A: Cloud computing is an emerging trend, and the picture here is very satisfying. We are finding that many Indian companies are taking a lot of interest in this model. It is enabling a new class of entrepreneurs since one doesn't need to build offices, distribution centres, datacentres or really infrastructure of any kind - everything is managed in the cloud. Also, the current economic downturn has compelled many an enterprises to think about cloud.

As you say that necessity is the mother of invention, the necessity of reducing Capex as well Opex has forced enterprises to think beyond conventional means. The potential in India is huge. There are more than 8 million SMBs. And if I refer to a Springboard report, then the market size could touch $260 million by 2011 that is in just two years. Still, I'd say, that is just the beginning.

A: Compared to India, trends and adoption practices are more matured in the developed markets like the US and the EU. But still, I'd say, seeing the potential of cloud computing, even the developed markets are at an adolescent stage, if not at infancy. However, the adoption rate in APAC is very encouraging. Some markets are moving faster than the developed countries.

A: Cloud computing is a different kind of solution, and it’s really very difficult to say which verticals are more pro-cloud. Because whichever industry intends to lower its expenditure, without compromising with quality would go for cloud.  In India, we have seen tech cautious companies embracing cloud with open arms. However, in general, manufacturing, pharma, healthcare and education sectors are adopting cloud faster than other verticals.

A: We have more than 1,35,000 customised applications for various requirements and all applications have their own demand, but the most selling product has been our CRM application. More than 50,000 enterprises and 1.5 million subscribers are using Salesforce CRM. That is the most on-demand application across industry verticals.

A: Cloud computing is a general concept that includes many things. In the case of Salesforce.com, we see cloud computing encompassing both Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS),  through Internet. The PaaS ecosystem is growing faster than others except SaaS.

Our Force.com provides a platform from where developers can build and deliver any application, all without buying or maintaining any infrastructure. These applications are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on our servers. The Force.com PaaS provides the necessary building blocks to make cloud computing real time for enterprises.

A: Though the response of Government agencies is not that satisfying in India as of now, but they have started thinking about cloud seriously. And any government has justified reasons to be apprehensive about a new technology as they have to think about the whole nation before taking a decision. Awareness level about cloud in government departments are comparatively low which is another factor of slow adoption.

A: Many government agencies in the US, more prominently in San Francisco, Singapore and Australia are using cloud computing and other cloud solutions for the last few years.

Here, we are actively in discussions with the government agencies, creating awareness, showing them various case studies of governmental deployments elsewhere for requirements that matches India. Though, the discussions are at various level, I'd say, it has been very satisfying till date.

gyana.swain@9dot9.in