Business models: cloud-based vs cloud-enabled

A cloud-based business model is a business model that is completely aimed at, reliant on, and based on a cloud computing environement.
E.g. End-users applications are entirely hosted in a cloud. End users can access the applications or data they need simply by providing a username and a password.

A cloud-enabled business model uses some components of cloud computing to achieve beneficial results in terms of how the business operates.
E.g. use a virtual cloud server for data storage.

Gartner predicts PaaS revenue will reach USD 2.9bn by 2016

Global revenue for platform as a service (PaaS) will grow consistently for five years to reach $2.9bn by 2016, up from $900m in 2011, according to research firm Gartner. But as the PaaS delivery model grows, it will intensify the competition between large cloud service providers and enterprise software suppliers which look to capture the growing market, Gartner predicted.

Source : ComputerWeekly.com

PRINCE2: Stage, Exception and Boundary

PRINCE2 is a structured and adaptable project management method for planning, managing and controlling any type or size of project.

Stage: At any one time, a Project Manager (PM) manages one section of a project, called stage. At the end of the stage, the project Board reviews the status of the
project to date and decides whether to continue to the next stage

Exception: An exception is a situation where it is forecast that there will be a cost or schedule deviation beyond the project's planned tolerance levels set by the Project
Board. The Project Manager prepares an Exception Report, which describes the exception situation.

Boundary: The term boundary is used in the context of Managing Stage Boundaries, a PRINCE2 process. PRINCE2 provides a mechanism for defining the boundary of a project
and its relationship to other projects. in defining the boundary of a project, as with a stage, the emphasis is always on the products that the project is required to deliver.
As a project nears a stage boundary, or end of a stage, the Project Board, assesses the information produced from the current stage and makes a key decision on whether
to continue with the project or not.

What is a good project management methodology?

A good project management methodology has these benefits:

- defines quality requirements: when quality requirements are defined in the plan and controlled throughout the project, the product meets customer expectations.

- provides adequate planning and co-ordination resources: proper planning and co-ordination of resources ensures deliverables are completed on time and on budget.

- provides an adequate definition of project roles and responsibilities: when project team members understand and accept their roles and responsibilities, they have more direction and make better decisions.

- provides adequate planning and monitoring for sudden, unexpected changes: a good project management methodology provides controls and techniques for dealing with change during the life of the project.

- defines the required outcomes: at the end, the required outcomes are met because the plan was built around them from the outset.

Don't wait to strike out on your own behalf

The real barrier for most of us is not external. It is our own psychology: we overthink decisions, fear eventual failure, and prioritise near-term, visible regards over long-range success.

Thinking about ideas during week-ends, holidays and evenings by moonlighting can be an excellent rehearsal.

As with most vital decisions, no one should wait for the perfect moment. That is simply an excuse for procrastination.

Cloud Definitions

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Special Publication
800-145, “The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing,” defines the cloud as having
five essential characteristics:
1- On-demand self-service
2 - Broad network access
3 - Resource pooling
4 - Rapid elasticity
5 - Measured service

The publication also specifies three service models:
1 - Software as a Service (SaaS)
2 - Platform as a Service (PaaS)
3 - Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

And the document defines four deployment models:
1 - Private cloud
2 - Community cloud
3 - Public cloud
4 - Hybrid cloud

The NIST standard is freely available for use and remains the best definition of
cloud computing today, in part due to its simplicity and brevity. NIST has published
other cloud standards that are primarily aimed at departments and agencies
of the US Government, as well as cloud architecture document Special Publication
500-292, “NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture.” Larger enterprises might
find this document useful when planning adoption of the cloud.

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes speaking about Cloud Computing

Commissioner Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Digital Agenda speaks about Cloud Computing after the release the European Commission’s cloud computing strategy document titled Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe on 27.9.2012.

FULL VIDEO HERE