Cloud technology: The driving force of change in the business environment

Abstract

A series of changes relating to digital environments and the Internet are taking place. Most of these changes are due to the emergence of the concept of Cloud. This will result in a series of advantages for the users, since they will be able to use the data and different software tools available on the Internet. This article begins by introducing the reader to the environment surrounding the Cloud Technology. The background and system architecture will be discussed. Eucalyptus, OpenNebula and Nimbus, three of the main open source software platforms used in Cloud Computing, will also be analyzed. Finally, an analysis about how Cloud Technology may produce changes at the social, personal and business level is put forward. This article intends to provide the reader with an idea about the way in which, thanks to the use and development of Cloud Technology, a notable change in information technology is produced. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.