Windows 8 May Get Cloud Backup, Deep Integrations with Online Services

Microsoft (MSFT) seems to be planning robust integrations between its online services and Windows 8, possibly including a cloud-based backup service, according to Microsoft job postings.

One job posting for a Windows Server position -- which is no longer available but was quoted by the unofficial Windows8beta blog -- states: "We are currently working on a Windows Azure-based service and integrating with certain Microsoft online services and Windows 8 client backup."

Another opening, which had been available on Monday this week but since pulled off the Microsoft career site, was for a Windows Live systems engineer, and says: "We are a growing team with a strategic and highly visible charter helping to build and operate some of Microsoft's most strategic Internet assets. Our service supports hundreds of millions of users, who exchange billions of instant messages, photos and email each day, and store billions of contact relationships in our service. We live the life of 'software and a service' every day, at high scale and you will play a pivotal role as we integrate our online services with Windows 8."

Windows has, of course, been integrated with online services for years such as via Windows Update. But these job postings indicate that integrations with online services will be a major focus during development of Windows 8, which makes sense given Microsoft's efforts to bolster its cloud computing offerings.

Although Windows 7 is just getting started, with its first successful yearbehind it, some details have begun to leak out about Windows 8. Microsoft, for example, has begun telling partners that it will outdo rival Apple by building a better touch screen for slate PCs.

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http://www.cio.com/article/634893/Windows_8_May_Get_Cloud_Backup_Deep_Integrations_with_Online_Services?source=rss_cloud_computing

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5 Business areas best suited for Cloud Computing

5 Areas Best Suited For Cloud Computing

Businesses are shifting from the client-server model to the cloud computing model. There are still some concerns about the security of cloud based servers. Many IT analysts firmly believe that the benefits of using the cloud for certain applications will far outweigh its risks. The needs to store most of the relevant data and access it efficiently is the main driving force behind many companies moving to the cloud.

Following are the top 5 cloud applications being most widely used at present.

Cloud Backup

Some companies like Mozy are working to move businesses backup and disaster recovery data to cloud servers. Because of the presence of security concerns with cloud servers, businesses want to keep a back-up of their important data to avoid any unexpected turn of unforeseen events. The area of corporate cloud backup will continue to be sought after by companies for a number of years to come.

Collaboration Applications

Business firms have already been managing their email and PIM by managed service providers for some years now. Some of the most important areas of collaboration applications will be for: Email, File Sharing, Online Video and Voice Conferencing. The low costs of cloud computing will make easier for decision makers to consider implementing it.

Business Applications

Cloud based business applications provide tremendous opportunities to business firms to pay for what they have used. The Pay As You Go plan. Since companies don’t have to actually purchase the software, they have access to the latest solutions. The availability of solutions such as CRM, ERP, HR, and Finance and Accounting on cloud based servers means a decrease in up-front investment and other issues of in-house deployment.

Web Serving

The web servers, management tools, analytical and business software are moving to cloud computing. Cloud based web infrastructure and software will save you a lot of money. Enterprises corporations are already benefiting by the low price.

Employee Productivity Applications

Applications used for improving employees performance and better reporting within the office is another type of cloud application being widely used at present. This will be looked into by many new and old businesses wanting increased accountability and efficiency within the workplace.
By CloudTweaks
http://www.cloudtweaks.com/2010/08/5-areas-best-suited-for-cloud-computing/


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Secure Cloud Backup for Active Directory

Secure Cloud Backup for Active Directory