cloud computing

SIIA Submits Testimony to Congressional Forum on Information Technology

May 15, 2012 By Mike Hettinger

Last Friday, Representatives Elijah Cummings (MD) and Gerry Connelly (VA) hosted a Congressional Forum on Information Technology at the Fairfax County, Virginia Government Center to review government’s efforts to leverage innovative technology to reduce cost and improve citizen services. The forum featured testimony from Federal CIO Steven Van Roekel, as well as industry representatives including SIIA Public Sector Innovation Group Board Member, David Mihalchik of Google. SIIA was pleased to have been asked by the Members to provide testimony for the record.

SIIA’s testimony focused on the important transformative benefits of cloud computing – economic growth, choice and lower cost — and encouraged Congress to consider these when looking at cloud computing. We also highlighted the key security benefits that can be realized by implementing cloud computing, discussed the importance of the 25 Point Plan to Reform Federal IT, and explored the inter-relationship between Cloud First, FedRAMP, the Shared Services Strategy and the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative.
Overall, the interaction between Reps. Cummings and Connelly and the forum witnesses was thoughtful and successfully highlighted the issues of importance to government and industry alike as the federal government moves ahead with cloud computing. It was particularly encouraging to see these key members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee engage on an issue of such great importance to SIIA members and the federal IT industry as a whole and we applaud them for their effort.

Read the full text of SIIA’s statement.

Michael Hettinger is VP for the Public Sector Innovation Group (PSIG) at SIIA. Follow his PSIG tweets at @SIIAPSIG.

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Filed Under: Cloud Computing, Government, Policy, Policy - Cloud Computing, PSIG, Software Tagged With: cloud computing, congress, innovation

Tip #9: 10 Tips to Maximizing Your Time at All About the Cloud

April 25, 2012 By Rhianna Collier

Tip 9: Enjoy the City by the Bay

Wow, All About the Cloud is right around the corner. In just a couple of short weeks, executives representing the entire cloud computing ecosystem will converge on the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. While we have a number of activities planned to keep you busy, we want to make sure you make the most of your time in San Francisco. Leave it to us to make you feel like a local with some of our favorite San Francisco treats!

Best Late Night Piano Bar:
“Sing us a song you’re the Piano Man”! The dueling pianos at Johnny Foley’s at 243 O’Farrell Street is a favorite of our attendees. Get ready to sing your heart out!

Best Place to Satisfy a Sweet Craving:
You’ve been networking all day and now you need something sweet to carry you into the evening events. Specialty’s – Just a minute walk from the Palace Hotel (101 New Montgomery Street), they have the best chocolate chip cookies in town. If you don’t believe me just ask Brian Rosenberg who is a regular when in the Bay Area.

Best Place to Meet Your Next Partner or Customer:
ALL ABOUT THE CLOUD! Be sure not to miss the AATC agenda, full of great content and numerous networking opportunities.

Best Place to Experience Real San Francisco:
North Beach, San Francisco’s own Little Italy! Be sure to stop into Vesuvio, a historical saloon that opened back in 1948.

Best Place to eat at 2am:
You survived the Dell Boomi party and the late night piano bar and now you are starving. Lori’s Diner – with great food and a fun theme, Lori’s features counter service, all day breakfast and is open 24 hours. Located on Mason, Lori’s is just a few steps away from that notorious piano bar.

Best Place for a Cultural Experience:
Golden Gate Park – besides the parks trails and beauty it is loaded with cultural activities. The de Young Museum is a landmark art museum in featuring modern exhibits that change regularly. The Academy of Sciences, also located in the park, houses a natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, and rainforest dome.

Best Place to Get Great Shopping Deals:
Jeremy’s on 2nd is a hidden treasure in San Francisco, where you can find great designer pieces at great prices.

Best Place to Enjoy the Ocean:
If you are lucky enough to tag on some extra time in the city and want to experience the Pacific Ocean head out to the historic Cliff House. Located right on the beach, on the edge of the Pacific, the Cliff House is a great place to grab a meal after a hike or stroll on the beach. Be sure to bring a jacket, I know it is July but I promise you will need it!

Best Route to Go for a Run:
You ate and drank a little too much last night at the various networking events and it is time to run it off so you can do it again today. Head right down Market Street to the beautiful Embarcadero where you can run along the water. If you choose to turn right you can head right up to AT&T park, turn Right on New Montgomery and be right back at the hotel.

If I can provide any additional information on the Bay Area, drop me a note rcollier@siia.net, I will be happy to help.

Rhianna Collier is VP for the Software Division at SIIA.

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Filed Under: All About the Cloud, Cloud Computing, Software, Uncategorized Tagged With: All About the Cloud, cloud computing, iaas, ISVs, networking, saas

Webinar: How to Develop Software in the Cloud – Securely

April 23, 2012 By SIIA

Companies look to develop their software and services in a Cloud-based environment for its convenient and flexible access. However, this convenience and flexibility comes with its own risk. Listen to this pre-recorded webinar as Grant Thornton and CloudPassage discuss how to develop software in the Cloud – securely.

Speakers:
Mitchell Simon, Managing Director, Grant Thornton
Rand Wacker, Vice President of Product Management, CloudPassage

Grant Thornton’s slides

CloudPassage’s slides