Back during the times of floppy disks and tapes, disaster and data recovery used to be two different aspects.  Creating data backups on tapes used to be time-consuming and a hectic job. The disk backup did ease the time-taking aspect, yet backup and recovery of data during times of emergency turned out a tedious task.

In today’s world, Cloud has changed the entire scenario. Not only does it allow data backup facilities, but disaster recovery as well. While off-site backups can take time to retrieve from storage and then deliver, instant Disaster Recovery from a cloud data centre means that anyone can  back up and run data in a matter of hours. This procedure is drastically reducing Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and other factors, as well as obliterating the threat of unstable network configurations or incompatible drives.

Read more at : http://www.business2community.com/cloud-computing/move-cloud-transformed-disaster-recovery-01660795#e0Kg4wwQuDLIAtlq.99

Cloud is the new buzz word. Nowadays, more and more people are willing to shift to the cloud. There are too many paths available for this journey and each path which does appear to be good, might not result in a successful decision. So people need to consider more details than they actually thought. The first step is to categorize types of workload that one wishes to migrate. These are not the applications, but the patterns of processing the applications. Some of the patterns may be - Database-intensive; Compute intensive or; User interface- intensive. If you have, say 200 applications, then, place each application in one of these categories and you will end up dealing with 3 categories rather than 200 applications. Doing so, you will be able to select proper cloud configuration to service your applications. This approach will help you in saving time and money. Read more at: http://www.infoworld.com/article/3016559/cloud-computing/the-right-way-to-migrate-to-the-cloud.html

The integration of cloud technology and advanced analytics allows organizations to find and use information to save money, deliver on the mission more effectively, create new value and make better decisions. Through Cloud Analytics, Booz Allen( a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defence, intelligence, and civil markets) helps organizations gain valuable insights from large data sets, and—in the critical next step—strategically use that knowledge to drive mission success. Cloud Analytics is a data driven frontier; the term for a set of technological and analytical tools and techniques specifically designed to help clients extract information from massive data. For Booz Allen’s clients, cloud analytics involves more than algorithms. According to Booz Allen “we leverage our firm-wide expertise to provide clients with end-to-end solutions”. This includes bringing in teams of experts who understand the underlying issue to be solved, can make sense of the data for a specific organization, who can help the organization use it effectively, and who can develop tailored applications to maximize the value of the data. To know more about this, go to:http://www.boozallen.com/consulting/technology/cloud-computing/cloud-analytics

Cloud computing can help companies reduce their e-waste in several ways. John Biggs of TechCrunch recently discussed the effect that a design change of Apple’s devices would have on the amount of e-waste.The company will switch from its current 30-pin port (the rectangular outlet that connects iPods, iPhones, and iPads to docking stations and chargers) to a smaller 9-pin or 19-pin port. According to Biggs 45 million devices will become “partially” obsolete as a result of this minor change. The United States throws away about 3 million tons of e-waste every year, including about 30 million desktops, 12 million laptops, and 30 million computer monitors. The amount of e-waste increases year-to-year at the highest rate (5%) of any category of trash. E-waste accounts for 20-50 million tons or 5% of all the world’s solid waste. With cloud computing  companies no longer have to purchase, repair, or replace hardware for an on-site IT infrastructure when they sign up for cloud-based solutions. They will not have to dispose of all of their obsolete or broken servers, storage devices, networking hardware, and cables every year. Second, cloud hosting companies utilize hardware more efficiently. They can host multiple applications and infrastructures per server. As a result, cloud hosting providers purchase relatively small amounts of hardware and fully utilize their servers, storage devices, and networking hardware before disposing of them. Third, companies that adopt cloud-based solutions do not have to frequently repair or replace their end-user hardware such as desktops, laptops, keyboards, mice, and monitors. To know more about reduction of e-waste using cloud computing visit:  http://www.onthenetoffice.com/blog/2012/08/e-waste/