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8 Cloud Computing Books Worth Reading On Cloudy Summer Days

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With the summer season rapidly descending upon those in the northern hemisphere, it's time to kick it down a notch and engage in some less stressful pursuits than running a business -- namely, reading up on cloud computing.  Let's face it, there will be cloudy days through the summer, so why not get into a cloud frame of mind?

With that in mind, here are some of the works that really help clarify and cut through the confusion on what cloud computing is and can be. These are all works published over the past few years that document the cloud story:

Why Buy the Cow? How the On-Demand Revolution Powers the New Knowledge Economy, by Subrah S. Iyar with Cindy Gordon. Subrah is co-founder of WebEx, which can be considered among the first cloud or Software-as-a-Service applications to see widespread adoption. This book, written slightly ahead of its time (2007), makes the fundamental argument for subscribing to online services versus buying on-premises software.  Pithy quote: "To thrive in the future, companies must free themselves of the burdens of static, self-maintained software systems."

Cloudonomics: The Business Value of Cloud Computing, by Joe Weinman. Joe's book is the first, and most comprehensive, look at the numbers behind cloud. He dissects the real costs and returns from cloud, and provides guidance on on making it work for the business. Pithy quote: "Companies have challenges in managing variable and unpredictable demand. Traditional approaches shifted the locus of the problem without addressing it in any way, much like blowing your fallen leaves onto your neighbor's lawn. However the cloud creates genuine economic value in unique ways."

Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology and Architecture, by Thomas Erl, Zaigham Mahmood and Ricardo Puttini. Thomas is an outstanding thought leader behind the emerging class of service technologies, and this book is packed with details on cloud management and patterns. Pithy quote: "Those who understand [the cloud computing] opportunity can seize it to leverage proven and mature components of cloud platforms not only to fulfill existing strategic business goals, but to inspire businesses to set new objectives and directions based on the extent to which cloud-driven innovation can further help optimize business operations."

Architecting the Cloud: Design Decisions for Cloud Computing Service Models, by Michael J. Kavis. Mike is a contributor here at Forbes. His book is a good deep-dive for those wishing to understand, at still a high level, the technical fundamentals of cloud computing. Pithy quote: "The cloud culture only knows a world that is cloudy. Since this generation never has had to deal with mainframes, large enterprise systems, locked-down corporate desktops, seven layers of management, and all the glory of working in large enterprises, they are able to think and innovate with fewer constraints than those who came before them."

The Agile Architecture Revolution: How Cloud Computing, REST-Based SOA, and Mobile Computing Are Changing Enterprise IT, by Jason Bloomberg. Jason is also a fellow contributor here at Forbes. For many years now, he has been the go-to guy for advice and perspectives on architecture, and this book does not disappoint. Pithy quote: "With checklist architecture, it appears that there are clear business requirements that the architectures will address -- only there aren't. In fact, checklist architecture is just another way to achieve dramatic levels of business/IT misalignment, and furthermore, this mistake can be a spectacular waste of money."

Management Strategies for the Cloud Revolution: How Cloud Computing is Transforming Business and Why You Can't Afford to be Left Behind, by Charles Babcock. Charles discusses the essential elements that need to be brought together to make cloud work.  It's an early perspective (2010), but it still maps the way. Pithy quote: "[The cloud] will augment processing with powerful in-the-cloud services that can perform feats previously considered beyond the reach of all but the most elite. Inside the cloud, the user lives amid an illusion of infinity, resources of endless bounty."

Lean IT: Transforming and Sustaining Your Lean Transformation, by Steven C. Belland Michael A. Orzen. This book doesn't tackle cloud head-on, but makes the case for managing IT in a simpler, cheaper and more responsive way to the business-- and that's what cloud is all about.  Pithy quote: "A lean enterprise should empower teams to simplify, then when appropriate, automate routine tasks."

Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age, by Tom Peters. While published back in 2003, way before cloud became a defining term in the business technology space,  this book resonates very deeply to this day, the era of disruption. In this book, Tom reaches out at you from every page, grabs you by the collar (in a friendly way), and shakes any conventional thoughts you may have had about business from your head. Pithy quote: "In 2002, I tried (without success) to induce Stanford University to retract my MBA."