Introduction to cloud computing – educational

CLOUD COMPUTING - what is it, and what can we expect from it? These basic questions are asked by even the most experienced IT Professional. Cloud computing is a term that is on everybody's lips these days. Our personal and business lives are so aligned with cloud computing technology offerings that we often don't even think about the service requirements and technology behind the overall experience anymore. Delivering Cloud Computing services is a business in its own right. And to do it well requires a lot of skills and knowledge. Knowledge about the technology to make it happen, but also knowledge about the business side of cloud computing. This book is an introduction to Cloud Computing and gives you a starting point for gaining a wider knowledge base for the business of cloud computing. Look at it as one of your educational resources in your journey to understand Cloud Computing and its benefits to the IT profession and your clients. At its core, this is a collection of articles around Cloud Computing as well as a series of articles written by Ivanka Menken, a leading Cloud Computing thinker. The articles cover subjects like Lobots, the positive effect of Cloud Computing on the environment, Basic Architecture of Cloud Computing and Cloud brokerage, to name a few. This book provides systematic treatment of all aspects of a Cloud Computing implementation starting from a definition of what it actually means and assessment of whether it is suitable for a given company to the strategy alignment, implementation and operation of a working solution. It provides a very wide treatment of cloud computing that covers Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, Software-as-a-Service as the many integration and management components that are necessary to make these work together to fulfil business requirements. It is not focused on any particular vendor or service offering. While there is considerable treatment of Amazon, Google and Microsoft the text references several dozen other players and demonstrates how the whole ecosystem works together to solve the main objectives of cost reduction, business flexibility and strategic focus. About The Art of Service As a cutting-edge IT service framework company, The Art of Service is leading the way in providing high end, client-focused books, toolkits and online and classroom education programs. The company is one of the most trusted sources globally for the career-driven IT professional. About Ivanka Menken Ivanka Menken is the founder and CEO of The Art of Service. Menken has spearheaded the company's Cloud Computing Certification Scheme that is becoming the industry benchmark. She is an expert in the field of Cloud Computing and approaches Cloud Computing from a strong business and Service Management background. She is a sought-after speaker at global IT events and has addressed the renowned IT Service Management Forum numerous times on IT service and cloud computing.