Future implications of cloud computing

Cloud computing, a style of computing where scalable and elastic IT-related capabilities are provided as shared assorted services (IaaS, PaaS,SaaS, DaaS), metered by use, to customers using internet technologies built on top of diverse technologies like virtualization,distributed computing, utility computing, and more recently networking, web infrastructure and software services. It represents a paradigm shift in how we think about our data, the role of our computing devices and on managing computing resources. Being an emerging service technology with promising novel and valuable capabilities it attracts industrial research community with main focus on standardization and customized implementation in every segment of society. Cloud powered higher education institutions also gain significant flexibility and agility. This paper examines and discusses the concept of cloud computing from the perspectives of diverse technologists, services and models available, cloud standards, cloud in government, enterprises and higher education, along with opportunities, challenges and future implications.