Article Preview
Top1. Introduction
Cloud Computing provides added value for organisations; saving costs in operations, resources and staff − as well as new business opportunities for service-oriented models (Vouk, 2008; Briscoe & Marinos, 2009; Hayne, 2009; Schubert, Jeffery, & Neidecker-Lutz, 2010; Chang et al., 2010a; Chang, Wills, & De Roure, 2010b). In addition, it is likely that cloud computing focusing on operational savings and green technology will be the focus of attention. To avoid repeats of Internet bubbles and to maintain business operations, achieving long-term sustainability is an important success factor for organisations (Chang, Mills, & Newhouse, 2007). Before deploying any type of cloud computing development, it is essential to design and implement good-quality Business Models and a Business Framework (Hosono et al., 2009; Weinhardt et al., 2009). Hosono et al. (2009) demonstrate Service System Modelling (SSM) and explain how SSM helps Business Models to be developed with Cloud Frameworks. Anstett et al. (2009) explain how Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) assists in developing a Cloud Framework to create a SOA-driven Business Model. Weinhardt et al. (2009) explain how their definitions and importance of Cloud Business Models (CBM), and show how CBM can influence research directions for the academic communities. Buyya et al. (2008, 2009) and Patterson and Armbrust et al. (2009) define CBM and explain their rationales in terms of (i) pay-as-you go systems; (ii) cost saving calculations; and (iii) SOA and SLA theories.
However, the feedback from industrialists (Chang et al., 2010d, 2011a) is that the CBMs proposed by Buyya et al. (2008, 2009) and Patterson, Armbrust et al. (2009) are getting too complicated to understand, and as a result, these models are unable to be used and applied effectively in the real-time cloud computing businesses. In addition, there are few Cloud Business Frameworks that can accommodate different types of technical solutions in relations to their businesses (Klems, Nimis, & Tsai, 2009). Despite IaaS, PaaS and SaaS are generally classified as three business models, there is no definite guideline for how to succeed and sustain in the cloud businesses. Therefore, businesses models proposed in this research are categorised, easy to follow and structured into Cloud Computing Business Frameworks (CCBF), where Organisational Sustainability is a major area in the CCBF.