Recent Google Hack

I read an interesting article on the recent hack into Google “Is Google hack an attack on cloud computing?” by Jon Brodkin, Network World. Google was hacked but the hack was through social engineering. The argument is that since the hack was through social engineering that this can happen anywhere. It is not really a hack on cloud computing. However, it does undermine cloud computing so it is a hack on cloud computing. It is also an attack on the use of the biggest supplier of a solution. Similar to the concept of most email attacks target Microsoft email because it is most widely used. If Google is the most widely used cloud provider it may be the biggest target for attacks on the cloud.

Article: “Is Google hack an attack on cloud computing?” by Jon Brodkin, Network World:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/011510-google-hack-cloud-computing.html

Hosted Exchange Lessons Learned / Best Practices

We have been offering hosted exchange for a few years now. There are three key steps to ensuring an effective move to a hosted email environment:

1. CALCULATE YOUR BANDWIDTH
The first crucial step involves calculating user bandwidth requirements for your new hosted solution. Add this to the bandwidth you are currently using (call your ISP to find out the number). The result will let you know if you need to upgrade your internet service before implementation.

2. RIGHTSIZE YOUR MAILBOXES
Migrations are time consuming. Optimize your time by reducing the size of the mailboxes. Delete sent items, unused folders, and archive old date to a .PST file.

3. INCLUDE TRAINING IN YOUR PLAN
Users will have a new User Control Panel in the hosted environment. The User Control Panel allows everyone to customize their personal email settings. Training is the last step in a smooth transition to the hosted environment for your organization.

Intel Virtualization White Paper

Intel internal IT released a White Paper “Implementing and expanding a virtual environment” by Bill Sunderland and Steve Anderson. It is their experience implementing the virtual environment at Intel. The white paper states they are getting 10:1 ratio on their server consolidation and 15:1 on storage. They have only consolidated 10% - 20% of their environment with a goal of going to 70% - 80%. 10:1 Consolidation is actually low, many companies are now seeing 20:1 and 30:1 with the latest virtualization technology! It is a very detailed and technical document but I think worth reading. You realize even Intel has to do the same analysis and planning as everyone else.

http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-4724

Exchange 2010

Exchange 2010 has been out for a month now so it is time to take a closer look. Here are the key benefits:

1. Controlling Cost:
a. Improved performance with 90% reduction in Disk IO.
b. Lower cost of storage by leveraging DAS/JBOD with larger mailboxes
c. Simplified administration

2. Enabling Mobile Work Force:
a. Broad device support
b. Phone-base access to inbox
c. Great Outlook based experience to mailbox

3. Managing Risk:
a. Moderate, encrypt, and block sensitive data
b. Efficient data management by eliminating PSTs
c. Simplified compliance with granular retention policies and mailbox search

Microsoft Exchange 2010 free ebook:
http://ow.ly/YL6n

Cloud Computing Growth

Gartner recently predicted significant growth in cloud computing stating 20% of companies would be completely cloud based by 2010 and reach 11% of the market this year. The growth is primarily from companies that have already implemented cloud computing. The implication is that if you try it you will love it.

Last year in April I posted an article on the growth rate of cloud computing: How much of the Market is Cloud Computing? At that time I calculated cloud computing to be about 2% of IT spending and that it would grow to 10% by 2019. Gartner's prediction of 20% of businesses will be completely using cloud computing is considerably higher than the information less than a year ago. It appears that cloud computing is growing more rapidly than expected!

It is time to take a closer look at using the cloud and creating a plan for your business.

This quote from Bill Gates sums it up:
"The next sea change is upon us."

CIO Magazine Article:
http://ow.ly/WraP


Article: “Cloud computing’s only for grown ups, survey says” by Carl Brooks: http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid201_gci1379117,00.html

Tech Spending Growth in 2010

Forrester released a prediction of global technology spending growth to be 8% in 2010 to 1.6 Trillion and US spending to grow 6.6 % to 568 Billion. This is close to the previous predictions in late 2009 by Goldman Sachs and Gartner. Forrester is predicting a slow start in 2010 with spending increasing through the end of the year. Paul Otellini, CEO Intel summed it up at the end of last year, "There is a very good chance corporate spending on PCs will improve significantly in 2010."

Article reporting Forester prediction:

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=270046

Should IT be run as a business?

I read an Article in CIO Magazine “Run IT as a business -- why that's a train wreck waiting to happen - Everything you've been told is wrong: What IT should do instead” by Bob Lewis. As I read the article I imagined the cheering from the IT professionals in data centers across the country. Their frustration with unrealistic users and business leaders is finally articulated.

Clearly Mr. Lewis makes some great points in his article and it is an interesting article to read. However, many of his points are the very reason businesses fail as well. What he is getting to is the importance of creating solutions that will solve the long term business needs as opposed to running around resolving point solutions and every user demand. The essence of where he is going is that internal IT professionals must operate more like consultants and not just turning wrenches. The key here is having solid IT strategic plan and trained IT team to work like consultants. The strategic plan should be short enough that the key leaders will read and buy into the plan. The IT Team needs the consulting skills to work with the business managers and users to deliver on the plan.

IT departments that do not treat the users and business manager as customers are on a slippery slope. A major challenge for IT leaders is getting their team to communicate and to not give attitude to the users. Good IT professionals are scarce and in high demand. They are constantly being pulled in multiple directions and this causes them frustration when dealing with less technical staff. This amplifies the challenge to develop IT professionals that are effective as consultants.

Oh, in case you are wondering – I say yes, IT should be run like a business. And why not – last I checked it is part of business and frankly you should treat everyone like a customer internally and externally. It is a mantra for me!

CIO Magazine Article by Bob Lewis:

http://www.cio.com/article/517879/Run_IT_As_a_Business_Why_That_s_a_Train_Wreck_Waiting_to_Happen?page=1&taxonomyId=3123

Virtualized Management

I have discussed the importance of management and planning in a virtualized environment. IDC Technologies is predicting 20% annual growth in virtualization management software going from $871 Million market to $2.3 Billion by 2013.

Management software has been around for many years but is often shelfware. The challenge with management software is that all too often businesses will purchase the software with little to no budget for getting the software installed and their team trained. The logic is that “this is just management software” and not critical to the operation! We can just have Joe the Network Administrator run with it. Joe agrees to take on the task but with little to no experience or training. The software is setup in a manner that is not according to best practices. Joe and the rest of the team find the management software is cumbersome to operate and monitor. No one uses the software or updates …. Shelfware! The conclusion: “This management software is no good!”

The key to having success with management software is five steps:

1. Take plenty of time to select the management application and then have the team commit
2. Senior leadership needs to be committed to implementing and using the application
3. Have a consultant implement the solution according to best practices
4. Have proper training for the internal owner of the application and the team
5. Have a consultant do some hand holding and follow-up … checking back to ensure that the application is being used correctly

In a virtualized environment management software will rise in importance for successful operation so get your arms around it and commit to your solution for success.

Source Article: Virtualization Management Software Market to Grow, IDC Says:

http://www.businessmanagement1.com/business-management/virtualization-management-software-market-to-grow-idc-says/

Being Relevant in 2010

Symantec CEO, Enrique Salem spoke of the importance of being relevant.

Relevant Pronunciation [rel-uh-vuh nt] –adjective
Bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark.

We are in a new era of so many media channels. Never mind that there are now a 1000 channels on television since there is a shift to social media and the billions of web sites on the internet. How does a business or a person be relevant in an environment that is very thin and infinitely wide? This is the 2010 question and we have had all of 2009 to think about it!

The key is to engage the right people with the right information in a very broad approach. Keep in mind this quote from Seth Godin a master at staying relevant in today’s environment:

“As in high school, the winners are the ones who don't take it too seriously and understand what they're trying to accomplish. Get stuck in the never ending drama (worrying about what irrelevant people think) and you'll never get anything done. The only thing worse than coming in second place in the race for student council president is... winning.”

Use your passion for technology to be relevant in 2010!