Cloud computing provides dynamically scalable and often virtualized IT (hardware, software, and applications) resources as a service to a large set of users who may possess a broad but differing range of knowledge, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure. The concept incorporates software as a service (SaaS), Web 2.0 and other recent Internet computing trends such as SOA and builds upon recent IT infrastructure solution concepts such as grid computing, utility computing, and autonomic computing.

With a spectrum of flexible offerings and pricing models, cloud services providers are poised to provide secure, affordable, elastic, and “self-service” access to IT resources for companies that need to quickly scale-up or scale-down their IT needs to adapt to their business demands. Cloud computing can transform companies of all sizes to become more agile and develop sustainable competitive advantage while reining in costs.

With cloud computing solutions, smaller companies – that typically face steep entry cost barriers to access IT resources -- such as Internet companies, service providers or Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) -- will no longer need large capital outlays in hardware or facilities to deploy their services or the labor to operate these IT facilities.

Larger companies benefit from the increased business value resulting from the added capability and flexibility to rapidly deploy standardized yet customizable “self-service” solutions that automate and scale business processes end-to-end while minimizing escalating labor and infrastructure costs.

Cabot INSIGHTS analysts will help you stay abreast of this rapidly evolving technology and its business implications.