Please find here the second report in the Shifting Landscapes series: Cloud Computing.

The arrival of the internet has brought about a seismic change in the way organisations are run, how people interact and how information is accessed.

To better understand the impact of these drivers we commissioned a qualitative research study 'Shifting Landscapes - the online challenge to traditional business models'.

We conducted in-depth interviews with business leaders, combined with extensive secondary research. The research panel has been drawn from organisations which were among the first-movers in using web technologies to transform not just their own businesses, but entire industries.

The first Report in this series - Online Channels to Market - dealt with the significant opportunities the internet offers; and adjacent risks.

Gartner predicts the market in cloud computing will be worth $150 billion by 2013 - and indicates cloud computing is definitely not a 'one size fits all'. Whilst there are considerable benefits to be realised, careful consideration of what "the Cloud" has to offer is essential; along with a thorough understanding of the contractual implications in what is still a nascent development.

We hope you find this Report interesting and insightful. We would be delighted to meet with you to discuss the findings, and the implication for your business.

Further information is available at www.dlapipershiftinglandscapes.com.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing could address significant issues in how Information Communication Technology (ICT) is managed and delivered; what key considerations should organisations be aware of?

Across the globe organisations are contending with the latest technology panacea – cloud computing. Allegedly a shift in landscape that promises riches reminiscent of many a bold claim from the IT industry in the last 20 years; cost and time efficiencies; delivering a distributed business model; dynamic scalability and flexibility; greater access to enterprise level IT resources.

This phenomenon is expected to grow quickly; Gartner predicts the market in cloud computing will be worth $150 billion by 2013.

Cloud computing is really a further iteration of the way that ICT is delivered and hence consumed. However beware; in a relatively short space of time it has spawned its own derivatives; a sure sign that it is still a developing concept and, as such, so is the legal framework which seeks to govern it.

Cloud computing is definitely not a 'one size fits all' but there are considerable benefits to be realised, as our research indicates. Careful consideration of what this development has to offer your organisation is essential; along with a thorough understanding of the contractual implications in what is still nascent development.

This Report, Cloud Computing, examines a rapidly growing industry – please click here to view the Report.

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