Cloud computing - advantages and issues to consider

Cloud computing — providing Web-based services to the public using networks, servers, data warehouses, software applications and Internet services managed by a third party — is an attractive option for companies that view investing capital in computing infrastructure as inefficient. These companies can move their computer processing to a virtual environment, ensuring that costs are more closely tied to the services offered and minimizing their fixed costs. Cloud computing has many advantages. It can be adapted to the size of the business and quickly implemented, and it is transparent in terms of costs and can deliver services that are not available internally. Nevertheless, an organization needs to consider a number of issues before switching to cloud computing. (Read the May 2010 article "Cloud Computing" at CAmagazine online.)