Power in the Cloud : Using Cloud Computing to Build Information Systems at the Edge of Chaos [Perfect Paperback]

Jonathan Sapir (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2009

This book is a guide to building information systems at the ''edge of chaos''--that sweet spot for productive change, where front line workers have the capability to pursue their own solutions with minimal central control. The advent of cloud computing presents an unprecedented opportunity for organizations to revolutionize the way in which they build information systems, and in so doing, transform their business.

We live in a chaotic world of increasing and ceaseless change and uncertainty. And it is only going to get worse. But while it's true that times like these create unprecedented disruption and dislocation, they also create the potential for new power and new fortunes. The question therefore is: How do we prepare our organizations to not only survive, but to take advantage of the opportunities that rapid change inevitably brings?

This book focuses on the role of information systems in this endeavor. Information systems will become increasingly more critical to the success of every enterprise. How they are built and how they are used should therefore be foremost on the mind of anyone responsible for the well-being of an organization.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The fundamental way cloud computing technology will change the business world centers on the emergence of situational applications, not replacing core enterprise systems. To find out the what, why and how of situational applications read this book, especially if you are a non-techie business person. You'll learn that situational applications aren't about technology, they are about gaining extreme competitive advantage. --Peter Fingar, Author of Dot Cloud: The 21st Century Business Platform

The way we buy and build and deploy business applications is finally changing and it is changing beyond all recognition -- and it's happening very quickly. This shift towards application assembly rather than software development is going to give the business user more control over what is required and when. Find out what impact this is going to have on your ability to compete in an unpredictable world by reading this book. It will change the way you look at IT forever. --Jon Pyke, Chair Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC) and CSO, Cordys

Jonathan Sapir has proven over and over to be a thought-leader far ahead of his time. He has significant insight, appreciation, and knowledge of complex IT movements and has a knack for distilling them in a way that is practical and hands-on. Those looking to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world would do well to read this book. --Ronald Schmelzer, Managing Partner, ZapThink --Ronald Schmelzer, Managing Partner, ZapThink

The way we buy and build and deploy business applications is finally changing and it is changing beyond all recognition -- and it's happening very quickly. This shift towards application assembly rather than software development is going to give the business user more control over what is required and when. Find out what impact this is going to have on your ability to compete in an unpredictable world by reading this book. It will change the way you look at IT forever. --Jon Pyke, Chair Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC) and CSO, Cordys

Jonathan Sapir has proven over and over to be a thought-leader far ahead of his time. He has significant insight, appreciation, and knowledge of complex IT movements and has a knack for distilling them in a way that is practical and hands-on. Those looking to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world would do well to read this book. --Ronald Schmelzer, Managing Partner, ZapThink

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Meghan-Kiffer Press (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929652312
• ISBN-13: 978-0929652313
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,367,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of cloud computing and situational applications, March 5, 2010

By 

P. OMalley (Newtonville, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Power in the Cloud : Using Cloud Computing to Build Information Systems at the Edge of Chaos (Perfect Paperback)

This book provides an excellent overview of the enabling technologies and the business applications of cloud computing. It also explains with great clarity the rise of situational applications: applications that sophisticated business users or analysts can create quickly--and at low cost--without a programmer from the IT department, by using a cloud-based platform like [...] or Intuit's Quickbase. Situational applications (SAs) make it economically feasible to build applications for a small number of users, and/or applications that may have a short life. SAs can share common databases and other resources, and can therefore connect with one another to create new kinds of organically evolving business computing ecologies within and across organizations. Author Jonathan Sapir covers a wide range of issues, from technology and the evolution of the role of IT in large organizaitons, to the theory of complex adaptive systems. He covers all of this ground with a very clear writing style that makes all of the concepts accessible to the average (non-IT) business reader. The concepts are presented in a very practical, grounded manner, rooted in Jonathan's many years of experience in building software for organizations including IBM.