Amazon SimpleDB: Boost for Cloud Computing

Amazon now offers SimpleDB, a Web service for running queries on structured data in real time. This service works in close conjunction with Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), collectively providing the ability to store, process and query data sets in the cloud.

Traditionally, this type of functionality has been accomplished with a clustered relational database that requires a sizable upfront investment. In contrast, Amazon SimpleDB is easy to use and provides the core functionality of a database--real-time lookup and simple querying of structured data--without the operational complexity.

Amazon SimpleDB automatically indexes data and provides a simple API for storage and access.

Amazon SimpleDB provides streamlined access to the lookup and query functions that traditionally are achieved using a relational database cluster, while leaving out other complex, often-unused database operations.

Amazon SimpleDB allows easy scaling of applications as well. For the Beta release, a single domain is limited in size to 10 gigabytes and 100 domains. Over time these limits may be raised, Amazon says.

The service runs within Amazon's high-availability data centers and fully indexed user data is stored redundantly across multiple servers and data centers.

Amazon SimpleDB is designed to integrate easily with other web-scale services such as Amazon EC2 and Amazon S3. For example, developers can run their applications in Amazon EC2 and store their data objects in Amazon S3. Amazon SimpleDB can then be used to query the object metadata from within the application in Amazon EC2 and return pointers to the objects stored in Amazon S3.

Developers and users pay only for what they use; there are no minimum fees.

Machine use costs $0.14 per Amazon SimpleDB Machine Hour consumed. Data transfer in
$0.10 per gigabyte. Data transfer out varies based on volume. Costs are $0.18 per GB for the first 10 TB per month; $0.16 per GB for the next 40 TB and $0.13 per GB over 50 TB.

Structured data storage costs $1.50 per GB-month.

The point is that it is becoming easier by the day to create, store and execute applications based entirely "in the cloud," without ownership or lease of data facilities, access pipes or servers to support those apps. At some point, highly-distributed workforces or end user bases will find it congenial in the extreme to support remote users with services always available through a standard Web browser, with the latest version, with no need for loading updates, patches or extensions.

As software becomes a service, computing infrastructure also is becoming a utility or service as well.

Channel Embraces SaaS

An IDC survey of members of the International Association of Microsoft Certified Partners suggests high expectations for software as a service.

IDC says 76 percent of solution providers who responded believe that SAAS will dramatically impact the partnering landscape, and more than 70 percent of solution providers view it as an opportunity. Solution providers believe that the most profitable opportunities related to SAAS will be in the area of deployment and implementation services.

But solution providers are also looking forward to the recurring revenue opportunity that comes with the SAAS business model.

SAP, Microsoft, Cisco Systems and IBM are among the application providers expected to be active in 2008.

Microsoft Gets Viacom Online Ad Deal

Viacom Inc. has selected Microsoft Corp. as its Internet advertising partner in a five-year agreement initially valued at an estimated $500 million, also involving online games, shows and movies.

Microsoft will help Viacom place advertising on Viacom's U.S. Web sites and be the exclusive seller of its remnant display advertising, or ad space Viacom has been unable to sell.

As part of the deal, Microsoft will also license on a non-exclusive basis long and short-form television and movies from Viacom for the MSN portal and the Xbox 360 game system's online network.

Microsoft has also agreed to buy ads on Viacom's broadcast and online networks over five years and help Viacom establish itself as a publishing partner on Microsoft's casual Internet gaming sites.

VoSKY, Skype Gateways Available Globally

The Skype VoSKY Exchange family of rack-mountable PBX-to-Skype gateways are now available worldwide, VoSKY says. The gateways allow businesses to make and receive free Skype-to-Skype calls with customers and partners, as well as between company offices, as an adjunct to existing business phone systems and calling services.

The co-branded Skype VoSKY Exchange 9040 and 9140 also add VoIP applications such as Click-to-Call, PBX Remote Access, Multi-site PBX Networking and Skype Trunking to existing phone systems.

Some will question whether the gateways are widely suitable for enterprise use. Well, they certainly are suitable for small and mid-sized business use. Enterprise policies might be more challenging, partly in terms of security, partly when complete call logging or recording is required.

For organizations without stringent call recording or logging requirements, the VoSKY gateways are an augmentation solution, used with existing phone service, not as a replacement. If the Skype network goes down, all calls simply are handled by the IP or TDM phone system as they normally would be.

XO Communications, Tech Data in Distribution Deal

XO Communications has signed a distribution deal with Tech Data Corporation, giving Tech Data partners IP communications services for small and medium-sized businesses.

Tech Data will offer its resellers and systems integrators XO's converged IP voice and data services, including XO SIP, which delivers converged voice and data services to businesses with IP-PBX systems over a single, high-speed connection.

XO SIP delivers converged voice and data services to businesses with IP-PBX systems over a single, high-speed connection. XO SIP features include unlimited local calling; unlimited site to site calling; long distance; dedicated Internet access; optional voice compression and online management.

Sale Ahead for EarthLink?

EarthLink Executive Vice President Mike Lunsford, who acted as interim CEO after the death of former CEO Garry Betty, is leaving the company at the end of the year. Earthlink CTO Jon Kerner also is said to be leaving, as is Vice President of Production Operations Eric Alfaro. Kip Morgan, former EarthLink Vice President for Direct Marketing, Access and Audience, also has gone elsewhere.

When such things happen, one normally expects a sale of assets, which is what many observers expected when Rolla Huff took over at EarthLink.

T-Mobile, 3 Join 3G Networks

T-Mobile and 3 are pooling their U.K. 3G transmission networks, a move expected to reduce mobile tower sites by about 5,000 and save £2 billion in capital spending.

Kevin Russell, 3's UK chief executive, said the joint venture deal includes contingencies should either company be taken over, but both expect it to be a long relationship.

The move is not unprecedented, but still is unusual. Though not dictated by regulatory requirements, the move essentially creates a wholesale entity both retail networks will use to operate their businesses. It is not a structural separation, but certainly a functional separation.

By the end of 2009 the two companies plan to have 13,000 sites, covering 98 percent of the population with a mobile broadband network capable of speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.