Govind Davis

We were recently Tweeted an inquiry about what exactly cloud computing means.  If you are listening in to tech chatter these days it's impossible to avoid the flurry of opinions about what the cloud is. So ... we figured we might as well add our two cents and spent a thought provoking morning developing a cloud stack analogy. Cloud services tend to fit into the category of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) or IaaS(Infrastructure-as-a-Service), each one delivering a service that encompasses the stack components below.  So, IaaS provides everything needed for server operation so that customers don't have to set-up their own server operation, hardware and server connectivity.  PaaS adds a further layer of integrating providing the traditional server stack elements and installed code bases and databases as well as frequently layering on a codele... (more)

PaaS & ETL in the Application Ecosystem

Our conversation continues about the optimal mix of technology to support business process.  In "Living IT, QuickBase Leads The Way", we discussed the concept of Living IT and why organizations should plan for changing and dynamic technology.  To elaborate further on this topic we want to introduce some ideas around what we refer to as the the Application Ecosystem and how technologies such as PaaS and ETL fit in. Core Systems The Application Ecosystem of an organization is a broad way to refer to the various technology tools that the organization uses.  This applies to governme... (more)

Tips for Efficient PaaS Application Design

On yet another application review with a prospective client the issue of potentially troublesome data entity relationships came up.  A number of our clients are existing QuickBase users who have made an initial attempt to design their applications and find that some assistance is needed.  The first thing we look at to understand their application requirements are the data entity relationships. This is done in the context of both their existing application as well as their general business requirement because often applications are not correctly designed to support the structure... (more)

Quickbase: Why RAM Matters

I first stumbled onto QuickBase more than five years ago as a Sourcing Manager at American Greetings. I was looking for a better way to collaborate with the Product Managers than sending a barrage of cost requests to my buying team.  My first app, the RFQ Manager, was an instant hit.  In fact, the Product Manager I tested it on liked it so much I did not even need to ask the other PM's to start using the tool, they were asking me where to sign up.  It wasn't long before I was literally touting QuickBase as "the best thing since sliced bread," but it would take five long years, hu... (more)

Web 2.0 Interconnectivity

In the recent TechWise blog PaaS & the cloud Continuum we discussed the structure and phenomenon of Cloud computing.  There really are two technological evolutions occurring simultaneously.  One is the movement of storage and services to the cloud and the other is the push to interconnect these services.  This shift to increased interconnectivity forms the basis of Web 2.0 If you browse the blogsphere for Web 2.0 articles you will often see terms like Service Oriented Architecure, API's, Web Services and WSDL's.  These all refer to methods and technologies that allow Cloud based... (more)