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 Cloud computing is a foggy concept these days. As its popularity grows, many misconceptions arise. Let's take a look at the fundamental elements defining the cloud.
There are three main categories of cloud services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). These three types make up cloud computing as we know it today. There are many degrees within these and many confusions around how best to categorize certain services. It’s more or less a continuum so it becomes difficult to determine what is truly a “cloud service” and what is foggy smoke and mirrors.
Thankfully, there are key markers across all three categories to provide perspective, which include: 
1. Subscription-based licensing
2. Accessible from anywhere via the internet
3. Multi-tenant architecture
4. On demand (pay for what you use) model
Subscription Licensing: Across all categories, payment for cloud services is handled on a subscription basis, making it incrementally more affordable than traditional licensing or brick and mortar options. For a SaaS example, consider the Webex Meeting Center. I can subscribe to use this solution for a reasonable monthly rate, month-to-month as I need it, or reduce the rate by committing to a longer 12-month term.
Accessibility: A key component of cloud computing is that because the service “lives” on the Internet, it is available from anywhere in the world where the Internet is accessible. Consider Quicken Online, whether I am at home, at work or on the train with my cell phone, I can access accounting information online.
Multi-Tenant Architecture: When we all log into Google’s Gmail service, the private space for our messages is automatically partitioned and provisioned for us, so no-one else can see our messages. The same is true for IaaS services, such as renting server space on Amazon's EC2 service. An application could be on one or several boxes with one or more other applications depending on the demand for storage and bandwidth. This capacity sharing and provisioning is one of the main benefits of the cloud.
On Demand: Cloud-based services tend to scale very well and can be ideal for organizations who wish their IT budgets to grow with the demands of doing business. It’s very similar to a common household utilities model. When you use a little, you pay a little, and when you use more, you pay more. SaaS subscriptions are often priced on features needed and a per-user basis, meaning it can scale nicely with staff growth and the needs of the organization. Same is true with IaaS which scales with the need for space and bandwidth. For you finance junkies out there, this turns what would normally be CAPEX (or capital expenditure – expenses on physical things) into OPEX (or operating expenditure – expenses on operating your business), a definite advantage to the financial model in many organizations.
Turning capital expenditures into operational expenditures is only one of the key benefits for cloud services. They are highly scalable, widely available and a great way to outsource the extraneous so that you may focus on your core business. With new services popping up almost daily, the marketplace for cloud services will soon become both more enriched and better defined. Go forth and follow the key markers to part the fog and find the services that meet your needs.
Tags: SaaS, Cloud, Internet, Software
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The GSMA reports that there are well over 4 billion cell phone subscriptions worldwide. Over 50% of the world's population has a cell phone now. Think for a moment about your cell phone: what it means and how you use it. Would you miss it if it were lost? I rely on my cell phone which I use as a phone, calculator, alarm clock, weather person, calendar, and research tool. I write notes to myself, notes to others, track my finances, schedule meetings and organize my time. I program my phone which, in return, programs my life.
Of course, being so connected can be a mixed blessing, particularly when one is over-connected. But traveling to the wilderness without it or any other means of communication can feel equally bad after a while. Striking a balance is so important.
Turning to the developing world, there are approximately 4 billion people living at the Base of the Pyramid (BOP), earning less than $5 per day. Many struggle to get the information we thrive on. Technology is often scarce and the rural poor often need to travel great distances for news, banking, etc. The Internet may be available for a fee at a village kiosk. Computers are shared in village centers.
For many years cell phones were shared as well. It was not uncommon to find a "village cell phone" where a village would share a single phone and a local entrepreneur would charge a fee per use. Through time that has changed, and now, there are fewer instances of village phones because the perceived value of the cell phone among the poor has led to an increased desire to have personal cell phones. Desire increased, handsets became more affordable and carriers developed prepaid plans for the poor. For the poor, it remains a lifeline to family, the global economy and even a means to earn more money.
Cell phones are quite the wonder. A basic handset, not even a smart phone, has at least as much if not more memory and greater processor speed than the computer I owned in the 80's. When we think about bridging the technical divide to the developing world by creating low cost computers, why not work with something that is already reaching more hands in more households every day in the developing world? I say this not only because the cell phones are already there, but also because it can be easier for a low cost handset to survive in a harsh, hot, dusty, environment. It all seems to add up.
So when developing tools for the poor, especially in he most rural locations, mobile makes a lot of sense. In the palm of their hands, what they hold is much more than a phone. It is a phone, a calculator, a market research tool, emergency warning device, news resource, and most importantly, it is a lifeline to the global economy. It's a way for them to be both aware and connected, and also to discover many of the benefits, knowledge and information that we can often take for granted. If we are looking for ways to connect with billions of people living in emerging economies, we can start by unleashing the potential of the mobile phone.
Tags: Mobilize, Awareness, Mobile, Internet
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What makes a campaign a Campaign? We think about this in very simple terms. A Campaign is a specific series of actions aimed at a specific group of people, and geared to produce a specific outcome. But as they say, the devil's in the details.
The sign of a great Campaign is one where you know what you are receiving, why you are receiving it and what action you are meant to take next. So as a potential Campaign organizer, you need to ask the same questions in order to maximize your returns on the effort to run your Campaign:
1. Why are you sending this campaign?
"Why" implies you understand the problem that you seek to change. You might want to alleviate illness which is prevalent in a community, support the work of a specific organization or even get someone elected. But without the "why", there is no "how"
2. What are you sending?
"What" gets us down to specifics - is it an email, sms, mailing, TV/Radio advertisement or smoke signal? Then, what format – letter, question/poll, challenge, postcard or an "ask"?
3. How - what action do you seek?
As Ghandi extols, the action is directly related to the change you want to see in the world. Are you raising money? Encouraging people to vaccinate their children? Reminding staff to take their quarterly compliance tests? Be specific and clear. For example, "get behind this important cause" is not going to get you a result. Instead try "show your support by signing this petition on our website here - it only takes two minutes and means the world to us."
4. When do you need a response?
Finally, when do you need the action? After all, why do now what you can put off ‘til tomorrow? Try "all petitions must be submitted by Wednesday August 25 to be counted – make yours count!"
Put yourself in the recipient's shoes - if you want them to take action in order to reach your Campaign's goals, make it easy by letting them know the Why, What, How & When.
Tags: Campaigns, Mobilize, Internet
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