And finally…the last article in our week-long series on cloud computing is by Jay Lyman writing for Linux Insider, and explains why cloud computing is not merely a bubble liable to burst.

Lyman refers to the “hype, hope and trepidation” surrounding cloud computing but goes on to give the example of Oracle, which has in the space of a year gone from voicing objections to cloud computing to seeing improved profits largely due to cloud computing.

Lyman asks:

“Are organizations really putting production applications and workloads in the cloud? Do they want to build their own private cloud infrastructures to perform similar activities on their own? How is cloud computing changing both the production and use of hardware, software, infrastructure, systems management and other technology?”

In answer to this, Lyman draws parallels between the rise of of open source software and that of cloud computing, citing “caution, pragmatism, bottom-line business fundamentals and more “grounded” thinking” as driving factors in business today. Lyman expands this by saying:

“Rather than contributing to a cloud bubble burst, recent economic difficulties and the search for cost savings are often cloud computing’s reason for being.”

In conclusion Lyman focusses on the power given to users by both open source software and cloud computing, and assures us that neither is about to disappear.