Recently Panduit presented a discussion between their Director of Global Solutions, Jeff Paliga, and Global Solutions Manager for Data Centers, Todd LaCognata, on the topic of "What Is A Smart Data Center?"
Paliga said a smart data center can be understood as "an innovative approach to looking at the entire data center collectively." That means, he explained, that "all the stakeholders up front are in the process," covering everything - the planning, design and installation of the data center.
Real benefits and savings are in the operational side, Paliga said, adding that they represent "75 percent of the cost."
LaCognata said that historically, "IT and facilities have been two separate organizations," usually in a siloed approach, and that the goal of a smart data center "is to bring those organizations together, to really coexist and be on the same page when addressing the needs of the data center."
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In 2009, 37 percent of all American businesses reported using outsourced or managed telecommunications.
A recent white paper by industry observer Lisa Pierce offers tips for organizations thinking of going the managed network route:
Do your homework. Since the shortage of expert staff is one of the many reasons companies turn to managed services, ask potential providers about retention, training and tenure of employees in key line functions.
Know who you are dealing with. If these are strong, long-term relationships, Pierce says, there is every reason for the primary provider to disclose the identity and nature of all the partners it works with in delivering the services and support you are paying for -- and from their point of view, hopefully will be paying for a long time.
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Googlehas said that it will introduce a search policy in continental Europe that's been in place in North America for the past six years.
Starting September 14, according to The New York Times, advertisers can 'buy and use as keywords terms that have been trademarked by others... Previously, brand owners could file a trademark complaint with Google to prevent third-party ads from being returned alongside the results of a search of a trademarked name, like Louis Vuitton or Prada.'
According to The Wall Street Journal, 'Brand owners previously had a monopoly on the ad space,' said Yoram Elkaim, head of Google's legal division in Europe. Under the new terms, advertisers will still not be allowed to use the trademarked word in the text of their ad in Europe.'
This has been the policy in Britain and Ireland in 2008. Google officials say the move stems from a decision by the European Court of Justice in March, the Times says, where 'the court broadly ruled that Google had respected trademark law by allowing advertisers to bid for keywords corresponding to third-party trademarks.'
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Industry observer David Kaplan notes that Google 'is set to make another not-so-small acquisition, this time for virtual currency company Jambool,' citing TechCrunch reports saying the price is 'estimated to be around $70 million, including earnouts.'
Seth Weintraub depicts the move as 'stressing out' Facebook, who must be feeling squarely within Google's crosshairs: 'Social Gold is a direct competitor with Facebook Credits for social currency that act as payments to developers and game companies. Just in time, because Google picked up social gaming site Slide last week for $220 million or so.
Jambool's Social Gold platform, Kaplan says, 'lets developers create their own white-labeled virtual currency systems. It powers virtual payment systems within big name apps and online games, including Lil' Green Patch and Mafia Wars.'
