Practical Considerations In Cloud Computing

By JD Wilson, CEO and Founder, WarLock Software

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding cloud computing these days, in part because the technology is based on the same fundamental components (systems, networks, and storage) as in-house, hosted, and grid computing. However, the concept of cloud computing is easy to understand when you first look at it from a business perspective.

In this article, we will start by examining some important business considerations surrounding cloud computing. Once we have arrived at a basic business definition of cloud computing, we will start to shed some light on the practical differences — and similarities — between cloud computing and terrestrial computing. Finally, we will discuss the current applications to which cloud computing is well suited, as well as those to which it is not, to help you decide if cloud computing is right for your organization.

Business Matters To Consider
There are fundamental business issues any organization should consider when considering cloud computing as an option, namely ownership, contracts, and middlemen. Ownership is the first choice that every organization, especially small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs), must make when it comes to IT.