Cloud App Integration .com

Java at center of upcoming PaaS offerings from Red Hat, IBM

When cloud computing hype began, many viewers foresaw the end of Java. The programming language was, in their eyes, too cumbersome for the demands of fast and lightweight performance in internet-based computing. The introduction of VMForce and addition of Java support to the Google App Engine proved Java had a place in the cloud. Recent Java Platform as a Service (Paas) developments suggest Java is becomeing further entrenched.

Red Hat announced the purchase Makara,an application deployment and monitoring provider, in order to accelerate development of its PaaS offering. According to Tim Prickett Morgan at Channel Register, Makara’s cloud application platform helps scale resources allocated to Java applications as they run on a PaaS. Because Java applications are often demanding of resources, scalability is essential.

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Data integration at the heart of creating cloud application systems
(SearchCIO-Midmarket.com)

This story looks at a few different SaaS integration scenarios, and concludes that data is the most important part. The author quotes users of Jitterbit, Informatica, and CastIron data integration tools about how reliable data integration makes cloud adoption possible.

IBM creates virtual lab for channel partner experimentation (PC World)

IBM has launched a cloud computing lab for channel partners to experiment with models and development. IBM will help a partner explore different options for cloud application strategies that can than be put to market by the partner.

Windows Azure becomes Infrastructure as a Service (ZDNet)

At this weeks Professional Developers Conference (PDC) Microsoft debuted Windows Azure IaaS, referred to as “VM-role.” The author of this ZDNet article points out that the release puts Azure in more direct competition with Amazon EC2. The author also says that because the product is its earliest phases, integration with other platforms and infrastructure will be limited.

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IBM Blueworks Live positioned as lightweight SaaS BPM (CMSWiRE)

IBM announced the release of Blueworks Live, a platform for creating lightweight BPM applications on the cloud. According to this article, Blueworks Live will allow for more agile and social BPM. According to a similar report from ZDNet, Blueworks Live is a precursor to a larger SaaS BPM offering built around software acquired when IBM purchased Austin, Texas, based BPM provider Lombardi. IBM partner Hubspan foresees Blueworks playing an important role in future B2B integration projections.

Scheduling SaaS tool provider opens up to third party developers (Press Release)

TimeTrade Systems, a provider of online scheduling SaaS, announced today a new open API that allows users to integrate TimeTrade’s product with corporate CRM systems. The API also allows system developers to create custom applications that fit user-specific needs.

Law firm management SaaS adds Google Apps integration (Press Release)

Legal practice management tool provider Clio today announced integration with Google Apps. The integration includes synchronization with Google Calendar and contact lists as well as single sign-on. Clio specifically targets small law practices and independent practitioners with limited IT resources relative to larger firms.

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What exactly makes up a private cloud? (Enterprise Irregulars)

A private cloud is a tough thing to define. After all, the nature of cloud computing suggests using remote resources made available from different vendors and connecting to them through the internet. It’s tough to understand how such a process can be private. On the other end, how can owning your resources be called cloud computing? This blog entry takes a close look at just what makes up a private cloud, and what implications the definition can have on your SaaS integration strategy.

Cloud computing makes integration easier (ebizQ)

The ebizQ forum is great place to find the opinions of leading minds on cloud computing. We recommend checking it out. In a recent forum session, GetApp co-founder Manuel Jaffrin gave a succinct summary of how cloud computing benefits small businesses: “As you grow and need more integration and eventually some custom development, you will need first an IT project manager rather than a Sys Admin which can map business workflows with App integration”

An in depth look at IBM’s cloud strategy (Datamation)

IBM has made a lot of large moves in the cloud computing space recently, including a number of major acquisitions such as Cast Iron systems, Cognos, Sterling Commerce. This article looks at what IBMs customers are doing with the new IBM cloud computing tools. The U.S. Air Force, for example, is working with IBM to see how cloud computing can help manage information. Aetna Insurance has used IBM cloud tools to integrate health care claims to physicians and pharmacies. Read more user stories in this feature article from Datamation.