CLOUD User '09

Cloud Computing can be a great equalizer, putting powerful competing tools that were once available to only large institutions in the hands of individuals and small businesses. It can promote competition, accelerate innovation, enhance productivity, deliver cost savings, strengthen data security, and maybe even help the environment. With all of these benefits in cloud computing's arsenal, it is no wonder that, as recently reported, over sixty-five percent of North American enterprises are looking to migrate to a more cloud intensive IT model. This anticipated shift in the way companies obtain software and computing capacity by tapping into web-based applications does carry with it some substantial concerns that must be addressed by every executive formulating their value proposition for a migration to a cloud intensive information technology business model. This first time discussion will bring together users, developers, and cloud providers to address their common concerns in a shared language, beginning a discussion that will allow participants to gain the knowledge and perspective necessary to build not only successful cloud architectures but the value propositions and ease of use mentality that will ensure success as their organizations migrate to the cloud.