The New Cloud Computing Economics: Too Big To Measure

If you want to get a better grasp of what cloud computing can do for business, don’t turn to technical manuals, and don’t bet on anyone’s cost savings estimates. Rather, check out a seminal work first published in 1995, by Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema called The Discipline of Market Leaders. Their insights on what it takes to succeed in business provides valuable lessons on the direction cloud efforts need to take as well.

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Microsoft Turns Billion Dollar Write-Off Into Strategic Success With Nokia

Last week’s announcement that the Nokia name was returning to the world of smartphones has been welcomed by many, although the byzantine deal to do so has raised some eyebrows. It should also prove beneficial to one company. Even though Microsoft is ‘walking away’, the deal maximizes Microsoft’s return for a resource that was previously written-off. The community welcomes back Nokia, and Microsoft welcomes the community back into its cloud.

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Auto Insurers Increasingly Use Tech To Set Premiums

Earlier last month Progressive reached a deal with UBER to insure their drivers in Texas, and it will use a novel technique to price their coverage. As part of their agreement, the insurer will use its Snapshot device to monitor the rideshare drivers. During a May 6 question-and-answer session, Progressive CEO Glenn Renwick told analysts that with this technology “we know what the vehicle is doing, where it’s going, route intensity, braking intensity.” Together, these data points can help Progressive to better model the risk of insuring drivers, which can allow them to better decide what premiums to charge.

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