By Tim Dilley
The advantages of cloud computing are a perfect match for the strengths and capabilities of today's service-oriented businesses. With a mobile and tech-savvy talent base, services firms are eager to rapidly expand into new markets, quickly cut ties with unprofitable lines of business, and enable their workforce to operate at peak potential anywhere, anytime. Service-oriented businesses are also reluctant to make large capital investments in IT infrastructure, as a complex data center creates no value for their customers. The cloud gives the services vertical the best tools and technologies available to support these ambitious goals and nimble operating practices.
Ideal as the fit is, services companies still should do some ground work to understand how best to implement and adopt cloud resources. Cloud computing creates unique advantages but also brings with it some special requirements and characteristics. Understanding these in advance of a major cloud computing project will speed adoption and the realization of benefits.
