Ray DePena

Are you wondering who is gaining mind share in the 3rd quarter of 2011?  Well wonder no more. Let's take a look at the Top Cloud Enablers Gaining Mind Share, and The Leaderboard (Up and Coming Cloud Innovators, Movers and Shakers). As you know, Cloud computing has gone mainstream, and large enterprise information technology companies must continue their rapid restructuring to an on-demand model enhancing their portfolios largely through acquisitions. So lets see how they’re doing. Here are the most recent changes this quarter, and a quick look at the 2011 acquisitions (2010 activity can be found here). 2011 Acquisitions: ARM Holdings buys Obsidian (RAVEN) Black Duck Software acquires Olliance (Open Source Strategy Consulting) BMC acquires Aeroprise (Mobile) CA acquires Torokina Networks (Service Assurance Management) CA Technologies buys ITKO (Application Developm... (more)

Cloud Computing and the 4th Dimension

It’s time to think about time. According to Wikipedia, in physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. In cosmology, the concept of spacetime combines space and time to a single abstract universe. But you know we’re not here to talk about physics, cosmology, or the universe, as interesting as they may be. For this moment in time, I want you to think of Cloud computing along the lines of space and time, because too many businesses shifting to the Cloud are focused on space, and space alone. You see, traditionally, for business ... (more)

Enterprise Cloud Computing and the Services Led Organization

Charge! That’s the rallying cry not of your IT on the way to the Cloud, but your business units as they use their corporate American Express (AMEX) cards to buy Cloud services. The Cloud, like the Internet before it, seems deceptively easy. Back then, it was just connect. Done. Today, it’s just subscribe. Done. The illusion is powerful and seductive, isn’t it? As a C-level executive, you know better though. Being the CEO, CIO, or other senior executive responsible for running a global business with more than 10,000+ employees is no easy task. Perhaps you’re a Fortune 500 company o... (more)

The Cloud’s Tipping Point

I always enjoy hearing from those of you who have come to the conclusion that cloud computing will not work, and decided you will not be developing plans to shift your business to the Cloud. Sometimes the analysis is sound. More often than not, it omits key variables. Perhaps you relied too much on vendor input for key variables in your analysis, or on your own in-house staff that may not necessarily have the skills, experience, or vested interest in such analysis. After all, how often do they undertake such an analysis in the first place? How well does it compare to an unbiased,... (more)

Top 110 Cloud Computing Enablers Gaining Mind Share in 2Q 2011

Happy 4th of July! I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend (if you happen to live in the U.S.) Today we take a look at the first half of 2011 to see which Cloud players are gaining mind share. In addition to the “Top 110 Cloud Enablers Gaining Mind Share,” I have included “The Leaderboard”, 120 Up and Coming Cloud Innovators, Movers and Shakers. So far the segment has been brimming with excitement as large enterprise information technology companies continue their rapid restructuring to an on-demand cloud computing model by enhancing their portfolios through acquisitions. Befo... (more)