Communicating The Business And Sustainability Case For Cloud Computing (Webinar)

Published: 16 August 2011

Executive Summary

Technology providers can step-up their marketing of cloud computing services by communicating the business and environmental value proposition more effectively. Meanwhile buyers of cloud services need to understand how to make the internal case for transitioning IT functions to a public or private cloud. Drawing on research from a recently published Carbon Disclosure Project report produced by Verdantix, this webinar will share insights from detailed interviews with 11 multi-national firms that have already invested in cloud computing. This webinar will provide senior technology executives in marketing, strategy and business development roles with best practice advice on the messages that resonate most strongly with potential customers of cloud computing, and the concerns restricting its growth. It will also help heads of IT or Sustainability understand the ROI for the different service and deployment models available.

Table Of Contents

CDP Perspective On Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing – The IT Solution for the 21st Century
About CDP
Why CDP Is Interested In Cloud Computing
Why Firms Invest In Cloud Computing
Key Findings Of Research 

What is cloud computing?
Cloud Computing Definition
Cloud computing needs to be understood across three dimensions
Vendors must help de-mystify cloud computing terminology for customers


What are the drivers for the uptake of this technology?
Firms are already implementing a range of sustainable technology solutions
Firms have set aside budget to expand investment in cloud computing over the next 12 months
Marketing messages from cloud providers must be tailored to address the varying drivers from different firms

What are the business and environmental benefits of cloud computing?
Cloud Computing – The IT Solution for the 21st Century
The carbon emissions model
69% of IT budgets for infrastructure, platform and software will be spent on cloud services by 2020
The forecast penetration of cloud computing in the US will save $12.3 billion in energy costs annually by 2020
Annual CO2 savings will reach 85.7 million metric tons by 2020
Firms achieved a variety of business benefits from adopting a cloud-based model

What is the return on investment (ROI) of cloud computing?
Two scenarios were developed to demonstrate the business case for cloud computing for a hypothetical firm
Moving your HR application to the public cloud can save $12 million over five years and reduce CO2 emissions by 30,000 metric tons
How do I build the internal case for moving to a cloud based model?