A Categorisation of Cloud Computing Business Models

This paper reviews current cloud computing business models and presents proposals on how organisations can achieve sustainability by adopting appropriate models. We classify cloud computing business models into eight types: (1) Service Provider and Service Orientation; (2) Support and Services Contracts; (3) In- House Private Clouds; (4) All-In-One Enterprise Cloud; (5) One-Stop Resources and Services; (6) Government funding; (7) Venture Capitals; and (8) Entertainment and Social Networking. Using the Jericho Forum’s ‘Cloud Cube Model’ (CCM), the paper presents a summary of the eight business models. We discuss how the CCM fits into each business model, and then based on this discuss each business model’s strengths and weaknesses. We hope adopting an appropriate cloud computing business model will help organisations investing in this technology to stand firm in the economic downturn.