As I think about cloud, Adele’s Grammy award-winning song  “Rolling in the Deep” comes to mind. Strange flight of fantasy?  I think not.  As the refrain, “you could have had it all,” repeats in my head, I think about how similar cloud is to finding love. Like dating , there are a lot of different approaches to cloud , and it is not always clear what the right one is.  Like romance, cloud is full of fun, promise, and pitfalls. Like a lasting relationship, realizing the promise and avoiding the pitfalls takes a lot of work. But unlike finding one’s soul mate, finding success with cloud can be guaranteed..  You need the right approach, solid planning, and sometimes a little help from your friends.

Cisco’s cloud experts have been working hard to:

• Leading the market with technology innovations such as the Unified Data Center and Cloud Intelligent Network
• Creating deep relationships with partners who enable us to provide complete, industry-leading cloud solutions for different cloud approaches
• Testing our technologies and professional services in our own IT environment and documenting our results

We have seen tremendous benefits, and so have our partners and customers.

 As part of the Cisco’s services organization, I think a lot about what it takes to enable a successful cloud.   And I think about how to have a little fun along the way. One of the fun, free things that I have worked on is the Cloud Profile Tool.  All you need to do is answer 10 quick questions, and you’ll receive a customized report with recommendations to help you get started.  If you like what you see and want to have a deeper, complimentary conversation with Cisco or one of our cloud partners, we’d be glad to set that up.  Try the Cloud Profile Tool in English or in another language and let me know what you think.

Tags: Cisco, cloud, cloud profile, cloud readiness, services

Co-written by Bryan Mobley, Director, IBSG Service Provider

The business world’s rise to the cloud has been dramatic and increasingly rapid. From an initial attitude of vague interest mixed with trepidation, organizations have begun to embrace the transition in a big way. Some are already realizing the expansive benefits in costs, efficiency, and innovation that come with this game-changing technology.

To keep with the pulse of cloud migration, Cisco initiated a series of roundtable discussions two years ago. The philosophy of each meeting was to bring together 10 to 20 decision makers from a variety of enterprises, midsized businesses, and government agencies. So far, we’ve held 15 of these discussions across North America. In addition to providing a unique opportunity to share our thought leadership, these sessions provide an ideal forum for hearing our customers’ thoughts on cloud: the benefits, the inhibitors, and even a few war stories. In the end, however, it is the advantages of cloud that spark the most contagious conversations.

Here are some of the key trends that have emerged from two years of discussions:

Read More »

Tags: Cisco, cloud, Computing, enterprises, IBSG, infrastructure, migration, private cloud, Public Cloud, SaaS, Service Provider, services, SMBs, software as a service, vdi, virtual desktop, WebEX

Imagine a world where businesses can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and securely share and store data across multiple networks, regardless of location. Until a few years ago, this concept seemed unattainable to most.

Fast-forward to 2012, and just about every company in the industry is working to make the cloud a part of its business model. Organizations are beginning to see the cloud as a long-term industry transition in the same way that client/server computing was a transition from the mainframe era.

Cloud is the next step in the evolution of the Internet. And that evolution is happening now. The cloud is fundamentally changing the way people and businesses consume services.

Early discussions have focused primarily on the different types of clouds leaving businesses wondering what option is best for them. In reality, it can take several types of clouds to solve a variety of business challenges. We’re moving to an interconnected world of many clouds – where users want to experience cloud services anywhere, anytime, on any device – and businesses want IT as a service.

Clouds offer compelling economics – reducing CapEx and OpEx, sharing of cloud assets, and dynamic, on-demand delivery of services. They enable flexible business models that allow services to be launched more rapidly, with greater efficiency and more scalability, regardless of the geography or size of business.

Curious on what “cloud formation” is right for you? Read More »

Tags: capex, Cisco, ciscops12, cloud, cloud formation, opex, partners, services, Wendy Bahr

Think cloud isn’t the next big thing in the evolution of IT? By 2015, experts predict cloud traffic will grow 12 times to reach 1.6 zettabytes—yes, zettabytes. That’s more than four days of business-class video for every single person on the planet.

So listen up, partners. Cisco is backing cloud 100 percent, and they’re ready to work with you to help enable the world of many clouds. Whether it’s planning, building, or running clouds, the opportunities are enormous. There’s also a great deal of complexity.

But not to worry. Cisco has you covered.

As part of its Cloud Partner Program, Cisco is offering Collaborative Professional Services (CPS) for Cloud. This Cisco Services offering shares intellectual capital, smart service innovation, demand generation, and a global delivery infrastructure with partners—all to help you develop profitable cloud solutions that will put a smile on every customer’s face.

Believe me. Your enterprise, service provider, small business, and government customers want a trusted cloud advisor. By transitioning to cloud, they’re likely to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and gain strategic advantage. Wonder who they’ll thank for the help? Read More »

Tags: channel partners, Cisco, cloud, services

These days, many people take it for granted that they can stay informed, connected, and entertained anytime and anywhere.

But as with any change, these new capabilities and new expectations bring new challenges.  With more devices, ubiquitous internet access, and content digitized at their finger tips, consumers now face new struggles-- from managing content libraries fragmented across devices to worrying that they’re paying again and again for the same song or movie in order to access it when and where they want.

As Connected Life continues to evolve, the advancing front is being driven by the cloud.  The cloud provides answers to the new challenges consumers face living their Connected Lives. Read More »

Tags: Cisco, cloud, Connected, enhancements, IBSG, life, market, providers, service, Service Provider, services, study, Watch