A Primer on Cloud Computing

The 'cloud' is touted as a repeat of the electric grid for technology, a way of shifting the burden of managing technology from a company's back. But cloud computing is still new, and not as easy as just flipping a switch.

I just published this piece, When the Forecast Calls for Clouds, on what smaller businesses should think about as they consider adopting cloud technology. It looks in particular at the needs of three types of companies:

• Startups
• companies that occasionally have projects involving lots of data
• Firms with big seasonal spikes