• According to IBM global revenue from cloud computing will jump to $126 billion in 2012 from $47 billion in 2008
• Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, recently said his company is “all in” when talking about Cloud computing
• IBM last week purchased Cast Iron, a powerful Cloud data integration provider. According to IBM: “The acquisition expands IBM’s industry-leading business process and integration software portfolio, which grew more than 20 percent in the first quarter of 2010.” This may not seem like a big deal but s/ he who controls data connectivity wins.

The Cloud delivers agility and on demand productivity. Sales always needed and continues to need up to the moment relevant information to close more deals. Opportunities happen in real-time. Responses to emerging opportunities must be swift and comprehensive in scope. Information must be accessible in the now.

Social media, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are Cloud platforms for which business benefits have not been fully realized yet. With the advent of connectors such as Salesforce.com Chatter, this may also change. Tell us what you think.

Many think that IF they are on Twitter or some other Social Network sites, all is well. Well maybe. We must get beyond the hype of the respective brands and not just place the icons on our home page like a fashion accessory. Social Media is a communication channel. Market segmentation and targeting can be effectively implemented if we just use common business sense. We must speak directly to our audience. This means that our message should match the interests of our followers. Salesforce.com does an excellent job segmenting and targeting.

On Twitter alone Salesforce has the following Twitter Channels:

@SalesforceNews
@AppExchangeNews
@AskSalesforce
@Forcedotcom
@SalesforceDocs
@Salesforcejobs
@SalesforceOffer
@SuccessProgram
@SalesforceAPAC

Imagine the same strategy for Toyota having a Prius, Camry, Corolla, Service, Parts, Future Cars Channels… Messages match the interest and we are speaking more directly and more one to one. Traditional business rules don’t get lost with Social Commerce they get amplified.

Here is a customer service and support piece from salesforce.com:

In the salesforce.com example the integration allows for automated help via a robot then live support from a customer service rep (CSR). Client specific profile information is shared in real-time.

Beyond customer service, one can easily imagine, Google Wave connecting with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Skype users with a single logon. This has tremendous implications for cross platform collaboration and uninterrupted productivity. Share without leaving your space.