Ask the Experts

Managed cloud services

Hybrid cloud services: Do your customers have to re-architect?

Some public cloud offerings require customers to re-architect their apps, but if providers offer hybrid cloud services this scenario could change. Continue Reading
Colocation vs. cloud computing: What's the difference?

When comparing colocation vs. cloud computing, cloud expert Chip Popoviciu offers an analogy involving refrigerators and Star Trek replicators. Continue Reading
What cloud computing security risks do providers tend to overlook?

Find out which cloud computing security risks are in cloud providers' blind spot, according to cloud expert Mooney Sherman. Continue Reading
In a cloud security risk analysis, how can providers find vulnerabilities?

Identifying vulnerabilities in a cloud security risk analysis requires providers to do regular testing and audits, says cloud expert Mooney Sherman. Continue Reading
How transparent should a provider be with its cloud security policy?

Cloud security policy should make procedures clear without revealing all the technology at work, says cloud expert Mooney Sherman. Continue Reading

What kind of cloud management tools do customers need from providers?

The cloud management tools and reporting capabilities customers expect depend on individual service deployment models and use cases. Continue Reading
How can GIS technology help prevent cloud outages?

GIS technology helps cloud providers identify developing threats and plan in advance to foil outages, says TM Forum CEO Martin Creaner. Continue Reading
How can we capitalize on an enterprise customer's BYOD strategy?

If a customer expresses interest in developing a BYOD strategy, providers can offer tiered levels of services, says TM Forum CEO Martin Creaner. Continue Reading
Which areas of cloud computing are most in need of cloud standards?

Because billing is such an integral part of cloud computing, it's natural that cloud standards are heavily needed to ensure transparency. Continue Reading
What is the cloud's role in machine-to-machine (M2M) services?

The cloud can play a vital role in bringing M2M services to market more quickly for service providers, says TM Forum CEO Martin Creaner. Continue Reading
Customers are jumpy about vague cloud compliance mandates -- now what?

As long as regulators are vague about cloud compliance mandates, providers may fail to win customers in those verticals. But expert Neils Johnson says you aren't powerless. Continue Reading

Cloud security certifications: Do they help? Or are they all marketing?

Cloud security is a critical issue for customers, but how useful are cloud security certifications? Security expert Neils Johnson explains how providers should proceed. Continue Reading
How can cloud providers show that their cloud services are secure?

Cloud security expert Neils Johnson explains how cloud providers can demonstrate to prospective enterprise clients that the cloud computing services they offer are secure. Continue Reading
Cloud managed services challenges for enterprises and SMBs

Channel and managed services expert Lauren Robinette breaks down the largest challenges that enterprises and SMBs face when crafting their cloud and managed services strategies. Continue Reading
Is iSCSI right for everyone?

Learn which factors VARs should consider before recommending a storage area network to their customers, and discover whether Fibre Channel or iSCSI is right for a given customer. Continue Reading