.
And Insull was right on the money!
By 1907, utilities produced 40% of the power in the U.S. In 1920, that number stood at 70%, and a decade later, it was over 90%.
What was once unimaginable had suddenly become reality.
Now, history is repeating itself
The next great technological revolution is already under way.
And now that the last pieces are falling into place, the floodgates are beginning to open -- meaning the big money is about to start rolling in...
Which is exactly why I'm writing you today.
You see, one of the most successful investors I've ever met is convinced that this technological shift will dump millions of dollars into the portfolios of investors just like you.
But in order to claim your fair share of the wealth, you have to know who the dominant players are -- and you have to get invested now.
That's why I want to introduce you to this legendary investor and tell you about three companies he's identified as "top dogs" and "first movers" in this breakout industry.
These are the companies he believes will dominate their industries over the next 5 to 10 years and hand investors life-changing wealth along the way.
I'll also reveal the six traits he looks for in a growth stock -- and explain how they have led him to companies that have soared 199%, 231%, 233%, 375%, and even 478% in just the past five years.
But first, let me tell you a little bit more about this amazing technology and why, once again...
The unimaginable is fast becoming a reality
You probably remember when computers took up entire rooms and were used only by companies that needed to do intense mathematical calculations.
That all changed when Intel unveiled the microprocessor and a geeky college dropout started writing software with his former high school pal.
Thanks to the virtual desktop they developed, the PC quickly replaced the mainframe as the center of corporate computing and began showing up in homes across America.
Before long, companies began building intraoffice networks so that their employees could run programs like Microsoft Word and Excel on their PCs, and also access programs, files, and printers from a central server.
But, like Edison's, this model was far from perfect.
Due to a lack of standards in computing hardware and software, competing products were rarely compatible -- making PC networks far more inefficient than their mainframe predecessors.
In fact, most servers ended up being used as single-purpose machines that ran a single software application or database.
And every time a company needed to add a new application, it was forced to expand its data centers, replace or reprogram old systems, and hire IT technicians to keep everything running.
As a result, global IT spending jumped from under $100 billion a year in the early 1970s to over $1 trillion a year by the turn of the century.
Here's the dirty secret behind this mind-boggling growth --
and the two words that will put an end to the party
IT-consulting firm IDC reports that every dollar a company spends on a Microsoft product results in an additional $8 of IT expenses.
And one IT expert admits, "Trillions of dollars that companies have invested into information technology have gone to waste."
Yet, companies have had no choice but to run these obscenely expensive and highly inefficient networks.
But that's all about to change...
And that's precisely why the two words "cloud computing" scare the hell out of Bill Gates.
You see, he realizes that thanks to the thousands of miles of fiber-optic cable laid during the late 1990s, the speed of computer networks has finally caught up to the speed of computer processors.
As IT expert Nicholas Carr explains, "What the fiber-optic Internet does for computing is exactly what the alternating-current network did for electricity."
Suddenly, computers that were once incompatible and isolated are now linked in a giant network, or "cloud."
As a result, computing is fast becoming a utility in much the same way that electricity did...
"The next sea change is upon us." -- Bill Gates
Think back a few years -- any time you wanted to type a letter, create a spreadsheet, edit a photo, or play a game, you had to go to the store, buy the software, and install it on your computer.
But nowadays, if you want to look up restaurants on Google... find directions on MapQuest... watch a video on YouTube... or sell furniture on Craigslist... all you need is a computer with an Internet connection.
Although these activities require you to use your PC, none of the content you are accessing or the applications you are running are actually stored on your computer -- instead they're stored at a giant data center somewhere in the "cloud."
And you don't give any of it a second thought... just like you don't think twice about where the electricity is coming from when you plug an appliance into the wall.
But cloud computing isn't going to be just a modern convenience -- it's going to be an enormous industry.
You see, everyone from individuals to multinational corporations can now simply tap into the "cloud" to get all the things they used to have to supply and maintain themselves. This will save some companies millions and make others billions.
"Is cloud computing the next big thing?"
That's the title of an article in PC Magazine.
The answer was an overwhelming yes. And PC Magazine isn't the only one taking note of this sweeping trend...
Computing Heads for the Clouds
The Death of Hardware
'Cloud Computing' seen as next wave for technology investors
The Economist claims, "As computing moves online, the sources of power and money will increasingly be enormous 'computing clouds.'"
David Hamilton of the Financial Post says this technology "has the potential to shower billions in revenues on companies that embrace it."
And Nicholas Carr, former executive editor of the Harvard Business Review, has even written an entire book on the subject, titled The Big Switch. In it, he asserts: "The PC age is giving way to a new era: the utility age."
He goes on to make this prediction: "Rendered obsolete, the traditional PC is replaced by a simple terminal -- a "thin client" that's little more than a monitor hooked up to the Internet."
While that may sound far-fetched, in the corporate market, sales of these "thin clients" have been growing at over 20% per year -- far outpacing that of PCs.
According to market-research firm IDC, the U.S. is now home to more than 7,000 data centers just like the one constructed on the banks of the Columbia River in 2005.
And the number of servers operating within these massive data centers is expected to grow to nearly 16 million by 2010 -- that's three times as many as a decade ago.
"Data centers have become as vital to the functioning of
society as power stations." -- The Economist
The simple truth is that cloud computing is becoming as big a part of our everyday lives as cell phones or cable television.
That's why I'm so eager to tell you all about the three companies that are leading the charge and look poised to rule the post-Microsoft world.
One is the undisputed leader of the cloud computing pack.
You may already know who I'm talking about... and you may have even guessed that it is the real face behind Design LLC.
But what you may not realize is that right now is the perfect time to get invested -- despite what many so-called "experts" in the financial media might be telling you.
Buying this tech juggernaut today is like buying Microsoft in 1990
Don't forget, even after the dot-com collapse and the recent market sell-off, every $10,000 invested in Microsoft would now be worth over $466,601.
Even a modest $3,000 investment would have grown into more than $139,980!
Just imagine what you could do with that kind of money...
Now imagine being given a second chance to secure that kind of profit.
Well, look here... this is your second chance.
You see, like Microsoft in the early 1990s, Google is just getting started.
They've already won the search engine war, set the standard for online advertising, and turned the company's name into a word tens of millions of people use daily.
And now they're fast becoming synonymous with the future of computing...
Over 500,000 companies -- including GE and Procter & Gamble -- have already signed up for Google Apps.
This grab bag of business applications can be purchased and run over the Web for just $50 per year and is just one of many Google products now giving Microsoft a run for its money.
Considering that Google Apps costs just 1/10th of what a traditional business software suite does, it's no surprise that more than 3,000 businesses are signing up per day.
No wonder the Financial Post says, "The cost savings in offering scaled-down versions of large enterprise software is making cloud computing a huge business."
But at just $50 a pop, you might be wondering how big this business can really get.
Industry research firm Gartner Inc. says the market for Internet-based software hit $5.1 billion last year and conservatively estimates it will more than double to $11.5 billion by 2011.
But don't forget, this is just one small part of the giant and highly profitable cloud computing world.
Given its dominance over the online world, massive network of strategic partnerships, and unmatched ability to innovate, you can bet the great majority of the fortunes generated by cloud computing will flow through Google's coffers.
Even so, you may be wondering...
Isn't it too late to buy Google?
Not at all!
In fact, as I mentioned, one of America's most trusted stock pickers is convinced that right now is the perfect time to get invested in the future of cloud computing -- and especially in Google.
But why should you trust him?
Well, let's just say this isn't the first time this maverick investor has recommended a stock after the hotshots on Wall Street declared it was "too late"...
Back in 2005, he recommended robotic surgery specialist Intuitive Surgical to a small group of opportunistic investors.
At the time, shares were selling for $44.17. One year prior, shares had sold for $17.46, and a year before that they were selling for just $8.68.
You read that right... Intuitive Surgical had risen 500% in the two years before he recommended it -- and that scared lesser investors off.
But this visionary investor recognized that Intuitive Surgical was both "top dog" and "first mover" in its industry and still had plenty of room to run...
Shares traded as high as $359.59, and even after the recent market downturn, those who followed his lead are sitting on a whopping 478% gain.
And this wasn't just some sort of lucky break or fluke, either.
You see, this world-famous investor first caught the financial media's attention when he recommended AOL in the summer of 1994 -- after it had quadrupled in just 12 short months.
Of course, the story is the same with AOL -- he recognized it as both a top dog and a first mover in an important emerging industry and knew it was only getting started.
Six years later, AOL was a 100-bagger, turning every $10,000 invested into a whopping $1 million -- and this growth investor into a living legend.
Here are just a few more of the top dogs and first movers he's uncovered recently:
* Myriad Genetics -- Locked in 252% gains
* Millennium Pharmaceuticals -- Locked in 142% gains
* Baidu.com -- Up 375%...
By now, I imagine you're ready to meet this legendary investor and find out exactly what I mean by "top dog" and "first mover." But first...
Allow me a proper introduction
My name is Kate Ward, and I publish an award-winning financial newsletter that carries the same name as the small community of investors I mentioned a moment ago...
It's called Motley Fool Rule Breakers, and it's headed up by the extremely successful stock picker I've been telling you about...
You may have already guessed that I'm talking about David Gardner -- co-founder of The Motley Fool. After all, he's pretty well-known...
You've probably seen David on CNBC discussing his favorite growth stocks with some of the nation's other top-tier equity analysts...
Or perhaps you've read one of his many best-selling investment books...
Or maybe you're just familiar with some of his remarkable stock recommendations... eBay in 1999... Starbucks in 1998... AOL in 1994... Amgen in 1998... Amazon in 1997.
Regardless, it's not hard to see why Money.com says he's "among the most widely followed stock advisors in the world."
And I'm sure you can understand why any time David gets excited about an investment opportunity, I stand up and take notice...
Well, let me tell you, right now David is extremely excited about what he calls...
"The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing"
These are 3 exceptionally well-run companies that David and his team of cutting-edge equity analysts have identified as both top dogs and first movers in their respective industries.
You've already heard a little bit about the first of these three, and I imagine you're beginning to see why David thinks any serious investor should get it in his portfolio right this minute.
But as I mentioned before, you deserve to get the full story so you can decide for yourself whether or not to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
That's why I want to send you a complimentary copy of our brand-new special report: "Cloudy With a Chance of Billions: The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing."
This valuable report is jam-packed with patented in-depth analysis and investment insights and is available only to a select few individual investors.
Not only does it spell out exactly why Google could be your next monster winner in plain, easy-to-understand English, it also reveals 2 lesser-known companies that are poised to dominate the world of cloud computing and hand investors incredible returns.
Just ahead, I'll tell you how to claim a complimentary copy of this report, plus I'll give you a chance to join the Rule Breakers community at a limited-time discount rate, but first let me tell you a little more about the other two incredible companies that David's so excited about...
First things first... what's a "top dog" and a "first mover"?
It's quite simple really.
A "top dog" is a company that dominates its industry... and a "first mover" is a company with a technology or product so revolutionary that it disrupts an existing industry and creates an entirely new one.
On the rare occasion that you find a company that is both a top dog and a first mover, the chances are pretty good that you've found your next big winner...
Just think of eBay in the online auction market... Amazon in the online retail market... or Netflix in the DVD-rental market (David led investors to big gains on all three).
These companies redefined the way business was done, launched entirely new industries, and continue to dominate those industries to this day. And you don't need me to tell you how handsomely they've rewarded shareholders along the way.
So you can see why David and his Rule Breakers team work around the clock to find companies that are both top dogs and first movers.
But they don't stop there... You see, David discovered long ago that in order to find companies that will deliver truly life-changing investment returns, you have to break the rules and go against much of what passes for "wisdom" on Wall Street.
That's why he searches for companies with...
* a sustainable competitive advantage that can be exploited for years to come
* strong past price appreciation
* excellent management
* strong consumer appeal
And here's the big one...
* documented proof that the financial media thinks it's "overvalued"
Remember, many of David's biggest winners were recommended after all the fast-talking experts on Wall Street already declared you'd missed your chance to buy.
It's the exact same story with the second company I'm going to tell you about today...
The company that makes the Internet fly
When David first recommended it to the Rule Breakers community back in 2005, he admitted it wasn't "cheap."
With the arrival of cloud computing, he's more excited than ever about its potential to make investors rich.
You see, this company works behind the scenes to make sure you can access everything the Web has to offer at lightning-fast speeds.
And thanks to the ever-growing number of people now using the Internet to do everything from watch movies to buy houses, this once-flailing refugee of the dot-com meltdown is now one of the most important tech companies in the world.
Apple, Microsoft, Best Buy, and Nintendo are among its top clients -- and they're all more than happy to pay up for the quality this company consistently delivers.
While this usually runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $275,000 per year, more and more complex applications are coming online all the time -- giving this company greater pricing power.
At last count, it had more than 100 clients paying $1 million or more per year. So it's no wonder that cash from operations has more than tripled from $83 million in 2005 to over $380 million today... Or that the cash on its balance sheet has grown from just $92 million to a whopping $321 million.
And you can bet that this growth will only accelerate as cloud computing becomes an even more vital part of our personal and professional lives.
You see, because this company is both a top dog and a first mover, it has been able to gain an almost insurmountable lead in market share, allowing it to sport superb operating margins.
The gross margin currently sits at an incredible 76%; meanwhile, the net margin has climbed to an all-time high of 18% -- and continues to grow.
All things considered, I think you can understand why David thinks this will be one of the dominant players in the cloud computing world for years to come.
And it's the exact same story with the third company he reveals in The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing...
A bona fide Rule Breaker with very real profits
Not only does this rising tech superstar meet all 6 of David's criteria for a classic Rule Breaker, but it also has a stranglehold on a niche market that's absolutely essential to the future of cloud computing.
Whereas the last company I mentioned keeps the massive amounts of Web traffic flowing smoothly and efficiently, this company designs extremely complex software that allows central servers to function in the first place.
While the market for this software sits at roughly $1 billion today, it is estimated to soar to $5 billion by 2011 -- an astonishing 50% compound growth rate.
And thanks to various patents, a considerable head start, and immense technical know-how, there is very little chance competitors will be able to wrestle the lion's share of that $5 billion away from this company.
But you may be asking yourself...
Is now really a good time to be buying growth stocks?
I won't lie... it takes guts to make money in this market.
But here's some good news...
Our current economic situation actually bears a striking similarity to the economic downturn of the early 1990s. And Morningstar reports that during that recession, growth stocks more than doubled the return of "value" stocks.
Furthermore, SmartMoney recently confirmed that "growth stocks can excel even if the broad market continues to stumble." In fact, it reported that right now, "analysts expect better profit prospects for growth stocks than for value stocks."
And money manager Dan Becker says, "Growth is as rare as a diamond, and everyone's looking for it."
Meaning, right now, we have a historic opportunity to snap up Hope Diamond investments at cubic zirconia prices.
A small group of investors is about to build bold fortunes...
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It all starts with taking us up on this special offer and claiming your FREE report: Cloudy With a Chance of Billions: The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing. I want you to have it right now, with my compliments.
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That's right... I want you to join us in our quest to find and buy tomorrow's breakout companies without having to risk one dime.
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After all, you'll be the first to know about tomorrow's next great companies and have the rare chance to get these fortune makers into your portfolio before the masses catch on and drive prices out of reach.
Which reminds me, I need to tell you about one final company David and his team recently unearthed...
This Rule Breaker is about to eat Microsoft, SAP, and Oracle's
lunch -- and hand early investors some monster returns
One of Motley Fool Rule Breakers' HUGE advantages!
A small sampling of people David has sat down with over the past few years...
* Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos
* Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman
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* Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban
* Marvel Entertainment Vice-Chairman Peter Cuneo
* Stanford economist Thomas Sowell
* Former JetBlue CEO David Neeleman
* FedEx CEO Fred Smith
* Former Coca-Cola CFO Gary Fayard
* Vanguard founder John Bogle
* Former Sysco CEO Charles Cotros
* Former Morgan Stanley chief economist Stephen Roach
* Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello
* Third Avenue Funds chairman Martin Whitman
* Nobel Prize-winning economist Vernon Smith
* Whole Foods CEO John Mackey
* Staples president and CEO Ron Sargent
* Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel
* Netflix CEO Reed Hastings
* Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
* Nucor CEO Dan DiMicco
* Robert Hagstrom, SVP of Legg Mason Funds
...to hammer out the best moneymaking strategy for the months and years ahead!
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This company started out as a top dog and first mover in another emerging area of technology, but it has quietly transformed into a budding cloud computing powerhouse that's positioned to host all of the corporate data on the Web.
But it wasn't its robust developer network (literally tens of thousands of developers are now invested in the success of this company) nor its 50,000-plus corporate client list that initially caught David's eye...
It was the fact that, like many of the other companies I've told you about today, all the "pros" on Wall Street claimed it was drastically overvalued -- while overlooking the fact that it'd more than doubled its customer base in just over two years and more than doubled its free cash flow in just over one.
Not to mention, it outperforms nearly every other company out there (even Google) in turning research and development investments into returns for shareholders.
Combine this with the fact that its cloud computing services are extremely simple to use and can save clients tens of millions of dollars over time, and you can see why David and his team dubbed this as one of "The New Kings of Cloud Computing" and urged our Rule Breakers community to snap shares up right away.
At the time, they were selling for just $27.57.
Today they fetch about $62 -- meaning investors who followed David's advice are already up 126% in a short time.
But don't worry... as with all the companies I've told you about today, David and his team are convinced that this one is just getting started and that the big money is yet to be made.
Of course, it's only a matter of time before everyone else catches on, which is why I think you'll want to get all the details right away...
And it couldn't be easier! When you join Rule Breakers absolutely risk-free right now, I'll include a just-released write-up of "The New King of Cloud Computing." That way, you'll have everything you need to get invested in all the Rule Breakers that are dominating the world of cloud computing and helping investors like you cash in.
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The 3 Kings of Cloud ComputingThe 3 Kings of Cloud Computing: Reveals The Motley Fool's top 3 cloud computing plays and shows you exactly how to position yourself to cash in on the coming investment boom. Remember, we're at a technological tipping point. The cloud computing revolution has already begun -- and the big money is about to be made! Plus, we'll send you the just-released write-up of "The New King of Cloud Computing."
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As with any truly great offer -- this one is only available
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More importantly, there will never be a better or an easier way to position yourself to cash in on the cloud computing revolution. So please don't risk missing out.
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Here's to the next generation of investment millionaires,
Kate Ward
Kate Ward
Publisher, Motley Fool Rule Breakers
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doesn't want you to hear... Let Us Figure Out What the Names of the Companies are
They spooked the Microsoft founder into early retirement. Now they're going to bring down his empire and make a handful of investors rich. You can join them -- but you must act now.
Good Afternoon Opportunistic Investor,
On October 30, 2005, something incredible happened...
In Redmond, Washington, one of the world's richest -- and most powerful -- businessmen sent an urgent memo to his top engineers and most-trusted managers.
It sounded the alarm that a very disruptive "wave" was about to wash over the entire world -- forever changing the way we get information and do business.
It also warned this would wipe out the $200 billion business empire he'd spent
his life building.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles south, on the banks of the Columbia River, a mysterious outfit known only as "Design LLC" quietly constructed two massive, windowless warehouses.
This mammoth undertaking was code-named "Project 2," and the International Herald Tribune described the towering monolithic structures as "looming like an information-age nuclear plant."
I realize this may sound like something out of a Tom Clancy novel, but I think you'll want to bear with me, because...
Analysts estimate this "wave" has grown into a $160 billion tsunami
And experts say it's going to upend a $1 trillion industry. Yet very few investors understand just how huge it's going to be.
That's why I urge you to take the next few minutes to read this report in its entirety.
At the very least, you'll get the full story so you can decide for yourself if you'll be front and center when the big money starts rolling in.
But I warn you, the smart money is on the move...
A handful of investors are already quietly positioning themselves to cash in on this incredible economic shift. Soon, tens of thousands will be rushing to join them.
One of the most lucrative investment opportunities
we'll ever encounter
This story is so big that we have to step clear back to February 28, 1881, to put it into perspective.
On that chilly winter night, a 21-year-old British stenographer named Samuel Insull arrived in the port of New York aboard the City of Chester.
Thomas Edison's chief engineer had lured him to America to serve as Edison's private secretary.
11 years later, Insull oversaw the merger that created General Electric, and shortly thereafter was offered the presidency of the Chicago Edison Company.
Little did anyone know, the world of electricity was about to drastically change.
At the time, cities like Chicago had dozens of small, privately owned power stations transmitting direct current (DC) electricity to neighborhoods within a small radius.
With due respect to Edison, Insull knew that the model Edison had created was flawed.
So he set out to transform Edison's legacy into something far greater and more efficient than its creator had ever imagined.
In doing so, he forever changed the world
Insull realized if he could create a "utility" by building giant central power stations that would transmit alternating current (AC) electricity over great distances...
These power stations could be linked to form a giant grid that would serve homes, businesses, and industries in even the most remote locations.
Once electricity was readily available everywhere, more and more electric-powered devices would come to market -- creating more and more demand for the electricity that the utilities produced.
And here's the kicker...
Because these utilities could match supply with demand, realize superior economies of scale, and use their generating capacity much more efficiently, they could deliver electricity for a fraction of what it cost people to produce it on their own.
And Insull was right on the money!
By 1907, utilities produced 40% of the power in the U.S. In 1920, that number stood at 70%, and a decade later, it was over 90%.
What was once unimaginable had suddenly become reality.
Now, history is repeating itself
The next great technological revolution is already under way.
And now that the last pieces are falling into place, the floodgates are beginning to open -- meaning the big money is about to start rolling in...
Which is exactly why I'm writing you today.
You see, one of the most successful investors I've ever met is convinced that this technological shift will dump millions of dollars into the portfolios of investors just like you.
But in order to claim your fair share of the wealth, you have to know who the dominant players are -- and you have to get invested now.
That's why I want to introduce you to this legendary investor and tell you about three companies he's identified as "top dogs" and "first movers" in this breakout industry.
These are the companies he believes will dominate their industries over the next 5 to 10 years and hand investors life-changing wealth along the way.
I'll also reveal the six traits he looks for in a growth stock -- and explain how they have led him to companies that have soared 199%, 231%, 233%, 375%, and even 478% in just the past five years.
But first, let me tell you a little bit more about this amazing technology and why, once again...
The unimaginable is fast becoming a reality
You probably remember when computers took up entire rooms and were used only by companies that needed to do intense mathematical calculations.
That all changed when Intel unveiled the microprocessor and a geeky college dropout started writing software with his former high school pal.
Thanks to the virtual desktop they developed, the PC quickly replaced the mainframe as the center of corporate computing and began showing up in homes across America.
Before long, companies began building intraoffice networks so that their employees could run programs like Microsoft Word and Excel on their PCs, and also access programs, files, and printers from a central server.
But, like Edison's, this model was far from perfect.
Due to a lack of standards in computing hardware and software, competing products were rarely compatible -- making PC networks far more inefficient than their mainframe predecessors.
In fact, most servers ended up being used as single-purpose machines that ran a single software application or database.
And every time a company needed to add a new application, it was forced to expand its data centers, replace or reprogram old systems, and hire IT technicians to keep everything running.
As a result, global IT spending jumped from under $100 billion a year in the early 1970s to over $1 trillion a year by the turn of the century.
Here's the dirty secret behind this mind-boggling growth --
and the two words that will put an end to the party
IT-consulting firm IDC reports that every dollar a company spends on a Microsoft product results in an additional $8 of IT expenses.
And one IT expert admits, "Trillions of dollars that companies have invested into information technology have gone to waste."
Yet, companies have had no choice but to run these obscenely expensive and highly inefficient networks.
But that's all about to change...
And that's precisely why the two words "cloud computing" scare the hell out of Bill Gates.
You see, he realizes that thanks to the thousands of miles of fiber-optic cable laid during the late 1990s, the speed of computer networks has finally caught up to the speed of computer processors.
As IT expert Nicholas Carr explains, "What the fiber-optic Internet does for computing is exactly what the alternating-current network did for electricity."
Suddenly, computers that were once incompatible and isolated are now linked in a giant network, or "cloud."
As a result, computing is fast becoming a utility in much the same way that electricity did...
"The next sea change is upon us." -- Bill Gates
Think back a few years -- any time you wanted to type a letter, create a spreadsheet, edit a photo, or play a game, you had to go to the store, buy the software, and install it on your computer.
But nowadays, if you want to look up restaurants on Google... find directions on MapQuest... watch a video on YouTube... or sell furniture on Craigslist... all you need is a computer with an Internet connection.
Although these activities require you to use your PC, none of the content you are accessing or the applications you are running are actually stored on your computer -- instead they're stored at a giant data center somewhere in the "cloud."
And you don't give any of it a second thought... just like you don't think twice about where the electricity is coming from when you plug an appliance into the wall.
But cloud computing isn't going to be just a modern convenience -- it's going to be an enormous industry.
You see, everyone from individuals to multinational corporations can now simply tap into the "cloud" to get all the things they used to have to supply and maintain themselves. This will save some companies millions and make others billions.
"Is cloud computing the next big thing?"
That's the title of an article in PC Magazine.
The answer was an overwhelming yes. And PC Magazine isn't the only one taking note of this sweeping trend...
Computing Heads for the Clouds
The Death of Hardware
'Cloud Computing' seen as next wave for technology investors
The Economist claims, "As computing moves online, the sources of power and money will increasingly be enormous 'computing clouds.'"
David Hamilton of the Financial Post says this technology "has the potential to shower billions in revenues on companies that embrace it."
And Nicholas Carr, former executive editor of the Harvard Business Review, has even written an entire book on the subject, titled The Big Switch. In it, he asserts: "The PC age is giving way to a new era: the utility age."
He goes on to make this prediction: "Rendered obsolete, the traditional PC is replaced by a simple terminal -- a "thin client" that's little more than a monitor hooked up to the Internet."
While that may sound far-fetched, in the corporate market, sales of these "thin clients" have been growing at over 20% per year -- far outpacing that of PCs.
According to market-research firm IDC, the U.S. is now home to more than 7,000 data centers just like the one constructed on the banks of the Columbia River in 2005.
And the number of servers operating within these massive data centers is expected to grow to nearly 16 million by 2010 -- that's three times as many as a decade ago.
"Data centers have become as vital to the functioning of
society as power stations." -- The Economist
The simple truth is that cloud computing is becoming as big a part of our everyday lives as cell phones or cable television.
That's why I'm so eager to tell you all about the three companies that are leading the charge and look poised to rule the post-Microsoft world.
One is the undisputed leader of the cloud computing pack.
You may already know who I'm talking about... and you may have even guessed that it is the real face behind Design LLC.
But what you may not realize is that right now is the perfect time to get invested -- despite what many so-called "experts" in the financial media might be telling you.
Buying this tech juggernaut today is like buying Microsoft in 1990
Don't forget, even after the dot-com collapse and the recent market sell-off, every $10,000 invested in Microsoft would now be worth over $466,601.
Even a modest $3,000 investment would have grown into more than $139,980!
Just imagine what you could do with that kind of money...
Now imagine being given a second chance to secure that kind of profit.
Well, look here... this is your second chance.
You see, like Microsoft in the early 1990s, Google is just getting started.
They've already won the search engine war, set the standard for online advertising, and turned the company's name into a word tens of millions of people use daily.
And now they're fast becoming synonymous with the future of computing...
Over 500,000 companies -- including GE and Procter & Gamble -- have already signed up for Google Apps.
This grab bag of business applications can be purchased and run over the Web for just $50 per year and is just one of many Google products now giving Microsoft a run for its money.
Considering that Google Apps costs just 1/10th of what a traditional business software suite does, it's no surprise that more than 3,000 businesses are signing up per day.
No wonder the Financial Post says, "The cost savings in offering scaled-down versions of large enterprise software is making cloud computing a huge business."
But at just $50 a pop, you might be wondering how big this business can really get.
Industry research firm Gartner Inc. says the market for Internet-based software hit $5.1 billion last year and conservatively estimates it will more than double to $11.5 billion by 2011.
But don't forget, this is just one small part of the giant and highly profitable cloud computing world.
Given its dominance over the online world, massive network of strategic partnerships, and unmatched ability to innovate, you can bet the great majority of the fortunes generated by cloud computing will flow through Google's coffers.
Even so, you may be wondering...
Isn't it too late to buy Google?
Not at all!
In fact, as I mentioned, one of America's most trusted stock pickers is convinced that right now is the perfect time to get invested in the future of cloud computing -- and especially in Google.
But why should you trust him?
Well, let's just say this isn't the first time this maverick investor has recommended a stock after the hotshots on Wall Street declared it was "too late"...
Back in 2005, he recommended robotic surgery specialist Intuitive Surgical to a small group of opportunistic investors.
At the time, shares were selling for $44.17. One year prior, shares had sold for $17.46, and a year before that they were selling for just $8.68.
You read that right... Intuitive Surgical had risen 500% in the two years before he recommended it -- and that scared lesser investors off.
But this visionary investor recognized that Intuitive Surgical was both "top dog" and "first mover" in its industry and still had plenty of room to run...
Shares traded as high as $359.59, and even after the recent market downturn, those who followed his lead are sitting on a whopping 478% gain.
And this wasn't just some sort of lucky break or fluke, either.
You see, this world-famous investor first caught the financial media's attention when he recommended AOL in the summer of 1994 -- after it had quadrupled in just 12 short months.
Of course, the story is the same with AOL -- he recognized it as both a top dog and a first mover in an important emerging industry and knew it was only getting started.
Six years later, AOL was a 100-bagger, turning every $10,000 invested into a whopping $1 million -- and this growth investor into a living legend.
Here are just a few more of the top dogs and first movers he's uncovered recently:
* Myriad Genetics -- Locked in 252% gains
* Millennium Pharmaceuticals -- Locked in 142% gains
* Baidu.com -- Up 375%...
By now, I imagine you're ready to meet this legendary investor and find out exactly what I mean by "top dog" and "first mover." But first...
Allow me a proper introduction
My name is Kate Ward, and I publish an award-winning financial newsletter that carries the same name as the small community of investors I mentioned a moment ago...
It's called Motley Fool Rule Breakers, and it's headed up by the extremely successful stock picker I've been telling you about...
You may have already guessed that I'm talking about David Gardner -- co-founder of The Motley Fool. After all, he's pretty well-known...
You've probably seen David on CNBC discussing his favorite growth stocks with some of the nation's other top-tier equity analysts...
Or perhaps you've read one of his many best-selling investment books...
Or maybe you're just familiar with some of his remarkable stock recommendations... eBay in 1999... Starbucks in 1998... AOL in 1994... Amgen in 1998... Amazon in 1997.
Regardless, it's not hard to see why Money.com says he's "among the most widely followed stock advisors in the world."
And I'm sure you can understand why any time David gets excited about an investment opportunity, I stand up and take notice...
Well, let me tell you, right now David is extremely excited about what he calls...
"The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing"
These are 3 exceptionally well-run companies that David and his team of cutting-edge equity analysts have identified as both top dogs and first movers in their respective industries.
You've already heard a little bit about the first of these three, and I imagine you're beginning to see why David thinks any serious investor should get it in his portfolio right this minute.
But as I mentioned before, you deserve to get the full story so you can decide for yourself whether or not to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
That's why I want to send you a complimentary copy of our brand-new special report: "Cloudy With a Chance of Billions: The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing."
This valuable report is jam-packed with patented in-depth analysis and investment insights and is available only to a select few individual investors.
Not only does it spell out exactly why Google could be your next monster winner in plain, easy-to-understand English, it also reveals 2 lesser-known companies that are poised to dominate the world of cloud computing and hand investors incredible returns.
Just ahead, I'll tell you how to claim a complimentary copy of this report, plus I'll give you a chance to join the Rule Breakers community at a limited-time discount rate, but first let me tell you a little more about the other two incredible companies that David's so excited about...
First things first... what's a "top dog" and a "first mover"?
It's quite simple really.
A "top dog" is a company that dominates its industry... and a "first mover" is a company with a technology or product so revolutionary that it disrupts an existing industry and creates an entirely new one.
On the rare occasion that you find a company that is both a top dog and a first mover, the chances are pretty good that you've found your next big winner...
Just think of eBay in the online auction market... Amazon in the online retail market... or Netflix in the DVD-rental market (David led investors to big gains on all three).
These companies redefined the way business was done, launched entirely new industries, and continue to dominate those industries to this day. And you don't need me to tell you how handsomely they've rewarded shareholders along the way.
So you can see why David and his Rule Breakers team work around the clock to find companies that are both top dogs and first movers.
But they don't stop there... You see, David discovered long ago that in order to find companies that will deliver truly life-changing investment returns, you have to break the rules and go against much of what passes for "wisdom" on Wall Street.
That's why he searches for companies with...
* a sustainable competitive advantage that can be exploited for years to come
* strong past price appreciation
* excellent management
* strong consumer appeal
And here's the big one...
* documented proof that the financial media thinks it's "overvalued"
Remember, many of David's biggest winners were recommended after all the fast-talking experts on Wall Street already declared you'd missed your chance to buy.
It's the exact same story with the second company I'm going to tell you about today...
The company that makes the Internet fly
When David first recommended it to the Rule Breakers community back in 2005, he admitted it wasn't "cheap."
With the arrival of cloud computing, he's more excited than ever about its potential to make investors rich.
You see, this company works behind the scenes to make sure you can access everything the Web has to offer at lightning-fast speeds.
And thanks to the ever-growing number of people now using the Internet to do everything from watch movies to buy houses, this once-flailing refugee of the dot-com meltdown is now one of the most important tech companies in the world.
Apple, Microsoft, Best Buy, and Nintendo are among its top clients -- and they're all more than happy to pay up for the quality this company consistently delivers.
While this usually runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $275,000 per year, more and more complex applications are coming online all the time -- giving this company greater pricing power.
At last count, it had more than 100 clients paying $1 million or more per year. So it's no wonder that cash from operations has more than tripled from $83 million in 2005 to over $380 million today... Or that the cash on its balance sheet has grown from just $92 million to a whopping $321 million.
And you can bet that this growth will only accelerate as cloud computing becomes an even more vital part of our personal and professional lives.
You see, because this company is both a top dog and a first mover, it has been able to gain an almost insurmountable lead in market share, allowing it to sport superb operating margins.
The gross margin currently sits at an incredible 76%; meanwhile, the net margin has climbed to an all-time high of 18% -- and continues to grow.
All things considered, I think you can understand why David thinks this will be one of the dominant players in the cloud computing world for years to come.
And it's the exact same story with the third company he reveals in The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing...
A bona fide Rule Breaker with very real profits
Not only does this rising tech superstar meet all 6 of David's criteria for a classic Rule Breaker, but it also has a stranglehold on a niche market that's absolutely essential to the future of cloud computing.
Whereas the last company I mentioned keeps the massive amounts of Web traffic flowing smoothly and efficiently, this company designs extremely complex software that allows central servers to function in the first place.
While the market for this software sits at roughly $1 billion today, it is estimated to soar to $5 billion by 2011 -- an astonishing 50% compound growth rate.
And thanks to various patents, a considerable head start, and immense technical know-how, there is very little chance competitors will be able to wrestle the lion's share of that $5 billion away from this company.
But you may be asking yourself...
Is now really a good time to be buying growth stocks?
I won't lie... it takes guts to make money in this market.
But here's some good news...
Our current economic situation actually bears a striking similarity to the economic downturn of the early 1990s. And Morningstar reports that during that recession, growth stocks more than doubled the return of "value" stocks.
Furthermore, SmartMoney recently confirmed that "growth stocks can excel even if the broad market continues to stumble." In fact, it reported that right now, "analysts expect better profit prospects for growth stocks than for value stocks."
And money manager Dan Becker says, "Growth is as rare as a diamond, and everyone's looking for it."
Meaning, right now, we have a historic opportunity to snap up Hope Diamond investments at cubic zirconia prices.
A small group of investors is about to build bold fortunes...
START NOW
"The Motley Fool's panache is a cover for a belief in the old-fashioned virtues of patience, simplicity, and prudence."
-- US News & World Report
"The Motley Fool has always been a great place for beginners to cut their investing teeth, but it also offers enough of everything else to please seasoned investors."
-- Barron's
Will you be one of them? You could be.
It all starts with taking us up on this special offer and claiming your FREE report: Cloudy With a Chance of Billions: The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing. I want you to have it right now, with my compliments.
And here's one more thing I'd like you to accept with my compliments: an invitation to join our Rule Breakers community absolutely without any risk.
That's right... I want you to join us in our quest to find and buy tomorrow's breakout companies without having to risk one dime.
You see, at Rule Breakers, we stand behind every piece of advice, insight, and recommendation we make, with 100% confidence. Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed -- or your money back!
In other words, you can position yourself to profit from every recommendation David and his team have ever made and discover everything that Motley Fool Rule Breakers has to offer -- WITHOUT ANY RISK WHATSOEVER.
This is our "keep everything" & "risk nothing"
DOUBLE GUARANTEE
Go ahead and take a good look at every breakout company we've uncovered. Get all the details on the companies that will change the world over the next 10 to 15 years...
And then if for any reason you're not totally thrilled... just tell me to send your money back, up to the last day of your first month. I'll promptly refund every cent, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
All the details of The Motley Fool's 3 top cloud computing investments. All the content on the Rule Breakers members-only website. All the reports. All the recommendations. All the articles and investing tips. Plus a valuable fast-action bonus detailed below -- THEY'RE ALL YOURS TO KEEP WITH MY COMPLIMENTS.
What's more, if you decide you'd like to opt out at any point after your first month, you'll be entitled to the full dollar value of the remainder of your membership term.
You're completely protected... but I'm pretty sure once you have a closer look at what our exclusive, forward-looking investment group is doing, you'll want to stick around and get all the upcoming Rule Breakers recommendations...
After all, you'll be the first to know about tomorrow's next great companies and have the rare chance to get these fortune makers into your portfolio before the masses catch on and drive prices out of reach.
Which reminds me, I need to tell you about one final company David and his team recently unearthed...
This Rule Breaker is about to eat Microsoft, SAP, and Oracle's
lunch -- and hand early investors some monster returns
One of Motley Fool Rule Breakers' HUGE advantages!
A small sampling of people David has sat down with over the past few years...
* Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos
* Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman
* Best Buy Chairman Dick Schulze
* Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban
* Marvel Entertainment Vice-Chairman Peter Cuneo
* Stanford economist Thomas Sowell
* Former JetBlue CEO David Neeleman
* FedEx CEO Fred Smith
* Former Coca-Cola CFO Gary Fayard
* Vanguard founder John Bogle
* Former Sysco CEO Charles Cotros
* Former Morgan Stanley chief economist Stephen Roach
* Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello
* Third Avenue Funds chairman Martin Whitman
* Nobel Prize-winning economist Vernon Smith
* Whole Foods CEO John Mackey
* Staples president and CEO Ron Sargent
* Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel
* Netflix CEO Reed Hastings
* Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
* Nucor CEO Dan DiMicco
* Robert Hagstrom, SVP of Legg Mason Funds
...to hammer out the best moneymaking strategy for the months and years ahead!
START NOW
This company started out as a top dog and first mover in another emerging area of technology, but it has quietly transformed into a budding cloud computing powerhouse that's positioned to host all of the corporate data on the Web.
But it wasn't its robust developer network (literally tens of thousands of developers are now invested in the success of this company) nor its 50,000-plus corporate client list that initially caught David's eye...
It was the fact that, like many of the other companies I've told you about today, all the "pros" on Wall Street claimed it was drastically overvalued -- while overlooking the fact that it'd more than doubled its customer base in just over two years and more than doubled its free cash flow in just over one.
Not to mention, it outperforms nearly every other company out there (even Google) in turning research and development investments into returns for shareholders.
Combine this with the fact that its cloud computing services are extremely simple to use and can save clients tens of millions of dollars over time, and you can see why David and his team dubbed this as one of "The New Kings of Cloud Computing" and urged our Rule Breakers community to snap shares up right away.
At the time, they were selling for just $27.57.
Today they fetch about $62 -- meaning investors who followed David's advice are already up 126% in a short time.
But don't worry... as with all the companies I've told you about today, David and his team are convinced that this one is just getting started and that the big money is yet to be made.
Of course, it's only a matter of time before everyone else catches on, which is why I think you'll want to get all the details right away...
And it couldn't be easier! When you join Rule Breakers absolutely risk-free right now, I'll include a just-released write-up of "The New King of Cloud Computing." That way, you'll have everything you need to get invested in all the Rule Breakers that are dominating the world of cloud computing and helping investors like you cash in.
How much are these potential fortune makers worth?
Thousands of dollars? Sure. But you won't have to pay thousands to get your hands on them.
That's because when you join us at Rule Breakers, you can put a team of experts -- including Motley Fool co-founder David Gardner, tech guru Tim Beyers, nanotech expert Karl Thiel; and early adopter expert Rick Munarriz -- to work for you for just a fraction of that.
Look at this...
You can gain access to every top recommendation on the Motley Fool Rule Breaker scorecard, plus get all our updates and reports, plus access to the members-only website that archives everything covered by Motley Fool Rule Breakers at the regular membership rate of $299 -- a bargain in itself.
But when you join us through this special email offer today...
you can knock $150 right off the top!
No other team will work harder on your behalf -- doing all the research, making the contacts, poring over the financial books, doing the key calculations -- to make sure you get the best investments for the months and years ahead!
Want an even better deal? You're in luck! When you join us through this limited-time special offer, you can get 2 full years of Rule Breakers for just $289 -- that's 42% less than what other investors have gladly paid for our cutting-edge investing advice and wealth-building stock picks.
To take advantage of this limited-time discount and get started with Rule Breakers, all you have to do is click here.
Here's everything you'll get when you join us today...
The 3 Kings of Cloud ComputingThe 3 Kings of Cloud Computing: Reveals The Motley Fool's top 3 cloud computing plays and shows you exactly how to position yourself to cash in on the coming investment boom. Remember, we're at a technological tipping point. The cloud computing revolution has already begun -- and the big money is about to be made! Plus, we'll send you the just-released write-up of "The New King of Cloud Computing."
High-growth stock opportunities in every issue: Every issue of Motley Fool Rule Breakers features two picks from sectors like biotech, nanotech, next-generation technologies, and alternative energy. We're not a fan of "sound-bites." Every stock we select comes with an in-depth company profile, product description, competitive analysis, risk analysis, and discussion of the company's finances and sales prospects. Plus, you get your tough questions answered in the detailed Q&A.
Updates on all your Rule Breakers companies: Let's face it. These stocks are fast movers in a rapidly changing investment landscape. A lot can happen in a short amount of time. That's why you get weekly updates online and via email on news that affects your Rule Breakers companies.
Valuable insight and feedback from our Rule Breakers network: Got an investing question? Post it on the board. Odds are that another Rule Breaker or one of our analysts will have the answer you're looking for. Every day you can talk with folks who are out there in the market, digging deep to find those next breakthrough investments that could hand you a lifetime of wealth.
The scoop on every single Rule Breakers recommendation -- in real time: You can see every single stock ever recommended in Rule Breakers the moment you join. Our scorecard gives you the current return on every stock -- both winners and losers -- and lets you keep track of how we're doing relative to the S&P 500. You can click through to get more information on all our picks from back issues, updates, discussion boards, and much more.
An archive of in-depth CEO interviews available nowhere else: Over the years, David Gardner has sat down with top CEOs and power players like Jeff Bezos... Meg Whitman... Mark Cuban... John Bogle... Terry Semel... and Howard Schultz. As part of the Rule Breakers family, you'll have exclusive access to all the powerful moneymaking insights and timely profit opportunities they revealed to him.
And if you join us right now we'll send also you TWO of the most valuable special reports we've ever put together here at The Motley Fool, PLUS the prompt-action bonus detailed below (a $99 value) -- ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Add it up and your special discounts and FREE reports total more than $300.
That's my gift to you... just for giving David Gardner and Motley Fool Rule Breakers a chance to help you build an investment fortune. Have a look...
Let's quickly review what you get when you join today...
The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing and The NEW King of Cloud Computing
David Gardner's special report, "The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing", plus "The NEW King of Cloud Computing" (a $29 value)... gives you everything you need to get invested in the amazing cloud computing powerhouses I've told you about today.
Millionaire Makers: The 3 Biggest Growth Stories of the Coming Decade
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Cloud Slam 2010 - 2nd Annual Virtual Conference on Cloud Com
Admin Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:30 pm
http://cloudslam10.com/
March 23-25, 2010
The Conference is the world's premier cloud computing event, covering technology, business models, industry experiences, legal aspects, research, development and innovations in the world of cloud computing.
* Home
* About
* Program
* Registration
* Call for Proposals
* FAQ
* Sponsors
* News & Press
* Contact Us
Navigation
* Home
* About
* Program
* Registration
* Call for Proposals
* FAQ
* Sponsors
* News & Press
* Contact Us
Contact Us
General Questions:
E-mail: info@cloudslam.org
Phone: 1-510-984-2312
Website Contact Form
Media Relations:
media@cloudslam.org
Sponsorship:
sponsors@cloudslam.org
Archives
* Get Access to Cloud Slam '09 Video Archive
* Cloud Slam '09 Event Calendar
* Cloud Slam '09 Keynotes
DVD in Windows Media Video Format
cloud computing conference
Audio MP3 CD set (4 discs)
cloud computing conference
Keynotes on DVD in NTSC Format
cloud computing conference
Networking Buzz
Our social network exclusively for conference attendees, allows you to find people who share your similar interests. Connect with them now to make your conference experience a more profitable one. Membership will stay operational so you can stay in touch with attendees and speakers prior to, during and after the event. Read latest posts.
Stay Connected
RSS Feed - Latest Submissions cloud computing conference
Bookmark and Share
Media Partners
DreamSimplicity.com
CloudICT
WELCOME!
The 2nd Annual Virtual Conference on Cloud Computing! It is hosted online March 23-25, 2009.
This conference is the global cloud computing event, covering latest trends and innovations in the world of cloud computing. Conference panels, workshops, and tutorials are selected to cover a range of the hottest topics in cloud computing.
Descriptions of our conference tracks are presented below.
* Technology.
* Implementation Experiences from Various Industries.
* Legal Aspects.
* Security.
* Business Models.
* Research.
Prospective speakers
You are cordially invited to participate in Cloud Slam 2010 through paper submission, a workshop or a special session organization, a tutorial, an invited speech, a demo, a poster, an exhibit, a panel discussion, whichever sounds more appropriate and convenient to you.
The conference will include invited presentations by experts from academia, industry, and government as well as contributed paper presentations describing original work on the current state of research cloud computing, their use in business, their design, performance and use, and their applications.
There will also be tutorial sessions, workshops, special sessions, demos, posters, panel discussions.
Click here for more infromation.
List of Latest Submissions
Cloud Computing For Everyone
Keywords: Cloud Analytics, Big Data, Parallel Processing, Realtime Web Mining, Cloud Platform
Authors: Bill McColl, Cloudscale Inc.
Abstract: Experienced programmers are already exploiting tools such as MapReduce/Hadoop for processing large repositories of stored, historical data. The next major post-SQL revolution will be in bringing the full power of advanced data mining and analytics, realtime stream processing, and massively parallel computing to everyone, not just to experienced programmers.
* Read more
CFO Requirements for Cloud Computing
Keywords: Cloud, Financial, Business Case.
Authors: Alex Rosen and Hjalmer Danielson, MomentumSI.
Abstract: Cloud Computing is significant for the CFO as it provides the ability to transform capital expenditures into operations expenditures, while aligning more closely data center capacity with business activity.
The goal of this presentation is to explore the impact of Cloud Computing on IT costs and help you define requirements for IT transformation initiatives in terms of operating model, deployment model and migration approaches. We will also explore the basics of what Cloud Computing is and introduce the important elements and considerations of a Cloud Initiative business case.
Plan, Build & Run Your Enterprise Cloud
Keywords: Cloud Adoption Timelines, Cloud Budgets, Cloud computing risk and reward perspectives
Authors: Alex Rosen and Hjalmer Danielson, MomentumSI.
Abstract: Organizations who are investigating cloud computing will benefit from this practical session which outlines the major steps and decisions they will face. The session covers the cloud computing journey from inception to being a fully operational model. Several dimensions are covered including, private cloud enablement, integrating with public clouds, utilizing cloud governance software, modifying I.T. processes and implementing the associated change management program.
How to Roll Your Own Cloud in 30 Days or Less
Keywords: private clouds, internal clouds, hypervisor, cloud computing, infrastructure clouds
Authors: Sheng Liang, VMOps.
Abstract: The benefits of private clouds are fairly well documented, but at the end of the day, the best way to gauge the value of this computing model within an enterprise is to jump in and start small. However, starting small doesn’t mean sacrificing functionality like elasticity, self service, programmatic access, and automation. In this session, technology visionary and creator of the Java Virtual Machine at Sun Microsystems, Sheng Liang, will discuss how to set-up a small private cloud using commodity infrastructure. Mr. Sheng will present the challenges and potential pitfalls associated with rolling your own cloud. He will explain how to evaluate cloud software platforms, and select the right servers, storage, hypervisor, and networking infrastructure.
Amazon SimpleDB and Data Replication Best Practices (@ Netflix)
Keywords: Amazon SimpleDB, Consistency, CAP Theorem, Data Replication
Authors: Siddharth Anand, Netflix.
Abstract: The CAP theorem states that we can optimize for 2 of 'C', 'A', and 'P'. The recent sudden increase in interest in key-value stores acknowledges that optimizing for 'A' and 'P' best fits the needs of eCommerce sites like Netflix. What does it take to move companies like Netflix away from its dependence on availability-limited, strongly consistency RDBMSs towards key-value stores like SimpleDB? What does it take to accept writes in multiple cloud regions and in our Data Center while keeping all copies consistent? How do applications designed for RDBMSs need to change to leverage key-value stores? Come and find out.
Setting Up a Channel for the Cloud
Keywords: Channel, Distribution, Indirect business model, Resellers, VARs
Authors: Laurent Glaenzer, Lemon Operations.
Abstract: As a Company specialized in recruiting and developing channel partners for IT Companies in EMEA and in the US, we have been confronted a number of times with the challenge of setting up the right channel for Cloud applications.
* Read more
Cloud Computing Vendor Landscape
Keywords: Vendors, Cloud Computing
Authors: Larry Carvalho, RobustCloud.
Abstract: As cloud computing evolves, there are several solutions available for customers to choose from. This presentation will map cloud computing challenges with vendor solutions, capabilities and the markets that they address. Customers can use information gained to understand the cloud computing ecosystem and make informed decisions.
Architecting Software Applications for Private / Enterprise Cloud
Keywords: Cloud, Cloud Computing, Architecture, Virtualization, Resource Managment
Authors: Charlton Barreto, Intel.
Abstract: Enterprises are exploring ways to take advantage of cloud computing economies of scale. To support these enterprise needs, software vendors see the opportunity to architect their applications to run in the private or enterprise clouds. This session will provide technical insights into architecting software applications to work well in private or enterprise clouds and discusses the associated cloud management services. Focus areas include virtualization, SaaS architectures, policy based resource management and monitoring controls. A real world example will be used to illustrate the methodology in re-architecting a traditional application to be cloud ready.
Dynamic Cloud Caches
Keywords: Rightscale, CDN Manager, Dynamic Caching, Amazon EC2
Authors: Max Robbins, aiCache.
Abstract: Talk about deploying Geo aware web caches using DNS to route traffic in the cloud. Dynamic Cloud Caches (DCC's), provide the business flexibility of cloud computing, the power of dynamic content acceleration and the global reach of the CDN. Move content closer to the user by routing requests to the closest cache.
- East Coast United States (Virginia)
- West Coast United States (California)
- Europe (Ireland)
- Asia (Coming summer 2010)
Dynamic content acceleration to reduce content generation time, increase simultaneous users, cut cost.
Real time reporting on over 100 stats via CLI, SNMP, WEB
No commitments, no minimums, no contracts.
Ecosystem is the killer app for cloud computing
Keywords: cloud computing, ecosystem, platform as a service
Authors: Chris Keene, WaveMaker Software.
Abstract: Like all over-hyped technologies, cloud is touted as being the magic salve that cures all IT ills. But what is the cloud really good for and what "killer app" will come out of cloud computing? Just as the internet browser provided a fertile ecosystem for an explosion of interconnected client applications, the cloud development platform will provide an ecosystem for connecting server applications.
In short, ecosystem is the killer app for cloud computing. This presentation will draw on customer case studies and best practices spanning ISV, enterprise and government usage of cloud computing.
Speaker Bio
* Read more
Patterns for Cloud Computing
Keywords: patterns, cloud computing, windows azure
Authors: Simon Guest.
Abstract: You are interested in cloud computing, but where do you start? How are vendors defining Cloud Computing? What do you need to know to figure out which applications make sense in the cloud? And is any of this real today?
Based on real-world customer engagements, this session explores a set of five patterns that you can use for moving to the cloud, together with working samples on Windows Azure, Google AppEngine, and Amazon EC2. Avoiding the general product pitches, this session provides the tools and knowledge to help you more clearly understand moving your organization to the cloud.
The Emergence of ITaS
Keywords: Business, Sales, ITaS, SaaS, Virtualization
Authors: Kevin Epstein and Zvi Guterman, CloudShare.
Abstract: There is a shift in the way IT is being thought of and provided, from static machine-based to dynamic, user-based service.
IT-as-a-Service, providing IT as instantly replicable, fully-functional, online IT environments is a new approach that takes away the cost and pain of shifting infrastructure and applications to meet the needs of business, setting up IT as-needed, on-demand.
Leading technology vendors, including Cisco, VMware, Websense and SAP, have outsourced their needs, sourcing this on-demand Cloud-based approach from external vendors. The result? These companies have seen the productivity of their IT teams in the related areas increase significantly, while reducing costs and improving end-user experience.
* Read more
Using Technology to Sell Technology
Keywords: Business, Sales, ITaS, SaaS, Virtualization
Authors: Kevin Epstein and Zvi Guterman, CloudShare.
Abstract: There is a shift in how enterprise technology is being bought and sold. The weak economy is imparting a certain sense of urgency to introduce efficiencies into the sales process, but at the same time resources are scarcer than ever.
Virtual sales engagements conducted in fully-functional, Cloud-based IT environments are a new approach that takes away the cost and pain of conducting numerous hands-on demos, setting up on-site customer evaluations, extended proof-of-concept projects and post-sales training.
* Read more
The Context-Aware Cloud
Keywords: Mobility, Mesh, Public Cloud, Private Cloud, PaaS
Authors: Charlton Barreto, Intel
Abstract: Emerging cloud computing models put the user at the center of their "digital world" by creating a "mesh" of devices, data and applications. The goal is to make the user experience seamless by allowing individuals to access and share their applications and data on any of their devices, anytime, anywhere. This evolution is compelling when one considers the increasing ratio of devices to users, and how these capabilities are being extended from consumer markets to the enterprise.
* Read more
How Cloud Transforms Models, Architectures and Usage for Business and IT
Keywords: Architectures, Models, Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Business
Authors: Charlton Barreto, Intel
Abstract: Cloud Computing is rapidly changing the face of business and computing, through its value proposition and transformation of models, architectures and usage. This session covers these disruptions and changes of business models, the business value they engender, and the areas for the new Cloud Operating Environment required for their success. Included is a discussion of Public and Private Cloud, what they represent to consumers, small-medium business and the enterprise, and how they enable each market to achieve the full flexibility and benefits of Cloud. The session will focus on various examples in the consumer, small-medium business, and enterprise markets; and the architectural transformational efforts these organisations employ to harness the power of cloud, deliver new business performance, and reduce Total Cost of Ownership.
Shards of Content Need Centralized Information Governance
Keywords: archiving, email, ediscovery, compliance, storage
Authors: Greg Arnette, Sonian
Abstract: Overflowing in-boxes, maxed out email servers, and now even more places for employees to generate content. Enterprises are implementing new collaboration systems (Sharepoint, GDocs, ZoHo) for document sharing, which means employees will have more options beyond email to collaborate internally with each other and externally with customers, vendors, friends & family. These new capabilities mean there are growing “shards of content” data silos in the enterprise that need to be captured and archived for compliance, e-discovery, storage management and universal information governance best practices.
In this session, Sonian founder and CTO Greg Arnette will explain the shortfalls to installed archiving software and discuss why the optimal solution to this problem is a centralized archiving service, powered by cloud-scale infrastructure as a service.
SAP Moves to/from Cloud with VAA
Keywords: SAP, Cloud, SAP landscape
Authors: Christopher M. Carter
Abstract: As hype cools and work gets under way, there is a general hunger for practical, experience-based advice. Follow a real world customer's use of a single gold server-application image for cross-domain provisioning of the data center, to multiple clouds and back.
The ability to move server-based SAP applications across virtual machines without any modifications, freed this Fortune 100 company from infrastructure lock-in. The multiplier effect of that freedom across the data center to *clouds, where "*" == any combination of Disaster Cloud, Private Cloud, Public Cloud, Hybrid Cloud or any combination of cloud vendors' offerings.
1. SAP Can be used in the cloud for 75% of your landscape
2. Infrastructure cost can be reduced as well as maintained time
3. Freedom to chose in your SAP landscape and upgrades
A real SAP Landscape in the "Clouds"
Keywords: SAP, Cloud, ECC6, VMware
Authors: Christopher M. Carter
Abstract: Can SAP run in the "Clouds"? wanna touch a real landscape running in the clouds? Now is your chance to see the benefit, understand the ease of usage and to grab the bull by the horns and ride the cloud with a SAP landscape. Business Suite 7, CRM2007, BI7 and sol man...with PI, EP, IS systems touched on as well!
Cloud Computing: Who's watching your back?
Keywords: security, business continuity, disaster recovery
Authors: Ron LaPedis, Seacliff Partners International, LLC.
Abstract: Cloud computing is all the rage, with Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (S3), Agathon Group, ElasticHosts, and dozens of other providers available to you. Amazon S3 was down for nearly 8 hours on July 20, 2008, Gmail has suffered multiple outages of up to 2 1/2 hours affecting more than 113 million users, Ma.gnolia bookmarking service suffered a database failure, and Carbonite lost data belonging to 7,500 customers. Most recently, thousands of T-Mobile Sidekick users lost access to their cloud-based data for several weeks.
Would an outage of any length affect your company?
Do you have a business continuity plan should your hosted applications or data go offline, become corrupted, or destroyed?
* Read more
Using Virtualization to Prepare Your Data Center for 'Real-time Assurance of Business Continuity'
Keywords: Virtual Data Center, Real Time Business Continuity, Virtualization, Information Technology, Cloud Computing
Authors: Dr. Rao Mikkilineni, Kawa Objects Inc. and Gopal Kankanhalli, VirtualXL Inc.
Abstract: This paper describes our experience using the dynamic resource reallocation capabilities offered by virtualization technologies, in implementing:
1. Automation of end-to-end failover of mission critical virtualized application, a SAN network and EMC Clarion based storage to a remote site
2. On-demand and scheduled assurance of failover and
3. On-demand and scheduled measurement of RPO and RTO (The Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is the point in time to which you must recover data as dictated by business needs. Recovery Time Objective (RTO) is the period of time after an outage in which the application and its data must be restored to a predetermined state defined by RPO.)
* Read more
Unified Communications in the Enterprise
Keywords: Unified Communications, Hosted OCS, Alteva, Broadsoft, Microsoft
Authors: William Bumbernick, Alteva and David Bukovsky, Broadsoft
Abstract: Today's corporate landscape demands that employees be able to work virtually anywhere and collaborate in real time. In order to maintain a durable competitive advantage, telecom service providers must bring together carrier-grade communications with desktop and CRM applications into one integrated solution. This will include traditional communications technologies like voice & data, presence, instant messaging, video and web conferencing, as well as corporate productivity applications like workflow, process management and CRM, meeting the needs of the enterprise.
* Read more
Google For Business
Keywords: google, webiit
Authors: Mike Cachine, Webiit Communications
Abstract: Real time collaboration in the cloud -sharing and revising documents, spreadsheets and presentations without emailing attachments. Intranets / Extranets for sharing information with employees, customers and partners.
Creating a Cloud Application Migration Strategy
Keywords: application, migration, TCO, case study
Authors: Bernard Golden, HyperStratus
Abstract: As companies work to reduce their IT spend, one obvious initiative is to migrate existing applications from an internal data center to a cloud provider. However, many questions arise: how to choose the applications, what criteria to focus on, what barriers to migration may exist.
Using a real-world case study, Bernard Golden will present the HyperStratus application migration decision matrix and how it was used for the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. In addition, he will discuss the TCO savings of the migration project and how cloud computing helped the Foundation achieve its core mission.
Syndicate content
March 23-25, 2010
The Conference is the world's premier cloud computing event, covering technology, business models, industry experiences, legal aspects, research, development and innovations in the world of cloud computing.
* Home
* About
* Program
* Registration
* Call for Proposals
* FAQ
* Sponsors
* News & Press
* Contact Us
Navigation
* Home
* About
* Program
* Registration
* Call for Proposals
* FAQ
* Sponsors
* News & Press
* Contact Us
Contact Us
General Questions:
E-mail: info@cloudslam.org
Phone: 1-510-984-2312
Website Contact Form
Media Relations:
media@cloudslam.org
Sponsorship:
sponsors@cloudslam.org
Archives
* Get Access to Cloud Slam '09 Video Archive
* Cloud Slam '09 Event Calendar
* Cloud Slam '09 Keynotes
DVD in Windows Media Video Format
cloud computing conference
Audio MP3 CD set (4 discs)
cloud computing conference
Keynotes on DVD in NTSC Format
cloud computing conference
Networking Buzz
Our social network exclusively for conference attendees, allows you to find people who share your similar interests. Connect with them now to make your conference experience a more profitable one. Membership will stay operational so you can stay in touch with attendees and speakers prior to, during and after the event. Read latest posts.
Stay Connected
RSS Feed - Latest Submissions cloud computing conference
Bookmark and Share
Media Partners
DreamSimplicity.com
CloudICT
WELCOME!
The 2nd Annual Virtual Conference on Cloud Computing! It is hosted online March 23-25, 2009.
This conference is the global cloud computing event, covering latest trends and innovations in the world of cloud computing. Conference panels, workshops, and tutorials are selected to cover a range of the hottest topics in cloud computing.
Descriptions of our conference tracks are presented below.
* Technology.
* Implementation Experiences from Various Industries.
* Legal Aspects.
* Security.
* Business Models.
* Research.
Prospective speakers
You are cordially invited to participate in Cloud Slam 2010 through paper submission, a workshop or a special session organization, a tutorial, an invited speech, a demo, a poster, an exhibit, a panel discussion, whichever sounds more appropriate and convenient to you.
The conference will include invited presentations by experts from academia, industry, and government as well as contributed paper presentations describing original work on the current state of research cloud computing, their use in business, their design, performance and use, and their applications.
There will also be tutorial sessions, workshops, special sessions, demos, posters, panel discussions.
Click here for more infromation.
List of Latest Submissions
Cloud Computing For Everyone
Keywords: Cloud Analytics, Big Data, Parallel Processing, Realtime Web Mining, Cloud Platform
Authors: Bill McColl, Cloudscale Inc.
Abstract: Experienced programmers are already exploiting tools such as MapReduce/Hadoop for processing large repositories of stored, historical data. The next major post-SQL revolution will be in bringing the full power of advanced data mining and analytics, realtime stream processing, and massively parallel computing to everyone, not just to experienced programmers.
* Read more
CFO Requirements for Cloud Computing
Keywords: Cloud, Financial, Business Case.
Authors: Alex Rosen and Hjalmer Danielson, MomentumSI.
Abstract: Cloud Computing is significant for the CFO as it provides the ability to transform capital expenditures into operations expenditures, while aligning more closely data center capacity with business activity.
The goal of this presentation is to explore the impact of Cloud Computing on IT costs and help you define requirements for IT transformation initiatives in terms of operating model, deployment model and migration approaches. We will also explore the basics of what Cloud Computing is and introduce the important elements and considerations of a Cloud Initiative business case.
Plan, Build & Run Your Enterprise Cloud
Keywords: Cloud Adoption Timelines, Cloud Budgets, Cloud computing risk and reward perspectives
Authors: Alex Rosen and Hjalmer Danielson, MomentumSI.
Abstract: Organizations who are investigating cloud computing will benefit from this practical session which outlines the major steps and decisions they will face. The session covers the cloud computing journey from inception to being a fully operational model. Several dimensions are covered including, private cloud enablement, integrating with public clouds, utilizing cloud governance software, modifying I.T. processes and implementing the associated change management program.
How to Roll Your Own Cloud in 30 Days or Less
Keywords: private clouds, internal clouds, hypervisor, cloud computing, infrastructure clouds
Authors: Sheng Liang, VMOps.
Abstract: The benefits of private clouds are fairly well documented, but at the end of the day, the best way to gauge the value of this computing model within an enterprise is to jump in and start small. However, starting small doesn’t mean sacrificing functionality like elasticity, self service, programmatic access, and automation. In this session, technology visionary and creator of the Java Virtual Machine at Sun Microsystems, Sheng Liang, will discuss how to set-up a small private cloud using commodity infrastructure. Mr. Sheng will present the challenges and potential pitfalls associated with rolling your own cloud. He will explain how to evaluate cloud software platforms, and select the right servers, storage, hypervisor, and networking infrastructure.
Amazon SimpleDB and Data Replication Best Practices (@ Netflix)
Keywords: Amazon SimpleDB, Consistency, CAP Theorem, Data Replication
Authors: Siddharth Anand, Netflix.
Abstract: The CAP theorem states that we can optimize for 2 of 'C', 'A', and 'P'. The recent sudden increase in interest in key-value stores acknowledges that optimizing for 'A' and 'P' best fits the needs of eCommerce sites like Netflix. What does it take to move companies like Netflix away from its dependence on availability-limited, strongly consistency RDBMSs towards key-value stores like SimpleDB? What does it take to accept writes in multiple cloud regions and in our Data Center while keeping all copies consistent? How do applications designed for RDBMSs need to change to leverage key-value stores? Come and find out.
Setting Up a Channel for the Cloud
Keywords: Channel, Distribution, Indirect business model, Resellers, VARs
Authors: Laurent Glaenzer, Lemon Operations.
Abstract: As a Company specialized in recruiting and developing channel partners for IT Companies in EMEA and in the US, we have been confronted a number of times with the challenge of setting up the right channel for Cloud applications.
* Read more
Cloud Computing Vendor Landscape
Keywords: Vendors, Cloud Computing
Authors: Larry Carvalho, RobustCloud.
Abstract: As cloud computing evolves, there are several solutions available for customers to choose from. This presentation will map cloud computing challenges with vendor solutions, capabilities and the markets that they address. Customers can use information gained to understand the cloud computing ecosystem and make informed decisions.
Architecting Software Applications for Private / Enterprise Cloud
Keywords: Cloud, Cloud Computing, Architecture, Virtualization, Resource Managment
Authors: Charlton Barreto, Intel.
Abstract: Enterprises are exploring ways to take advantage of cloud computing economies of scale. To support these enterprise needs, software vendors see the opportunity to architect their applications to run in the private or enterprise clouds. This session will provide technical insights into architecting software applications to work well in private or enterprise clouds and discusses the associated cloud management services. Focus areas include virtualization, SaaS architectures, policy based resource management and monitoring controls. A real world example will be used to illustrate the methodology in re-architecting a traditional application to be cloud ready.
Dynamic Cloud Caches
Keywords: Rightscale, CDN Manager, Dynamic Caching, Amazon EC2
Authors: Max Robbins, aiCache.
Abstract: Talk about deploying Geo aware web caches using DNS to route traffic in the cloud. Dynamic Cloud Caches (DCC's), provide the business flexibility of cloud computing, the power of dynamic content acceleration and the global reach of the CDN. Move content closer to the user by routing requests to the closest cache.
- East Coast United States (Virginia)
- West Coast United States (California)
- Europe (Ireland)
- Asia (Coming summer 2010)
Dynamic content acceleration to reduce content generation time, increase simultaneous users, cut cost.
Real time reporting on over 100 stats via CLI, SNMP, WEB
No commitments, no minimums, no contracts.
Ecosystem is the killer app for cloud computing
Keywords: cloud computing, ecosystem, platform as a service
Authors: Chris Keene, WaveMaker Software.
Abstract: Like all over-hyped technologies, cloud is touted as being the magic salve that cures all IT ills. But what is the cloud really good for and what "killer app" will come out of cloud computing? Just as the internet browser provided a fertile ecosystem for an explosion of interconnected client applications, the cloud development platform will provide an ecosystem for connecting server applications.
In short, ecosystem is the killer app for cloud computing. This presentation will draw on customer case studies and best practices spanning ISV, enterprise and government usage of cloud computing.
Speaker Bio
* Read more
Patterns for Cloud Computing
Keywords: patterns, cloud computing, windows azure
Authors: Simon Guest.
Abstract: You are interested in cloud computing, but where do you start? How are vendors defining Cloud Computing? What do you need to know to figure out which applications make sense in the cloud? And is any of this real today?
Based on real-world customer engagements, this session explores a set of five patterns that you can use for moving to the cloud, together with working samples on Windows Azure, Google AppEngine, and Amazon EC2. Avoiding the general product pitches, this session provides the tools and knowledge to help you more clearly understand moving your organization to the cloud.
The Emergence of ITaS
Keywords: Business, Sales, ITaS, SaaS, Virtualization
Authors: Kevin Epstein and Zvi Guterman, CloudShare.
Abstract: There is a shift in the way IT is being thought of and provided, from static machine-based to dynamic, user-based service.
IT-as-a-Service, providing IT as instantly replicable, fully-functional, online IT environments is a new approach that takes away the cost and pain of shifting infrastructure and applications to meet the needs of business, setting up IT as-needed, on-demand.
Leading technology vendors, including Cisco, VMware, Websense and SAP, have outsourced their needs, sourcing this on-demand Cloud-based approach from external vendors. The result? These companies have seen the productivity of their IT teams in the related areas increase significantly, while reducing costs and improving end-user experience.
* Read more
Using Technology to Sell Technology
Keywords: Business, Sales, ITaS, SaaS, Virtualization
Authors: Kevin Epstein and Zvi Guterman, CloudShare.
Abstract: There is a shift in how enterprise technology is being bought and sold. The weak economy is imparting a certain sense of urgency to introduce efficiencies into the sales process, but at the same time resources are scarcer than ever.
Virtual sales engagements conducted in fully-functional, Cloud-based IT environments are a new approach that takes away the cost and pain of conducting numerous hands-on demos, setting up on-site customer evaluations, extended proof-of-concept projects and post-sales training.
* Read more
The Context-Aware Cloud
Keywords: Mobility, Mesh, Public Cloud, Private Cloud, PaaS
Authors: Charlton Barreto, Intel
Abstract: Emerging cloud computing models put the user at the center of their "digital world" by creating a "mesh" of devices, data and applications. The goal is to make the user experience seamless by allowing individuals to access and share their applications and data on any of their devices, anytime, anywhere. This evolution is compelling when one considers the increasing ratio of devices to users, and how these capabilities are being extended from consumer markets to the enterprise.
* Read more
How Cloud Transforms Models, Architectures and Usage for Business and IT
Keywords: Architectures, Models, Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Business
Authors: Charlton Barreto, Intel
Abstract: Cloud Computing is rapidly changing the face of business and computing, through its value proposition and transformation of models, architectures and usage. This session covers these disruptions and changes of business models, the business value they engender, and the areas for the new Cloud Operating Environment required for their success. Included is a discussion of Public and Private Cloud, what they represent to consumers, small-medium business and the enterprise, and how they enable each market to achieve the full flexibility and benefits of Cloud. The session will focus on various examples in the consumer, small-medium business, and enterprise markets; and the architectural transformational efforts these organisations employ to harness the power of cloud, deliver new business performance, and reduce Total Cost of Ownership.
Shards of Content Need Centralized Information Governance
Keywords: archiving, email, ediscovery, compliance, storage
Authors: Greg Arnette, Sonian
Abstract: Overflowing in-boxes, maxed out email servers, and now even more places for employees to generate content. Enterprises are implementing new collaboration systems (Sharepoint, GDocs, ZoHo) for document sharing, which means employees will have more options beyond email to collaborate internally with each other and externally with customers, vendors, friends & family. These new capabilities mean there are growing “shards of content” data silos in the enterprise that need to be captured and archived for compliance, e-discovery, storage management and universal information governance best practices.
In this session, Sonian founder and CTO Greg Arnette will explain the shortfalls to installed archiving software and discuss why the optimal solution to this problem is a centralized archiving service, powered by cloud-scale infrastructure as a service.
SAP Moves to/from Cloud with VAA
Keywords: SAP, Cloud, SAP landscape
Authors: Christopher M. Carter
Abstract: As hype cools and work gets under way, there is a general hunger for practical, experience-based advice. Follow a real world customer's use of a single gold server-application image for cross-domain provisioning of the data center, to multiple clouds and back.
The ability to move server-based SAP applications across virtual machines without any modifications, freed this Fortune 100 company from infrastructure lock-in. The multiplier effect of that freedom across the data center to *clouds, where "*" == any combination of Disaster Cloud, Private Cloud, Public Cloud, Hybrid Cloud or any combination of cloud vendors' offerings.
1. SAP Can be used in the cloud for 75% of your landscape
2. Infrastructure cost can be reduced as well as maintained time
3. Freedom to chose in your SAP landscape and upgrades
A real SAP Landscape in the "Clouds"
Keywords: SAP, Cloud, ECC6, VMware
Authors: Christopher M. Carter
Abstract: Can SAP run in the "Clouds"? wanna touch a real landscape running in the clouds? Now is your chance to see the benefit, understand the ease of usage and to grab the bull by the horns and ride the cloud with a SAP landscape. Business Suite 7, CRM2007, BI7 and sol man...with PI, EP, IS systems touched on as well!
Cloud Computing: Who's watching your back?
Keywords: security, business continuity, disaster recovery
Authors: Ron LaPedis, Seacliff Partners International, LLC.
Abstract: Cloud computing is all the rage, with Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (S3), Agathon Group, ElasticHosts, and dozens of other providers available to you. Amazon S3 was down for nearly 8 hours on July 20, 2008, Gmail has suffered multiple outages of up to 2 1/2 hours affecting more than 113 million users, Ma.gnolia bookmarking service suffered a database failure, and Carbonite lost data belonging to 7,500 customers. Most recently, thousands of T-Mobile Sidekick users lost access to their cloud-based data for several weeks.
Would an outage of any length affect your company?
Do you have a business continuity plan should your hosted applications or data go offline, become corrupted, or destroyed?
* Read more
Using Virtualization to Prepare Your Data Center for 'Real-time Assurance of Business Continuity'
Keywords: Virtual Data Center, Real Time Business Continuity, Virtualization, Information Technology, Cloud Computing
Authors: Dr. Rao Mikkilineni, Kawa Objects Inc. and Gopal Kankanhalli, VirtualXL Inc.
Abstract: This paper describes our experience using the dynamic resource reallocation capabilities offered by virtualization technologies, in implementing:
1. Automation of end-to-end failover of mission critical virtualized application, a SAN network and EMC Clarion based storage to a remote site
2. On-demand and scheduled assurance of failover and
3. On-demand and scheduled measurement of RPO and RTO (The Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is the point in time to which you must recover data as dictated by business needs. Recovery Time Objective (RTO) is the period of time after an outage in which the application and its data must be restored to a predetermined state defined by RPO.)
* Read more
Unified Communications in the Enterprise
Keywords: Unified Communications, Hosted OCS, Alteva, Broadsoft, Microsoft
Authors: William Bumbernick, Alteva and David Bukovsky, Broadsoft
Abstract: Today's corporate landscape demands that employees be able to work virtually anywhere and collaborate in real time. In order to maintain a durable competitive advantage, telecom service providers must bring together carrier-grade communications with desktop and CRM applications into one integrated solution. This will include traditional communications technologies like voice & data, presence, instant messaging, video and web conferencing, as well as corporate productivity applications like workflow, process management and CRM, meeting the needs of the enterprise.
* Read more
Google For Business
Keywords: google, webiit
Authors: Mike Cachine, Webiit Communications
Abstract: Real time collaboration in the cloud -sharing and revising documents, spreadsheets and presentations without emailing attachments. Intranets / Extranets for sharing information with employees, customers and partners.
Creating a Cloud Application Migration Strategy
Keywords: application, migration, TCO, case study
Authors: Bernard Golden, HyperStratus
Abstract: As companies work to reduce their IT spend, one obvious initiative is to migrate existing applications from an internal data center to a cloud provider. However, many questions arise: how to choose the applications, what criteria to focus on, what barriers to migration may exist.
Using a real-world case study, Bernard Golden will present the HyperStratus application migration decision matrix and how it was used for the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. In addition, he will discuss the TCO savings of the migration project and how cloud computing helped the Foundation achieve its core mission.
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