Cloud computing’s utility future gets closer

Grazed from ZDNet. Author: Jack Clark.

Cloud computing is converting from a market defined by different technologies into one defined by quality of service. Existing utility markets include ones for water, electricity, gas and, to a degree, basic internet connectivity. A utility market occurs when an item has been commoditised to the point that it becomes very hard to differentiate on a technology basis, and instead companies distinguish themselves through different levels of service, availability and support.

In the same way that in the early days of electricity there were arguments over whether AC or DC delivered the ‘best type of electricity’, the technology industry continues to debate the merits of certain technologies over others for delivering cloud computing. However, these arguments are growing less fervent as datacentre infrastructure is commoditised and homogenised by large cloud providers…

The consequences of remote storage and compute becoming a utility are very wide-ranging. This market has the potential to build up some companies and crush others, cement incumbents and offer new business opportunities for savvy startups. It will also have a huge effect on how businesses and consumers access and use technology…

Read more from the source @ http://www.zdnet.com/cloud-computings-utility-future-gets-closer-7000007256/