Overview: Your company is interested in learning more about cloud computing and the varying services offered.

Your organization wants to start small by transitioning from Exchange to a cloud-based corporate email and calendar application with a service provider that can eventually support all other internal productivity programs.

The head of the IT department has handed you a list of cloud-based organizations-he doesn't have time to put together a report for the CEO that explains what cloud computing does and how it might benefit the organization.

That, of course, is why YOU got the list. For each of the organizations on the list, you are to report back on the following:

1. What is the organization's primary cloud function-what advantages might the organization have over another organization that provides the same product or service?

2. What type of cloud computing service model is the organization using?

3. Does the organization provide any type of cloud deployment model? If so, briefly explain the model that each provider offers.

4. What "promises" of a secure cloud environment does the organization highlight? Are those considerations important to your company? Why?

The list of organizations you were given to evaluate contains the following:

1. Apple iCloud

2. Amazon Web Services

3. Google Docs

4. Windows Azure

5. Salesforce In your conclusion, please explain which company you recommend that your company choose and explain the reasons why from your evaluation.