Cloud Computing: Will Commodity Services Benefit Users Long Term?

The attention the IT community has given cloud computing recently rivals that given to American Idol judges by the public. This magazine alone dedicated its March/April 2009 issue and significant other space throughout the year to the topic. Cloud computing´s potential lies not only in the evolution of technology but also in a sourcing strategy that uses resources shared by increasingly larger volumes of users. Further potential lies in the commoditization of cloud computing services - that is, a market in which price primarily differentiates cloud computing services. Although the entire IT community will need to address significant challenges, the result will be decreased prices, increased numbers of services, and improved performance not only in the near term but also the longer term. The result should be a decade or more in which cloud computing providers and users all benefit from future technology advancements, cloud efficiencies, and market competition. In response to the as to whether cloud computing is just the same old IT packaged in a new bottle, or is it really new wine?The authors believe that not only is it new wine, but one of a vintage that will improve with maturity.