I thought we’d talk about something a little different this time. I’ve talked about a lot of SaaS out there for different niches and applications, and I’ve talked about blogs, gatherings and symposiums for SaaS over the course of a few years. But, I’ve left out one great medium and resource for mastery of cloud computing and SaaS. Books. How I missed this topic is beyond me, but it occurred to me the other day as I shopped at a book store for some new Science Fiction to read – I saw books on the cloud computing phenomenon, and thought, “Why don’t I talk about some of the best cloud computing books?”
So, yeah, that’s exactly what I’m going to do today. I did a lot of research on them, and there’s a surprising amount of them out there, so of course, I didn’t have time to read every book out there. But, in my research, these are a few of the best ones, and most pertinent to a widest possible audience and demographic. So, here are my five best cloud computing books.
#1 – Cloud Computing Explained: Implementation Handbook for Enterprises (John Rhoton)
This is the beginner’s handbook to cloud computing. It explains the concept of the cloud, the various true definitions that can apply to it, and the nature of the philosophy behind it. It shows the benefits and risks involved with this new platform of computing, but does so in an approach to people with no prior knowledge of the topic.
This teaches the general why, how and what of implementing cloud computing with no prior experience in doing so, but for more refined application and expertise, you need to read deeper stuff.
#2 – Cloud Computing and SOA Convergence in Your Enterprise: A Step-by-Step Guide (David S. Linthicum)
This is a more in depth work detailing metrics and logistics with cloud computing and its interrelations with other components of a business in an overall environment. This is more textbook reading where Rhoton’s work is introductory and self-sufficient, but for those seeking to be adept in using, designing or deploying cloud services, this is something that ought to be read.
#3 – Cloud Application Architectures: Building Applications and Infrastructure in the Cloud (George Reese)
Reese looks at how the design logic behind cloud software actually thinks, an how to approach it from a design and programmatic standpoint. While this is obviously more geared to developers and designers, those interested in the field, or interested in fully understanding it as a user can benefit from the insight into its inner workings that this book will grant, for sure.
#4 – Cloud Security and Privacy: An Enterprise Perspective on Risks and Compliance (Tim Mather)
This book looks at something that we’ve talked a lot about, that being the alleged security risks, privacy complications and other paranoid ideas we have that make us fear and presume about SaaS and cloud computing.
Mather makes some good cases for real and mythical concerns, risks and preventative measures. He says many things I have, but in a far more succinct way.
#5 – Enterprise Cloud Computing: A strategy Guide for Business and Technology Leaders (Andy Mulholland)
This is one that everyone ought to read, along with the first one, or as an alternative to it. Honestly, I debated this on against the first, and only gave it fifth to give the whole list a nice round encapsulation of applicability.
It’s a different introductory perspective to the cloud on an enterprise scale, more from the eyes of the tech-centric business world. Give it a read if you’re still hungry after the first book.
These are hands down the best cloud computing books I know of, and I recommend them to everyone interested in the field, be it as a potential user, designer or just a general tech savant.
