Rose Hall Montego Bay Jamaica…………………………….It’s the biggest buzz word now circling the business community, yet very few really know what it is and what the business effect and implication really is.

Cloud Computing is what we’re talking about and if you have never heard the term or for that matter know nothing about it, then don’t be dismayed your not alone. Very few people outside the tech world know much about this new business phenomenon.

It‘s for this reason that the promoters of CARIBIZTECH have strategically placed the subject of cloud computing on the programme for 2011. The 2011 Caribbean SME Business Technology Exposition and Conference is set for October 27th to 29th 2011 in Montego Bay Jamaica under the theme “Game Changers Impacting SME Businesses and Brands”

CARIBIZTECH is positioned as the premiere business technology conference strategically designed exclusively for Caribbean SME businesses entrepreneurs and leaders, business executives, technopreneurs, marketing and branding professionals including executives in media and advertising etc.

According to information published, yes you guessed it, on the internet, cloud computing refers to the logical computational resources (data, software) accessible via a computer network, rather than from a local computer. In other words the software you need is not housed or stored on your computer sitting on your desk, but on a massive server located somewhere else, that you access via the internet. So you’re able to perform a task, such as word processing with service provided through such cloud based computational resources. Since the cloud is the underlying delivery mechanism, cloud-based remote applications and services can support any type of software application or service in use today.

In other words you should be able to access any software you need via this mechanism on an as need basis. What is that you say? Well it’s this. You only access and pay for what you need when you need it. No need to invest heavily upfront and pay for regular updates and maintenance. These are the essential benefits of cloud computing.

According to my internet source, “The principle behind the cloud is that any computer connected to the Internet is connected to the same pool of computing power, applications, and files. Users can store and access personal files such as music, pictures, videos, and bookmarks or play games or do word processing on a remote server rather than physically carrying around a storage medium such as a DVD or thumb drive. Even those using web-based email such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo!, a company-owned email, or even an e-mail client program such as Outlook, Evolution, Mozilla Thunderbird, or Entourage are making use of cloud email servers. Hence, desktop applications that connect to internet-host email providers can also be considered cloud applications.”

There has been and continues at a rapid pace, an explosive growth in the interest and direct involvement in entrepreneurship and new business start ups in the Caribbean. New and existing business are constantly challenged to find new and innovative strategies to operate their business in what is now a world economy where technology is reducing the barriers to entry and cost of operations. The hunger for information is growing.

In an attempt to feed this hunger CARIBIZTECH will be looking at the following areas:

WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?

FIND OUT HOW TO IMPROVE PROFITABILITY AND POSITIVE CASH FLOW WITH AN ENERGY AUDIT?

HOW IS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGING THE GAME?

HOW DO YOU POSITION TO GET VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDING?

SHOULD YOUR BUSINESS BE ON THE JUNIOR STOCK EXCHANGE?

HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT INTERNET BANKING?

HOW WILL THE SMART PHONE IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS?

The Conference and Exposition are a unique opportunity for small to medium enterprise business executives, entrepreneurs, marketing, media and advertising executives to secure a better understanding of how the business technology revolution is impacting their businesses and brands.

Regional participating countries targeted include, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia

Special invitations to members of organizations such as the Small Business Association of Jamaica, PSOJ, Young Entrepreneurs Association, Jamaica Exporters Association, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Media Association of Jamaica, and Advertising Agency Association of Jamaica have already been sent out.

This group will be expanded to others around the island in the coming weeks to ensure the widest level of participation.

More information on CARIBIZTECH can be found at www.caribiztech.wordpress.com