Cloud is here to stay for suburban providers
Vernon Hills-based CDW, which offers cloud computing data centers and other services, has issued its first survey about what clients are doing with this evolving technology.
The study showed that 84 percent of the 1,200 respondents said their organization employs at least one cloud-based application, typically email or conferencing. That's good news about the future of cloud services, especially since it's a major shift in how computing resources are provided and managed, said David Cottingham, CDW senior director of managed services.
“The results confirm that this is not a hype thing,” Cottingham said.
Cloud computing has been growing among all types of businesses because it can store data via the web by using data centers anywhere in the world. It also can take your computer disk drive, memory, network interface and other components, as well as a company's typical server room, and reproduce them in the cloud.
Still, the survey had mixed results on companies selling cloud-based services. Even cloud-using companies project that they will use no more than one-third of their IT budgets for cloud resources over the next 5 years.
“It provides some guidance to us on what our customers are thinking,” Cottingham said. “And it allows us to advise our customers on the right IT solutions.”
Surfing: Etymotic Research (www.etymotic.com) of Elk Grove Village has made some changes to its noise-isolating earphones, called hf3 and mc3. They're designed to work with iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and now include Awareness, an Etymotic app that “listens” to users' surrounding and mixes any noise louder than normal background sounds directly into the earphones. The app allows listeners to change sound level settings so they can hear things around them, like when they're jogging outside or waiting for the boarding call at the airport. The packaging also includes a QR code that allows consumers to learn more about the features and connect directly to the registration site, the company said. The mc3 sells for $99 at all Apple stores, Amazon.com and Etymotic.com. The hf3 is available at those site as well as in Best Buy for $179.
Ÿ Longtime maker of power tools Skil, in Mount Prospect, is offering do-it-yourselfers a chance to upload their photos of their best projects to www.facebook.com/skil for a chance to win a gift card up to $1,500 and up to $500 worth of Skil tools.
Ÿ Comcast Corp., which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, said customers using iPhone and iPad can download a new version of its Xfinity TV app. Since last November about 2 million users have downloaded the app so they can use their devices to stream On Demand videos.
Ÿ You can dispose of your unwanted electronics between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jun 11, at Wolff's Flea Market, 1775 N. Rand Rd., Palatine. COM2 Recycling Solutions will be on hand to collect them. In return, you'll get free admission to the flea market. For more, call (847) 524-9590.
Ÿ Glenview-based Mead Johnson Nutrition has launched its new iPhone app called Expecting Baby from the makers of Enfamil infant formula. It allows moms-to-be to share every moment of pregnancy with photos and updates via Facebook, Twitter and email. The free download is at enfamil.com/app or at the Apple iTunes Store.
ŸFollow Anna Marie Kukec on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter. Write to her at akukec@dailyherald.com.