One more step for the Cloud

TechCrunch is reporting that Google is planning to launch Big Table as a web service. So far, the cloud as a service has been the preserve of Amazon, which has pioneered cloud web services as a business model. Google’s entry makes the cloud even more interesting and I expect Microsoft to follow suit, especially if it acquires Yahoo.

It is interesting to note that Google has chosen to start with Big Table (assuming this report is true). Amazon has done a brilliant job of building trust and an ecosystem around its services giving it the clear lead. One possibility is Big Table is where Google sees most differentiation, or perhaps its as simple as Big Table being the most mature of any potential offerings.

Regardless, it is a surprise that it has taken so long given Amazon’s success. This is a good thing. The ecosystem for providing access to computing, storage and databases is changing before our eyes, providing access to web scale resources to a wide audience of innovators, entrepreneurs and hopefully even small & medium businesses. Life scientists haven’t really started taking advantage of this ecosystem, but it will only take a few success stories to turn the tide. My bet lies with a public web resource.

Image from Wikipedia

Technorati Tags: Google, Big Table, Cloud Computing, Amazon Web Services