Friday, August 31, 2018

Word of the Day: cloud ecosystem

Word of the Day WhatIs.com
Daily updates on the latest technology terms |August 31, 2018
cloud ecosystem

A cloud ecosystem is a complex system of interdependent components that all work together to enable cloud services. In nature, an ecosystem is composed of living and nonliving things that are connected and work together. In cloud computing, the ecosystem consists of hardware and software as well as cloud customers, cloud engineers, consultants, integrators and partners.

Werner Vogels, CTO at Amazon, first compared the cloud to an ecosystem in a keynote address at the Cloud Connect 2011 conference. At the time, enterprise cloud computing was usually thought of in terms of three broad service areas -- infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and software-as-a-service (SaaS). Vogels proposed that the cloud was really more complex and its description also needed to include the array of service providers that companies rely on to operate in the cloud.

How a cloud ecosystem works

The center of a cloud ecosystem is a public cloud provider. It might be an IaaS provider such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or a SaaS vendor such as Salesforce. Radiating out from the center of the cloud are software companies that use the provider's anchor platform, as well as consultants and companies that have formed strategic alliances with the anchor provider. There is no vendor lock-in because these companies overlap, making the ecosystem more complex. For example, AWS is the center of its own ecosystem, but it's also a part of the Salesforce ecosystem. Salesforce runs a number of its services on AWS's infrastructure, and Salesforce customers can gain access, through devices called connectors, to pieces of AWS, such as its Simple Storage Service (S3).

A robust ecosystem provides a cloud provider's customers with an easy way to find and purchase business applications and respond to changing business needs. When the apps are sold through a provider's app store such as AWS Marketplace, Microsoft Azure Marketplace (for cloud software) or Microsoft AppSource (for business applications), the customer essentially has access to a catalog of different vendors' software and services that have already been vetted and reviewed for security, risk and cost.

The benefits of a cloud ecosystem

Companies can use a cloud ecosystem to build new business models. It becomes relatively easy for a medical device manufacturer, for example, to launch a heart-monitoring service on its cloud service provider's cloud infrastructure and then sell the service alongside its main business of manufacturing heart monitors for hospitals.

In a cloud ecosystem, it is also easier to aggregate data and analyze how each part of the system affects the other parts. For example, if an ecosystem consists of patient records, smart device logs and healthcare provider records, it becomes possible to analyze patterns across an entire patient population.

Quote of the Day

"Success in the cloud market depends on a strong partner ecosystem, as long you have a clearly defined value-add." - Jeffrey Kaplan

 

Trending Terms

cloud services
IaaS
Paa
SaaS
business model
FaaS

 
Learning Center

Cloud computing: Ecosystem challenges and how to navigate them
Cloud computing ecosystem challenges range from finding suitable partners to understanding cloud vendor and ISV technical roadmaps.

Cloud management platforms offer a unified approach to hybrid IT
Cloud management platforms facilitate hybrid and multicloud management with centralized control -- but first, look for these four crucial features.

How cloud computing platforms fuel digital transformation
Digital transformation strategies promise to leverage cloud computing platforms, as software developers converge on JavaOne and Oracle OpenWorld.

SaaS ecosystem partners reshape the channel's competitive landscape
Channel firms will see increasing competition from nontraditional players, such as SaaS ecosystem partners and digital marketing agencies, CompTIA said.

How to get started in cloud service company transitions
The cloud computing business model is the latest in a series of daunting transitions for channel partners and one that offers a multidimensional puzzle.

Writing for Business

In a hybrid cloud, sensitive data and computing resources may be maintained in two _________ environments.
A. separate

B. seperate

Answer


 

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David and the dark web: Avoid a security nightmare

David and the dark web: Avoid a security nightmare
Do you know your risk exposure online? Many organizations aren’t as prepared as they think. Take the dark web, for instance – there are 5 common enterprise “footprints” that appear on the dark web. Do you know what they are and how they can affect your business?

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Understand the latest VMware Horizon 7 features

End-User Computing Digest
The latest desktop and mobile coverage from TechTarget's network |Aug. 31, 2018
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FEATURED STORY

Get to know the latest VMware Horizon 7 features

by Eddie Lockhart, Site Editor
VMware shared more information about new Horizon 7 features at this year's VMworld. Learn more about the user experience enhancements and an HTML5 console for IT management. (SearchVirtualDesktop.com)
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Get users on board with your VMware Workspace One deployment

Users aren't always accepting of new technology. At VMworld 2018, customers discussed how they were able to get end users on board with a VMware Workspace One deployment. (SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com)

 
Box security gets a boost with built-in Shield

For added Box security, organizations will be able to use Box Shield, a feature in the platform due in beta later this year. Find out more about the tool and how it fits into your existing security. (SearchMobileComputing.com)

EXPERT ADVICE
 
Can you handle application and desktop virtualization?
IT pros have a lot to gain from application and desktop virtualization if they know what they are doing. They must understand the options for desktop hosts, app deployment types and more. (SearchVirtualDesktop.com)
 
How does a Microsoft App-V client-based application work?

A Microsoft App-V client-based application runs on an endpoint rather than a server, allowing users to access virtual apps while offline. However, it also requires an endpoint to run Windows. Get to know the pros and cons of App-V. (SearchVirtualDesktop.com)

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Overcoming Common Challenges In A Digital Transformation

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Software quality tool vendors jockey for position

Application Development Digest
A roundup of application development content from TechTarget's network | August 31, 2018
TechTarget
FEATURED STORY
SmartBear-Zephyr deal spotlights software quality tools shake-up

By Darryl K. Taft News writer

Competition has tightened in the software test market as vendors strategically acquire additional tools and align with developer ecosystem players.

(SearchSoftwareQuality.com)

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Kubernetes community takes over massive Google test bed

Google will donate $9 million in GCP resources and undergo a three-year handoff process to put a massive Kubernetes test bed under CNCF control.

(SearchITOperations.com)

 

No-code, low-code tools seek ways to stand out in a crowd

No-code and low-code vendors seek to diversify their products to cash in on increasing market demand for systems that enable nonprogrammers to build applications.

(SearchSofwareQuality.com)

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Microservices development will fail with monolithic mindset

Enterprises that build microservices with traditional development tools and practices can run into problems in configuration and dependency management.

(SearchMicroservices.com)

 
How to use the SonarQube Maven Plugin for continuous inspection

Incorporate this SonarQube Maven Plugin into your builds, and you will be able to easily set up continuous inspection of code quality on your Java projects.

(TheServerSide.com)

 
Get into DevOps with cross-functional skills and culture

There's no well-traveled path to a DevOps career. But it's not rocket science. Learn how to explain DevOps and master skills, such as CI/CD, and you'll be on your way.

(DevOpsAgenda.com)

 
How startups can accelerate a software product launch

At your software startup, product delivery must be top priority, even at the expense of some bells and whistles. Get creative with some shortcuts to deliver quality software.

(SearchSofwareQuality.com)

 
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The range of CD tools available is as varied as the organizations that need them. Choose between three primary tool set constructions to suit your organization's structure.

(SearchITOperations.com)

 
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Continuous integration, software delivery and deployment are distinct software lifecycle stages, but they are far more complementary than competitive.

(SearchSofwareQuality.com)

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Your guide to device encryption

TechTarget
Business Technology Research     August 31, 2018
TechTarget
IN THIS ISSUE
Your guide to device encryption
SPONSORED BY: WinMagic
Learn how to use BitLocker as a starting point for enterprise device encryption, and where to go from there to achieve full disk encryption for your organization.
Manage laptops just like mobile devices with UEM
SPONSORED BY: IBM
Download this article to discover a unified endpoint management (UEM) platform that allows IT to take an approach to endpoint management that treats every device the same way, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, wearable or Internet of Things (IoT) device.
Digital Value Creation with Intelligent Cloud ERP
SPONSORED BY: SAP
Value creation through fast-paced digital technology should be the #1 focus for all organizations that seek a competitive advantage. In this 52-page resource, explore how a cloud ERP system can accelerate your value to help you thrive in this fast-paced digital landscape.
AP automation: 6 steps to a successful pitch
SPONSORED BY: Basware
The benefits of automating accounts payable processes are indisputable, but many are dragging their feet because professionals aren't sure how to pitch management in order to get approval. Learn about the 6 steps to making a successful pitch for automating your accounts payable process.
3 action items for cloud ERP adoption
SPONSORED BY: Sage Enterprise
It's challenging to navigate through the vast ERP cloud landscape. Inside this expert e-guide, learn how to lay out guidelines for selecting the right ERP software for your business. Plus, uncover why now is the time to make your move towards a cloud-based ERP system.
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