Cloud Computing Combining with Other Technologies to Boost Growth

Market research firm IDC recently forecast that the public IT cloud services market will be worth almost $73 billion by 2015.

However, IDC noted that the cloud's value will be much greater, as emerging technologies, such as social media and mobility, are being driven by growing availability and reliability of the cloud.

"Cloud services are interconnected with and accelerated by other disruptive technologies, including mobile devices, wireless networks, big data analytics and social networking," Frank Gens, senior vice president and chief analyst at IDC, said in a release. "Together, these technologies are merging into the industry's third major platform for long-term growth."

SaaS, specifically, will account for a substantial portion of cloud spending. According to IDC, SaaS will make up nearly three-quarters of all enterprise spending on cloud computing. Globally, the cloud will be especially important, as the technology allows companies with less capital to use highly capable solutions. However, companies in the United States will remain the primary driver of the cloud, accounting for almost half of cloud spending worldwide.

For American companies, cost savings and scalability are driving cloud investment, according to a report recently released by Cloud.com.