Cloud Computing: Early Adopters Share Five Key Lessons

CIO Magazine offers an excellent summary of experiences related to early adopters who have implemented cloud computing applications.

Cloud Computing: Early Adopters Share Five Key Lessons
http://www.cio.com/article/591040/Cloud_Computing_Early_Adopters_Share_Five_Key_Lessons

QUOTE: While some large enterprises have moved their information-technology infrastructure to a third-party managed service to save costs, small firms—especially startups—have come to rely on cloud services to cut initial outlays and help them focus on the core services and products. The cost savings and scalability of infrastructure-as-a-service offerings are well known advantages. Yet, there are others. In interviews, three small companies that use the cloud—and one that does not—share the lessons learned from growing up with cloud infrastructure.

CLOUD COMPUTING - FIVE KEY LESSONS LEARNED
1. From IT management to software development
2. Downtime is low
3. Security is still your headache
4. Your ability to use cloud depends on your customers
5. The cost advantage only lasts so long