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Sun shuttering Network.com, introducing Cloud Computing services

Steve — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:05:57 +0000

In a December 9th “chalk talk” session with Sun CTO Lew Tucker and Senior VP David Douglas, Sun announced plans to shutter its current Network.com service and introduce a new Cloud Computing business unit.

Included in their plans for the new division: the ability to purchase compute time on Sun’s server cloud with a credit card, allowing anyone from a company to allocate computing resources. This would allow any business user to provision their own servers and services without having to go to IT.

Sun’s pitch for the new cloud computing division is essentially two-fold: cost savings, along with eco friendliness:

For companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint and run an ecologically-responsible IT shop, cloud computing has a lot to offer. For example, a small company can run all of its business applications in a cloud and avoid operating a data center entirely. Similarly, a large company can expand into a cloud rather than build out its existing data center.

Overall, cloud computing means that fewer companies need to provide space to house their Web servers and the power to run and cool them. On the cloud provider’s side, the datacenter can be built to take advantage of natural resources, such as local hydro electric power, and designed with the most modern and efficient servers available.

This new business unit comes at a troubled time for Sun. Their first quarter fiscal year 2009 financial report showed a $1.67 bill USD loss, with a 7.1% decrease in overall revenue as compared with 2008. Sun’s stock price has slid 80% in value since December 2007.

More details at Sun’s website.

Clean Coal technology commercial popping up on TV

Steve — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Saw this recently, thought it was pretty good:

I get a kick out of sarcastic stuff.

Deloitte to develop renewable energy tech exhibit in San Jose

Steve — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:54:29 +0000

Deloitte, financial consulting firm extraordinaire, announced today that they’re working with The Tech Museum in San Jose, California to produce a new renewable energy exhibit as a part of their “pro bono professional services” drive:

The Tech and Deloitte will team up to develop a new exhibit tentatively called “Choices,” which will feature innovative renewable energy technologies that are alternatives to today’s fossil-based fuels. The cross-functional Deloitte team will be comprised of consultants who specialize in clean tech, alternative energy and sustainability. Deloitte will assist the The Tech in the conceptualization of the exhibit, help recommend energy resources to be featured and connect The Tech with leading technology innovators to generate ongoing support of the exhibit.

Deloitte’s pro bono work seems like a good PR boost for them, and it’s interesting to see that they’re investing in a renewable energy exhibit. But what does Deloitte know about renewable energy? I thought they were a financial services consulting company. Maybe they’re just taking advantage of the upcoming green bubble?