<Notes for Seminar dated May 7 >
  
  
  1) Background
              | Strengths : IT solution on web available with monthly charge scheme launched
 | Weaknesses : Cloud computing is just starting
 | 
             | Opportunities : In HK, only 60% internet connections ; only 20% webpages / websites
 | Threats: Security and cost (resource)
 
 | 
   
  2) What is Cloud Computing ?
  See Definition : from IEEE about SaaS / PaaS / IaaS
    Characteristics of Cloud computing :-
  - SCALABLE, VIRTUALIZED
  - Service
  - Pay-per-use model
    3) What to look for ?
  Open Architecture / flexible / scalable / proven& reliable / secure
  => Unified experience with lowest cost and risk 
  4) Success formula for SMB
              | SMB Challenges for IT adoption : | + | SMB WISHES : | 
             | Expensive hardware & software investment  limited resource on manpower lack of technical know-how short IT product life cycle |  | - flexibility  - timely response to market change - Focus on its core business | 
   
  = Cloud Computing popularity
  - Enable SMB to enjoy enterprise advantages
  - Focus on SLA of services 
  5) Concept of Cloud computing : IT-as–a-service 
  - email & messaging
  - unified communications
  - Security as a Service
  - Data centre services
  - e-marketing 
  - Web Enablement 
  - Conferencing
  6) Green Promotion Paradigm 
  Compliance (e.g. UEMO) –> 
  [ Content –> Info delivery –> user feedback ] 
  7) Steps to start your Green promotion & Branding
              | Web builder | Domain Name registeration | 
             |  | Homepage design & planning | 
             | Web-eM | Web Building | 
             |  | Email marketing | 
   
  8) Communication & Collaboration is more critical than ever …
              | Technology Trends | 
             | Mobility  | 
             | Video everywhere | 
             | Social Networking @ work | 
             | Software as a service (e.g. Cloud) | 
             | Virtualization  | 
   
  How to put your RIGHT investment ?
  Invest to SAVE (nowaday) –> to Grow (Tomorrow) –> to Lead (in the future for innovation way)
  Hints :  
  - make use of Virtual Expert 
  - Click-to-Collaborate 
  - Telepresence meeting
  - seamless in communication 
  - Plug & Play on-demand
  9) Q&A :
  a) No standard among service providers / suppliers for customisation / security for cloud ?
  IBM use open standard for development of services , open API FOR CUSTOMISATION
  e.g. sales force.com , Skype 
  Symantec: ISO 27001 – for security standard and partnership  with aligned partners
with aligned partners
  b) Cloud computing = utility computing ? (monthly rate)
  on demand base , intergration , not fee structure 
  customizaion : yes – under service design scope
  c) How Cloud Computing can help increasing ROI ?
  Ans : Benefits for SMEs
  Cost effectiveness : 
  - Reduced Capital Expenditure
  - Utility or subscription Basis
  - Lower Management overhead
  Manageability :
  - Lower risk at deployment & faster implementation
  - shared Resources & easier Group collaboration
  - Automatic upgrades & features updating
  Reliablility
  - Greater scalability & business continuity
  - complete disaster decovery
  - impressive up time numbers
  Security
  - centralization of data
  - eliminate or reduce service downtime
  - increased security-focused resources
  Agility
  - Device (e.g. PC, mobile) & Location independence
  - Support for extensive customizaTIONS, INTEGRATION & application configuration
  Solution from IBM :
  LOTUSLIVE : online social networking and collaboration platform designed for business
  i.e. www.lotuslive.com
  d) Use more or less IT staff after using cloud computing ?
  less IT staff in lower skills (e.g. programmer) , but system analyser with valued added should be kept for better future IT system development / improvement.
  e) almost 80% communication in PRC, need expensive charge scheme for bandwide and any data warehouse of COL in PRC available ?
  Ans :  Higher charge scheme in PRC but reasonable , yes – data warehouse in PRC .