Google’s Android Cloud Messaging

Google Cloud Messaging for Android (GCM) is a free service that helps developers send data from servers to their Android applications on Android devices, and upstream messages from the user's device back to the cloud. This could be a lightweight message telling the Android application that there is new data to be fetched from the server (for instance, a "new email" notification informing the application that it is out of sync with the back end), or it could be a message containing up to 4kb of payload data (so apps like instant messaging can consume the message directly). GCM handles all aspects of queueing of messages and delivery to the target Android application.

Google GCM Architecture

This is how GCM components interact:

• Google-provided GCM Connection Servers take messages from a 3rd-party application server and send these messages to a GCM-enabled Android application (the "client app") running on a device. Currently Google provides connection servers for HTTP and XMPP.

• The 3rd-Party Application Server is a component that you implement to work with your chosen GCM connection server(s). App servers send messages to a GCM connection server; the connection server enqueues and stores the message, and then sends it to the device when the device is online. For more information, see Implementing GCM Server.

• The Client App is a GCM-enabled Android application running on a device. To receive GCM messages, this app must register with GCM and get a registration ID. If you are using the XMPP (CCS) connection server, the client app can send "upstream" messages back to the connection server. For more information on how to implement the client app, see Implementing GCM Client.

*Google

According to an IBM survey (2011) of 2,000 midsize companies, two-thirds were planning or had already deployed cloud-based technologies, and 70 percent were actively pursuing cloud-based analytics for greater insight and efficiency. 90 percent of Microsoft’s 2011 R&D budget was spent on cloud computing strategy and products.

Studies of C-level executives from 18 countries to learn how cloud computing is being used in the enterprise, it found:

• 60% reported cloud computing as their highest IT priority.

• 74% are already using some form of cloud computing technology.

• 64% are investing in training new and current employees on their cloud expertise.

Worldwide IT spend on cloud computing has increased more than 25 percent from 2008 to 2012; 30 percent of small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) used cloud software in 2011.A study by Mimecast in 2010 found that 70 pecent of companies that were using cloud computing services Willing to and will move new applications to the cloud.48 percent of U.S. government agencies moved at least one workflow to the cloud following the new requirement Federal agencies adopt a “cloud-first” policy.41 percent of senior executives say they are using or plan on using some kind of private cloud.Cloud providers have increased personnel from nil in 2007 to over 550,000 in 2010.