A Cloud Computing Dictionary

A look at cloud computing, cloud terminology, cloud technologies, private versus public clouds, cloud computing vendors, and fun cloud computing quotes.

In cloud computing, the word “cloud” is used as a metaphor for “the Internet,” so the phrase “cloud computing” is used to mean a type of Internet-based computing, where services (such as servers, storage, applications and so on) are delivered to an organization’s computers and devices through the Internet as an on-demand service. Cloud computing has started to obtain mass appeal in corporate data centers as it enables the data center to operate like the Internet, enabling computing resources to be accessed and shared as virtual resources in a secure and scalable manner.

In its most simple description, cloud computing is taking services and moving them outside an organization’s firewall on shared systems. Applications and services are accessed via the Web, instead of your hard drive. In cloud computing, the services that are delivered and used over the Internet are paid for by cloud customers on an “as-needed, pay-per-use” business model. The infrastructure is also maintained by the cloud provider, not the cloud customer.

A Cloud Computing Dictionary Resource
By Vangie Beal, March 19, 2010

CoreCommerce Adds Free Mobile Shops to Platform

The popular storefront e-commerce platform offers free mobile-optimized Web shops in its newest version, CoreCommerce 7.7.

Designing a mobile version of your ecommerce Web site may exceed your own technical and design limitations, but thankfully a number of e-commerce platforms, like Sum Effect Software’s CoreCommerce Platform, make it easy for Web shops owners to offer mobile-optimized versions of their sites.

Matt DeLong, president and CEO of Sum Effect Software said that the new mobile features give all platform customers the capability to reach millions of smartphone and cell phone users in the global mobile marketplace.

CoreCommerce Adds Free Mobile Shops to Platform
By Vangie Beal, March 17, 2010

Buyers’ Guide: Choosing a Payment Gateway Provider

From chargeback fees to PCI-compliance issues, this ecommerce buyers’ guide will tell you everything you need to know to select a payment gateway service provider.

In electronic commerce, a payment gateway is the term used to describe an application service provider that authorizes and processes electronic payments between you, your customer, the customer’s credit card-issuing bank and your own bank.  It is an important piece of the online transaction puzzle. Just like having a merchant account or a Web site — you need a payment gateway to conduct online transactions.

Think of a payment gateway as the online equivalent to the point-of-sale terminal found at brick-and-mortar stores.  A payment gateway lets you accept credit card, debit and other forms of electronic payments on your Web site. 

A payment gateway is actually a system of computer processes that transfer, verify, submit and receive transaction information to the credit card network on behalf of the merchant, using secure Internet connections. The payment gateway is the infrastructure that allows a merchant to accept credit card and other forms of electronic payments. 

Buyers’ Guide: Choosing a Payment Gateway Provider
By Vangie Beal, March 9, 2010

E-commerce Content: Be Ready for Any Holiday

Investing a little time now in your holiday e-commerce content can attract visitors to your Web shop all year long.

There are two main reasons to create this type of e-commerce content. First, it will help shoppers find special-occasion and holiday products on your site from a relevant Web page. Second, the search engines will index these pages, which will improve SEO, boost traffic and convert visitors into customers.

When you have the e-commerce content written, your holiday page URL will not change. Each year as the holiday approaches you can put a link to the content from your main page and give the content a bit of a freshening up. This will give you a Web shop that is holiday-ready for any occasion, 365-days a year.

Start with a basic template that matches your Web site design and layout. Use good titles and meta tags that include the holiday name and your own keywords. Your holiday content pages should contain product descriptions and images for gift-giving ideas and for any product you stock that could be used to decorate or prepare for the occasion. Be sure to use our write better product descriptions guide when you write holiday-themed product description for these special pages.

E-commerce Content: Be Ready for Any Holiday
By Vangie Beal, March 10, 2010