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There is of course still a lot of bluster surrounding Cloud Computing, and it will take some time before an agreed to set of definitions comes to light.  I particularly like the path that Phil Wainewright is charting though.  He’s been commentating on the space since the end of the 90’s and has a “no nonsense” approach I appreciate.

In an effort to simplify the discussion, a recent post of his, “When is a cloud not a cloud?“, begins to define different types of “Clouds” from the perspective of the original cloud - the internet.  He lists three different types - Captive Cloud, Public Cloud (AWS, the Xuropa Platform primary cloud provider), and Virtual Private Cloud (a “walled off” cloud within a Public Cloud, like AWS). 

The post is worth a read, but he starts to run aground on two points IMO.  Firstly, to isolate connectivity as the key defining characteristic is to emphasize what should be a “cost of entry” point, and glosses over real value differentiators (eg. resource management via API).  Secondly, he really does himself a disservice when he includes “Captive Clouds” as a type of cloud (even though he was trying to be ironic).  We already have a name for that - “datacenter”.  A collection of networked servers running something like VMWare behind a firewall is not a “cloud” of any description.  It is a datacenter with better hardware utilization than the datacenters of the 90’s.  That’s it.  To put the word “cloud” in the same sentence as “datacenter” reduces clarity rather than enhances it.

Posted under Xuropa, industry

Design and Verification Engineers Can Now Test-Drive More Software in Online Labs

San Francisco, California – October 13, 2009 – Xuropa^SM Incorporated today announced that Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) has added Incisive® Formal Verifier and Incisive Enterprise Specman-Elite ® Testbench to its Xuropa Online Labs.

Based upon the Cadence® SoC Functional Verification Kit, approved design and verification engineers can quickly and easily try out these two additional Cadence verification products and learn new techniques online. The SoC Functional Verification Kit automates and eases the adoption of new verification technologies that increase productivity and project predictability, from verification planning to closure.

Users can now also run testbench simulation and formal analysis on example circuits at their convenience from their desktops. Using only a standard web browser, approved visitors to Xuropa Labs™ can now access the following two new labs:

• Block, Chip, and System Testbench Verification with Incisive Enterprise Specman-Elite Testbench
• Connectivity Verification, Productivity Flows, and Designer Level Formal Analysis with Incisive Formal Verifier

The service is free to Xuropa members and dramatically simplifies the process of evaluating EDA software products. Users can begin to test-drive applications in minutes vs. the days or weeks it used to take to get agreements signed, software downloaded, and license keys installed.

Simplified Initial Product Evaluation

“We have seen the value that Xuropa Online Labs bring to enable customers to test-drive Incisive Verification IP online, and we are excited to meet more customer needs by expanding our offering,” said Sarah Lynne Lundell, Enterprise Verification Senior Product Marketing Manager at Cadence. “Today’s schedules are so tight, it is important to simplify the initial evaluation process. Removing the need for a Software Product License Agreement to evaluate new software lets design and verification engineers focus on the potential productivity, predictability and quality gains for their projects.”

Face-to-face meetings are always going to be important, but as design teams are now global, software vendors need to simultaneously engage multiple locations and accelerate the engagement process.

“The Xuropa Platform uses the power of Cloud Computing and web 2.0 technologies to accelerate the software sales process and increase revenues for software vendors,” Xuropa CEO and founder James Colgan explained. “The Xuropa team is very happy to see Cadence realize the returns of the platform and make more of their industry leading technology available on the platform.”

Availability

Xuropa Online Labs featuring Cadence Incisive Formal Verifier and Specman Elite Testbench are available today and accessible at no cost to authorized Xuropa members. Go to www.xuropa.com and sign-in for access. For information about how to create your own Online Lab, or any of the other Xuropa Platform products, please contact Xuropa at the address below.

About Xuropa Incorporated

The Xuropa Platform and a Xuropa Lab™ bridge the gap between traditional Enterprise Software and Software-as-a-Service business and distribution models. Xuropa^SM Incorporated was founded by veterans from the internet, IT, and electronics industries with the goal of transitioning Enterprise Software to a SaaS model to increase revenues and lower costs.  http://www.xuropa.com/

Contact:

sales@xuropa.com

+1 (415) 727-5741

Cadence, Specman-Elite and Incisive are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Posted under News, Xuropa