Cloud is a flexible and scalable model for the way IT services are delivered and consumed.

See cloud computing good practice on our case studies page.

Here are some of the terms you may hear used to describe different types of cloud computing:

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Virtual machine services accessed over the network, providing compute and/or storage capabilities.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) Platform software services (such as web, applications, database servers, enterprise buses and other middleware, with security mechanisms) on which web service-based applications can be built.

Software as a Service (SaaS) Applications provided as a service from the cloud, and end-user licences procured or released in line with changing demand.

The benefits of cloud

Many institutions are already realising the benefits cloud computing and data centre services can bring, including:

• Improving services through economies of scale
• Reducing capital expenditure
• Saving energy and space
• Reducing pressure on stretched resources