Optimizing Cloud Computing Costs of Services for Consumers

Abstract

Cloud computing consumers wish to minimize their costs. Minimization depends on the technological infrastructure operated by providers. Cloud computing services are composed of services organized according to a hierarchy of software services, platforms, and infrastructures. Providers offer software services as bundles of services which include software, platform, and infrastructures. Bundling prevents customers from splitting their service purchases between different providers. Bundling policy is likely to change in the long run since it contradicts economic competition. This chapter assumes that in the future market forces will push providers to act in a free competitive market. The proposed model is aimed at the potential customer who wishes to find the optimal combination of service providers which minimizes his costs. The model suggests two possible strategies for implementation in organizations.