SAP and IBM do it. Microsoft is thinking about doing it, and Apple has been doing it for some time. The software industry is experiencing a significant migratory movement to the "Cloud". The "Cloud" is the term used for software and IT services that are offered via the Internet. 'Software as a Service' or 'OnDemand Software' describes products which are no longer installed on the user's computer ('OnPremise'), but are made available via a service data center and the Internet. The advantages for users are no installation projects and no hardware costs. 'OnDemand' is also frequently accompanied by a change of business model: Instead of selling software licenses, charges are levied based on time and intensity of use. This allows users to have greater control over their expenditure and to adapt to actual resource requirements.

For Heinz-Paul Bonn, Chief Executive Officer of the Cologne-based GUS Group and Vice President of industry association BITKOM (Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media, Berlin), the trend towards Cloud Computing is unbroken: "The initial resentment towards OnDemand products has clearly abated in Europe, with the economic benefits swaying the decision-making process." This development, observes Bonn, is predominantly supported by medium-sized businesses who recognize OnDemand products as important tools for streamlining their own structures.

The GUS Group has supported two Cloud Computing initiatives since March 2008: Together with IBM the GUS-OS solution family is being made available as an OnDemand product. And the GUS Group is working with SAP to develop solutions for the processing industry based on Business by Design, an OnDemand piece of software which will be available from summer 2010. "Both of these activities are geared towards our international commitment", stresses Bonn. "Thanks to these OnDemand services our customers are able to access GUS business solutions around the world 24 hours a day."

(eNEWS 05/2010, 27.05.2010)