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theFocus ::
Picking a Partner
What to consider when choosing a cloud computing vendor
WRI TING B Y :: S TAN FRECK
loud computing is a new
paradigm with some
referring to it as the fifth
wave of computing following
the mainframe, client-
server, the Web, and service oriented
architecture (SOA) models. Companies have
experienced tremendous cost savings and
efficiencies by adopting cloud computing.
c
However, before jumping on the cloud
bandwagon you should understand its
characteristics, the three different delivery
mechanisms, and what factors to consider
when choosing a cloud partner.
The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) definition of cloud
computing calls out five characteristics:
on-demand self-service, ubiquitous network
