Making Sense of Cloud Computing

The terms virtualization, utility computing and Cloud computing are often used interchangeably which can be very confusing. A new report I have just authored aims to provide clarification - to identify the similarities and differences in those characteristics, and provide a framework in which organizations can decide which capabilities they require in specific situations – as it is unlikely that one model alone will suit all their requirements.
A visitor from outer space would be forgiven for thinking that virtualization, utility computing and Cloud computing are different capabilities. But most of us understand that many product and service offerings use the terms rather casually and the trend is to assume they are all describing the same thing, where virtualization is synonymous with utility computing which is synonymous with Cloud. Some might say these are just steps in the evolutionary process – where utility has simply evolved into Cloud.
So, are they the same or different? Can the terms be used interchangeably, or are there clear distinctions between them?

The answer is not straightforward. There are clearly some common, overlapping characteristics that allow the terms to be used interchangeably. But at the same time there are other characteristics that enable them to be distinguished from each other.

The report aims to provide clarification. To identify the similarities and differences in those characteristics, and provide a framework in which organizations can decide which capabilities they require in specific situations – as it is unlikely that one model alone will suit all their requirements.

Several CBDI Journal Reports Now Freely Available for Download

As well as making the CBDI Journal free from September onwards, we have also published several reports from past journals available for free download. Registration is required (but at no costs)

See the CBDI Journal index

Hope you find these useful.