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Enter the cloud

14.05.2009
Cloud computing is a reality, and it's a force that IT professionals need to quickly come to terms with. The economic and social motivation for the cloud is high, the business need for speed and agility is greater than ever before, and the technology has reached a level in which prudent investments in cloud services are fast and easy. The number of cloud success stories is growing every week.

The cloud is here, but what exactly is it? Where is it headed? What are the risks? And how can IT organizations prepare?Cloud computing is the use of Internet-based services to support a business process. Cloud services typically have the following characteristics:

* They can be rapidly deployed, so they are quick to value.

* There is little or no start-up cost and no capital investment.

* Costs for services are usage based with no fixed commitment.

* Services can be quickly and easily scaled up or down with no penalty.