Target Dimensions of Cloud Computing

Over the recent years, Cloud Computing has evolved as a new computing paradigm which aims at providing high-quality, customized and dynamic computing services. Despite initial positive results, it is challenging in theory and practice to find an appropriate provider matching the individual requirements. For doing this, the customer has to be clear about his individual targets that should be achieved with cloud computing. That is quit challenging because there are a lot more dimensions to consider than costs and flexibility. Moreover, the selection process is complicated by a number of new entrants as well as offers of non-transparent services, which sometimes differ significantly. In this paper, target dimensions for cloud computing were developed, based on an international literature analysis and interviews with experts. In special, they have been explained using Infrastructure as a Service here. These dimensions should help enterprises to become clear about their requirements on cloud computing and do further steps, like classifying appropriate providers. The relevance of the target dimensions was evaluated with an additional survey conducted among IT managers.