The Official Cloudize Blog

Top 3 Reasons why it’s so difficult to find what you’re looking for

Edwin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:27:48 +0000

The Cloudize team has a strong background in the enterprise, consulting, and applications world. As such, we’ve probably worked, interviewed, and launched applications for hundreads of companies and probably thousands of end-users. In that time, we’ve noticed a lot of things that work and more vividly, things that don’t work. While designing Cloudize, we wanted to zero-in on why such a painful problem as locating a file or discovering documents to a particular subject or topic; still exists today.

So here it is, the Top 3 Reasons why it’s so difficult to find what you’re looking for:

1) Silos of Repositories – An organization has many “opportunities” to store information in silos. Examples of this can be personal desktops, Microsoft Outlook, geographic or segragated business unit servers, FTPs, Network Drives, ECM Applications, or other storage-enabled applications. This information is decentralized and difficult to locate.

2) Files are stagnant – After a document is uploaded to a repository, it essentially dies. Unless the location path is shared or the user knows the exact search criteria, assuming search is available; the document is effectively lost or buried.

3) Capital and Operational Expenditure – Managing and allocating all of the software, hardware, implementation, IT resources, and maintenance costs often exceed the ROI of content management or file repository solutions. Additionally, frequent limitations are evident such as geographic availability, new features, and storage limitations.

Do you agree, disagree, or just want to say hi? Let us know by leaving a comment.

Thanks,
Edwin

Enterprise 2.0…not just buzz.

Edwin — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:43:34 +0000

We’ve been doing a lot of research recently on just what market Cloudize addresses. Time and time again, we have come across the concept of Enterprise 2.0. Initially, we wanted to refrain from this association, but after careful research, it seems that there is some teeth to this concept. Essentially, Enterprise 2.0 utilizes productive features of Web 2.0 to solve a real Enterprise problem.

More abstractly, Enterprise 2.0 utilizes social features that will enable organizations to flatten or open their traditional organizational communication channels which will effectively catalyze productivity.

So essentially, applying innovation to the enterprise ecosystem. Seems Taboo.

Take a look at a great deck that solidifies the concept and more importantly, conveys where we feel the Enterprise is heading…

Enterprise 2.0

Vote for Cloudize - Launchpad Round 1 - Enterprise Conference 2.0

Edwin — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:05:25 +0000

Hey Cloudize Fans,

We’ve submitted our Cloudize for Salesforce product to the Enterprise 2.0 Conference Launchpad. In case you’re wondering, the term Enterprise 2.0 actually has a finite definition despite the catchy connotations. The Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) defines Enterprise 2.0 as “a system of web-based technologies that provide rapid and agile collaboration, information sharing, emergence and integration capabilities in the extended enterprise.”

We feel that the Launchpad session would be ideal and most fitting conference to show-off our product. Please take a moment to vote for us here:

http://enterprise2blog.com/2009/05/vote-now-enterprise-2-conference-launch-pad-round-1/

Our submission is the following Tweet:

@cloudize: Cloudize for Salesforce is a socially-driven content storage solution stored completely and securely, in the cloud.

Thanks,
Cloudize Team

Cloudize for Salesforce.com Teaser

Edwin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:28:52 +0000

We’ve been slammed working through product features, UI, UX, and Salesforce’s VisualForce and APEX to the point of exhaustion and health decay. (Seriously, I went to the doctor today - no worries, I’m okay). After repeated requests by our prospects, partners, and friends, we’ve come very close. We’re preparing to launch in private-beta for our Salesforce.com product in mid-May, so if you’re interested, please go to www.cloudize.net and sign-up for notification.

Until then, we are overwhelmed with temptation and feel the need to show pre-release screenshots:

Embedded Component in Salesforce Records
(Accounts, Contacts, Opportunites, Cases, Custom Objects)

File-Level View - Cloudize for Salesforce Repository

Dashboard View of the Cloudize Repository for Salesforce

Got Feedback?
efu AT cloudize.net

Under the Radar Conference - Our Thoughts

Edwin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:53:33 +0000

What a great and unique event! This is the first conference I’ve been to where the VCs, Entrepreneurs, and the Press are able to mingle quite intimately. Usually, one party is sitting on a high chair and leaves before lunch breaks out. My only reservations were that UTR seemed far better positioned for a later-stage startup as opposed to an early-stage. One recommendation would be for DealMakerMedia (host of UTR) to substantially reduce the cost for cost-conscious start-ups. The cost for a one-day pass was nearly $700.

Nevertheless, the presentations were awesome as our personal favorites came down to CloudKick, Symplified, Usable, and Zuora. Each of these companies had a strong and consistent message around their product and value-add. In a conference of “game-changing and paradigm-shifting” technology companies, we felt this was one of the more important aspects of the pitch presentation.

In a related note, Maha Ibrahim (General Partner, Canaan Partners) was like a shark biting at the value propositions of these startups. She lashed her questions with ferocity and demanded knowledgeable and thought-provoking responses. Based on her facial response and body language - she was not awarded with many. We both respect and fear Maha. Here at Cloudize, we’ve learned who NOT to be enemies with…

Lastly, we wanted to note that we got a great opportunity to solicit feedback from the demi-gods of technology. For instance, we got to pitch UTR moderator and President of Cloud Business, Rackspace, Lew Moorman. The guy is sharp as a razor with a piercing stare that would intimidate Chuck Norris, however Lew seemed to like and understand the value of little ol’ Cloudize. Awesome!

The full wrap-up can be found here:
http://www.undertheradarblog.com/blog/announcing-under-the-radar-winners-whos-on-cloud-nine/

Enjoy some of our snapshots from the conference.

Some Quick Event Updates…

Edwin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:05:03 +0000

We’ve been hard at work producing the most innovative file collaboration app and now, we have some opportunities to provide a sneak peak.

1) We’ll be at the Under the Radar Conference (April 24, 2009) in Mountain View with some of the most innovative and well-known companies in the technology space. Early-stage companies include Zuora, Zimory, CloudKick, and Nirvanix. Established companies include Salesforce.com, Google, Amazon Web Services, Rackspace, and venture funds include Mayfield, Canaan, Hummer Winbald, and First Round.

We’ll be co-hosting a space with Nirvanix and demo’ing (for the first time) our Cloudize for Salesforce.com app!

Find more info here:
http://www.undertheradarblog.com/

2) We’re also a nominee for the TiECON 2009 50. Cloudize is in the running as one of the hottest 50 startups in software! Cross your fingers for us…we’ll update as we get the news.

Find more info here:
http://www.tiecon.org/home/tie

Also one last thing, if you guys can help ‘digg us’ that would be appreciated:
http://digg.com/d1okQE

Thanks everyone,
Edwin
efu AT Cloudize.net

Cloudize is interviewed at TechCrunch’s Whose Cloud is it Anyway

Edwin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:42:37 +0000

We thought TechCrunch did an exceptional job at the cloud event. The expert panel had a great conversational approach (as opposed to the standard conference marketing jabber). It was also interesting to watch Marc Benioff’s relentless jabs at Microsoft’s Amitabh Srivastava (Corporate VP of Windows Azure). Srivastava handled the jabs with tact and a professional cool.

At the cocktail reception, there was an extraordinary opportunity and easy access to most of the expert panel with the noticeable exception of Marc Benioff. For example, we were able to speak to Srivastava and Sun Microsystems one-on-one around cloud platforms and attractive features for cloud entrepreneurs. Each of these guys gave us a good chunk of their time and stayed focused to our questions.

Alexa Lee of Ooyala.com, a high quality video technology syndication service, interviewed some of the entrepreneurs around our thoughts, concerns, and predictions for cloud computing. Our interview can be found by scrolling to option 19.

TechCrunch’s coverage is available here:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/01/the-cloud-is-the-new-dotcom-video-highlights/

Going to TechCrunch’s Cloud Roundtable and Meetup 2/27

Edwin — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:22:41 +0000

Tomorrow, Cloudize will be at TechCrunch’s “Whose Cloud is Anyway?” Roundtable and Meetup at the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus. The meetup seeks to answer the following:

1) Will there emerge one victorious cloud platform?

2) Will cloud computing applications become simply mashups of the best cloud apps/platforms/services?

3) We know that the consumer web has headed to the cloud…what enterprise apps will be next?

The panel includes some big players such as:

Dan’l Lewin, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft
George Zachary, partner, Charles River Ventures
Geoff Ralston, CEO LaLa
David Bernstein, VP/General Manager, Cisco
David Kralik, Silicon Valley office Director of Newt Gingrich

Marc Benioff, CEO, Salesforce.com
Vic Gundotra, VP Engineering, Google
Amitabh Srivastava, Corporate VP, Windows Azure
Lew Tucker, CTO, Cloud Computing, Sun Microsystems
Scott Dietzen, SVP Communications Products, Yahoo
Paul Buchheit, Co-founder, FriendFeed; creator of Gmail
Werner Vogels, CTO Amazon
Mike Schroepfer, VP of Engineering, Facebook
Gina Bianchini, CEO, Ning
John Engates, CTO, Rackspace

You should check it out:

http://www.techcrunch.com/whose-cloud-is-it-anyway/

See you there,

Edwin

Just launched our blog!

Edwin — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:54:04 +0000

Here at Cloudize, we’re excited about all the new tasks involved in building a great business. Our first and most important item is to open a dialogue and level of transparency of the happenings here at Cloudize.

We hope that this blog will be that ‘window’ between the Cloudize Camp and you.

Blog Soon,

Edwin

efu AT cloudize.net