Know where you're sticking your data. False Wiki articles claim that CloudShare is US based and backed by Google and Apple. But, that just doesn't smell right, with Cloudshare pushing Windows Server OS, and Windows XP and Windows 7; you'd figure they'd be pushing Chrome and some form of Linux. So, you dig a little further, and find out (whois lookups) that CloudShare is actually based in Israel. Granted that Israel is in Allie, but with all the fall-out yet to be seen for WikiLeaks, who'd want some shmuck at the state dept or state govt level to start pushing real data into CloudShare?? Who'd want their HR/payroll dept to start using this, and putting all of YOUR payroll records in cyberspace?
THINK about what you're doing.
Many suppliers of cloud services are doing their best to distinguish themselves from the pack and bring out easy-to-use, easy-to-manage and easy-on-the-budget products. CloudShare, one of those suppliers, recently launched a portfolio of products.
What CloudShare has to say about this product barrage
CloudShare today announced its winter 2010 release lineup, including CloudShare Enterprise version 5.0, CloudShare ProPlus (new product) and CloudShare Pro. CloudShare is a self-service cloud platform that enables businesses to create, collaborate on and run full enterprise applications instantly and on-demand. Individuals, small teams and large enterprises useCloudShare to create virtual data centers for application development and testing, demos, proofs of concept, and training.
CloudShare Enterprise 5.0 Delivers Enhanced Self-Service Capabilities
CloudShare Enterprise provides a turnkey, cloud platform for teams that create, issue, and collaborate on many enterprise application environments. Features include custom branding, multi-tiered user hierarchy and management, advanced analytics, support for workflow and line-of-business functionality such as salesforce.com integration.
CloudShare Enterprise 5.0 introduces:
- Enhanced training features including class scheduling, class portal, bulk student invitations, instructor accounts and “over the shoulder” screen-sharing
- Rich editor for self-service user interface (UI)
- Zero-install remote desktop access to virtual machines without downloading or installing any client
- Virtual hardware editing, including increasing RAM, number of CPUs and HDD size
- VMware ESX direct console access for faster connection
New CloudShare ProPlus for Professionals Who Need More Machines, Software, Hard Drive and RAM Capacity
CloudShare ProPlus (new product) is designed for developers, IT professionals, consultants and other individuals and small teams to instantly create, share and manage multiple copies of complex, virtual IT environments in the cloud. It includes all the features of the free CloudShare Pro product, plus the following:
- Larger, editable RAM and disk space (up to 10 GB and 300 GB total)
- Larger suite of fully-licensed, preinstalled operating systems and applications including Linux, Win Server 2003-2008, Windows XP and Windows 7, SharePoint 2010, Oracle 11g and more
- Available using up to six virtual machines
CloudShare ProPlus is generally available now at introductory, all-inclusive pricing of $49 per month for unlimited hours.
Free CloudShare Pro Comes Out of Beta - Users Can Create and Share Mini-Data Centers in the Cloud in Minutes
Officially out of beta, CloudShare Pro is the free individual version of the CloudShare platform that has enabled thousands around the world to instantly create, share and manage virtual IT environments online. CloudShare Pro includes fully licensed, pre=installed Linux and Windows operating systems and applications, virtual machines, storage, bandwidth and CPU usage at no cost. Its patent-pending FastUploadTM functionality enables users to import virtual machines running in a local environment to the CloudShare environment in minutes.
Snapshot analysis
CloudShare is one of a number of companies that I’ve come across that intend to revolutionize how organizations use IT technology to support their operations. While I don’t really support their attempt to proulgate a new acronym ( ITaS or “IT as a Service”), I think that much of what they’re doing is quite interesting.
That being said, It is clear that they’re going after the same customers as SkyTap and a few others and will need to be very creative in how they reach out to the market.
I intend to watch what this company does in the future.
