Data Backup Digest

Salesforce.com, a popular provider of platform-as-a-service and software-a-service offerings, recently announced their approval to sell their services on the new Government Cloud. Having recently gained their authority to operate (ATO) from the Department of Health and Human Services, the team with Salesforce has wasted no time in developing their government-oriented portfolio of solutions.

The Government Cloud, which was introduced in early 2012 by Salesforce, is meant to provide easy access to all of Salesforce’s service offerings with a highly structured and secured environment. Salesforce’s Government Cloud is currently offered to entities operating at the local, state and federal levels of government.

Governmental agencies who procure apps from the Government Cloud already have access to all of Salesforce’s off-the-shelf software as well as their Salesforce1 platform. As such, government entities will be able to customize or modify these applications in order to better suit their needs.

In case you haven’t heard, Salesforce1 is being touted as the “next-generation social, mobile and cloud customer platform.” The program offers streamlined and broadened access to mobile-based and cloud-oriented development by offering an increased amount of developer APIs. Salesforce1 already boasts more than 100 different applications from some of Salesforce’s most prolific partners.

Vivek Kundra, executive vice president of emerging markets with Salesforce, described an actual scenario involving a real Salesforce customer. He said: “If you take one of our customers, the State of Colorado, as an example, they were able to build 25 different apps with savings of 70%. And it took them months to do it, not years. At the same time, with the Government Cloud, they were able to meet the unique security and compliance requirements at the state level. Now, this technology -- which merges social, mobile, and cloud -- is available to every government agency. That is going to unleash a shotgun of innovation across the whole nation.”

When asked about the future of cloud computing in general, Kundra replied: “We live in consequential times where technology is impacting every aspect of our daily lives and broader economy. When you look at government, it's no longer about back-office technology projects. It's much more about how do we make sure we have an open, transparent, and participatory government. It's all about the engagement between the government and citizens. What's true across all different industries is that social, mobile, and cloud are not just transforming the way these companies operate, but they're creatively destroying the legacy business model.”

If you are interested in finding out more information about Salesforce, the Government Cloud or any of the services within the company’s portfolio, please visit their official website at www.salesforce.com. Apart from a comprehensive listing of IT solutions, visitors to the site will also be able to begin a free trial of Salesforce, view upcoming events, connect with the Salesforce community and receive specific pricing information. Those who would prefer to speak with a live service representative can do so by calling 1-800-667-6389.