Cloud computing keeps IT on its toes

Ovum tracks cloud computing and has made predictions of take up for 2011 in its latest report.

It is no longer a question of whether enterprises will use cloud computing - they already are. However, many suppliers and users have yet to figure out how to make the most of cloud computing's various components.

Taking advantage of the new capabilities of cloud computing requires a change of mindset and learning new skills, and there are plenty of early-adopter benefits to be gained.

Based on extensive primary research, cloud computing is emerging as a major disruptive force for both IT vendors and users. An Ovum report looks at the following:

• Analyses how cloud computing has been growing and predicts how it will impact IT in 2011;
• Explains how public clouds are converging and becoming more business-centric, and how private and hybrid clouds are emerging;
• Reveals the current trends and 2011 predictions for IaaS, SaaS and PaaS;
• 13 actionable recommendations for both enterprises and vendors.

Key messages in this report:

• Cloud computing grows slowly but surely and keeps IT on its toes;
• Public clouds converge and become more business-centric;
• Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) takes off but gets complicated;
• Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) is the next big opportunity;
• Software-as-a-service (SaaS) explodes, expands and combines;
• Private clouds emerge, focusing on cost-aware service delivery;
• Hybrid clouds reflect a pragmatic approach to cloud computing.