The 'Cloud Rush' is in full force. Keeping to keep pace with the escalating stream of new Cloud offerings, various corporate announcements and industry events, as well as the widening array of THINKstrategies client engagements, the month of May passed by too quickly for us to send out our monthly Update. So, this Update has plenty of information and insight about the latest trends in the Cloud industry and resources on the Cloud Showplace.

We are seeing Clouds everywhere. The proliferation of players in the Cloud market is exemplified by the Cloud Showplace's recent milestone of exceeding 1700 companies listings across over 90 Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) categories. Although the Showplace continues to be the largest, vendor-independent, online directory of Cloud companies and best practice resources, we are convinced that there are many other vendors offering Cloud solutions.

THINKstrategies' unique position as the curator of the Cloud Showplace enables us to see many of the most interesting new players in the market. As a result, NetworkWorld recently sought my opinion regarding some of the hottest SaaS start-ups in the IT management and business application areas.

CIOs are no longer fighting the "consumerization of IT" and end-user adoption of Cloud solutions. Instead, they are adopting policies and procedures to properly manage this trend to mitigate the security and compliance risks.

The proliferation of players in the Cloud market poses additional risks. 'Cloud-washing' is becoming increasingly prevalent as established vendors attempt to repurpose their existing hardware and software products and call them Cloud solutions. Even enterprises are at risk of entrepreneurial failures as they attempt to commercialize their internal competencies to capitalize on the rapidly growing Cloud market. And, even some of the biggest players continue to suffer service disruptions and raise privacy issues surrounding their Cloud services.

THINKstrategies' views regarding today's Cloud trends are being sought by a widening assortment of online and industry venues, including IBM's Infoboom and Hubspan's blog, the SIIA's All about the Cloud conference, and Xactly's first user conference, CompCloud.You can even find a recent video here in which I provide our perspectives regarding the new Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) opportunities.

This Update provides THINKstrategies' perspectives on the rapidly evolving opportunities and challenges created by today's Cloud Computing marketplace based on the newest company information posted on the Cloud Showplace, recent indusry events and announcements, and insights garnered from our latest consulting engagements.

There is a list of the latest Cloud vendors to add their company information to the Showplace right on the homepage, along with a real-time tally of the total number of companies listed in the directory. We can also provide plenty of statistics regarding the number of companies listed by application, industry, region and other key demographics upon request.

We continue to spotlight Cloud Computing companies that are delivering measurable business benefits to their users through our ongoing Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) and Cloud Computing Business Value (CCBV) Award programs. Contact me if you'd like to determine if your Cloud company qualifies for these awards.

THINKstrategies continues to advise and educate corporate decision-makers, solution providers, investors, press and others about the business implications of the Cloud Computing movement. Contact me if you'd like to discuss ways THINKstrategies can help you leverage the Cloud to achieve your business objectives.

More than 13,700 people subscribe to this newsletter, and THINKstrategies' updates are being followed by over 1480 people via Twitter, with even more people reading about THINKstrategies' views on our blog and elsewhere. You can also stay abreast of the latest Cloud news identitied via Twitter by subscribing to THINKstrategies' SaaS/Cloud Daily update, powered by Paper.li.

Thanks to the Cloud Computing Showplace sponsors for their continued support. Some of the most recent sponsors are listed in the left column of this newsletter. Please visit their websites to learn more about their solutions.

I hope you find the new Cloud Showplace and this newsletter useful. Please contact me if you have any suggestions, or would like to learn more about how your organization can take advantage of the Cloud Showplace sponsorship benefits or THINKstrategies' other services to capitalize on the Cloud market opportunities.

Finally, please support my Pan-Mass Challenge ride to fight cancer. It is a wonderful event and worthwhile cause. Thanks for your continued support.

Best regards,

Jeff Kaplan

Managing Director

THINKstrategies, Inc.

Cloud Computing Showplace 

Twitter:@thinkstrategies

One of THINKstrategies' newest clients is Exoprise, a start-up that recently conducted an online survey that uncovered lingering concerns among IT and business decision-makers about moving down the Cloud path. The problems didn't revolve around the usual security, reliability or integration challenges. Instead, it is the lack of objective tools to measure the quantative value of Cloud alternatives which is holding some organizations back. Click here to read more about Exoprise's findings, and here to obtain their survey report.

THINKstrategies also provided advice and insight in the planning, preparation and promotion of Grant Thornton's recent survey regarding SaaS security and compliance risks. Click here to get a copy.

Contact us if you'd like to learn how your organization can leverage THINKstrategies' perspectives and services to address your business challenges and capitalize on today's market opportunities.

THINKstrategies and the Cloud Showplace continue to recognize SaaS, PaaS and IaaS providers that are delivering measurable business benefits to their customers through our Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) and Cloud Computing Business Value (CCBV) Award programs.

Innotas and Smartsheet are the latest BoSS Award winners, and TrackVia is are most recent CCBV Award winner.

Click here to read more about the Cloud Showplace Award programs, other winners, and the rules for applying and winning a BoSS or CCBV Award. 

THINKstrategies is participating in and supporting a broad series of industry and corporate events focused on the business implications of the SaaS, Cloud Computing, and Managed Services markets, including:

 For the fifth year, THINKstrategies is participating in the two-day, 186 mile cycling ride called, the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), to raise monies to combat cancer.

The PMC is the largest athletic fundraising event in the U.S., raising over $30 million  to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Institute cancer research and treatment efforts. Every dollar raised goes to these world-class organizations.

Click here to read about our Team Kermit which specifically rides for the Jared Branfman Sunflowers For Life Fund For Pediatric Brain And Spinal Cancer Research. Click here to contribute and support our ride.Thanks for your help!