5 Cloud Computing Stories That MSPs Need to Know About, Week of Feb. 20

MSPmentor has compiled a list of the top cloud computing stories that managed service providers (MSPs) need to know about for the week ending Feb. 20.

This week’s column features cloud computing news from Microsoft (MSFT), IBM (IBM), RightScale, My Digital Shield (MDS) and SAP SE (SAP).

Microsoft Widens Office Cloud Storage Options

Microsoft has added new cloud storage integration features to Office, including file-picker integration for Apple (AAPL) iPad and iPhone users and Office Online integration for viewing and editing. Kirk Koenigsbauer, Office’s corporate vice president, also noted that Microsoft is working on similar cloud storage integrations for Office apps running on its upcoming Windows 10 operating system and Office for Android apps.

IBM Invests $1B in Software-Defined, Hybrid Cloud Data Storage

IBM has launched IBM Spectrum Storage, cloud-based, software-defined optimized storage that is designed to revolutionize how companies manage data. IBM Spectrum Storage delivers “a new approach” to big data, according to IBM Systems Senior Vice President Tom Rosamilia. Additionally, Big Blue said it plans to invest $1 billion in next-generation storage software over the next five years.

Survey Shows Central IT Is Now Taking the Lead in Enterprise Cloud Adoption

RightScale’s “2015 State of the Cloud Report” revealed many enterprises are implementing a hybrid cloud strategy that encompasses public and private clouds as well as existing virtualized environments. Also, RightScale researchers noted that 93 percent of organizations said they are running applications or experimenting with infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and 82 percent said they have a hybrid cloud strategy.

My Digital Shield Updates Channel Partner Program

MDS is offering new sales tools designed to assist channel partners with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The Wilmington, Delaware-based security-as-a-service (SECaaS) provider recently updated its channel partner program to help MSPs, solution providers and value-added resellers (VARs) boost their recurring revenues.

SAP Delivers a New Generation of Planning in the Cloud

SAP has unveiled SAP Cloud for Planning, an enterprise performance management (EPM) solution that embeds social collaboration and analytics directly within the context of the planning process. SAP Cloud for Planning is built natively on the SAP HANA Cloud Platform and is designed to allow users to “get up and running quickly with a future-oriented application built for the cloud.”

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