Perspectives on Cloud Computing for Enterprises

No Jitter (www.nojitter.com)
Joaquin Gamboa and Marc Lindsey

Cloud computing cannot solve every information and communications technology need, but it offers benefits to enterprises that have a practical understanding of its risks and how to manage those risks. The benefits of cloud computing done right include:

* Easier, quicker and cheaper implementations;
* Faster transitions to new technology (due to shorter time-to-launch);
* Lower total usage costs when the right pricing tiers are selected (because the customer does not have to buy and deploy infrastructure to cover peak demand and expected growth);
* Improved resource elasticity and scalability, which allows customers to scale up or dial down services quickly in response to changes in business demand;
* Improved availability of enterprise applications like unified communications and collaboration services to mobile/remote workers;
* More efficient and effective management of technology resources by vendors with specialized skills; and
* Fewer technology management, maintenance and upgrade headaches (freeing internal IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives).