BHAG alert: cloud computing is the new black.

For more then ten years, cloud computing has been seriously in the making. Companies like eBay, Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft pioneered in delivering mass online services to consumers, while innovators like Salesforce.com and DoubleClick led the way for businesses with their ASP models (Application Software providers). Now CNet reports that the associated SaaS trend (Software as a Service) seems to be really picking up.

Of course, 'going in the air' is not always a smooth ride, as Apple's MobileMe launch proved. But if you really want to catch the drift around the cloud, read this article in Wired magazine. It explains how Amazon.com is evolving way beyond the traditional bookstore business model, into that of a digital utility - in fact into the perfect mesh of grid computing and premium logistics services that integrates a complete supply chain and covers both the digital and the "brick" part. The exciting news is that Amazon seems to approach this in a way that seems a natural fit for the company, even if it is a very audacious challenge.

Oh no, we noticed another BHAG!

(1. Hit the link to see a list of famous BHAG's. 2. Get inspired. - By the way, notice that Amazon's Jeff Bezos refers to Sony's BHAG in the Wired article - funny coincidence).

Of course, there are also those who believe that, in order to maximize computing efficiency and user experience, we should keep a connection between the desktop and the cloud. Like a space elevator. Or more specifically, that as a private user or a business, you want to keep ownership and accessibility to your data all the time, even if you are offline. Adobe's Air (Kevin Lynch from Adobe Systems explains their approach in MIT Tech Review - see video), Microsoft's WL/Silverlight and Google Gears are all enablers of desktop applications that achieve this vision.

So, how does this inspire you today?