Brokering Cloud Computing

Abstract

Cloud computing is a rapidly evolving computational model, which has succeeded in transforming the ICT industry and the economy's production techniques by making corresponding services even more accessible to businesses, offering cost-effective solutions. The cloud broker is a new business model, derived from the necessity of finding the best provider, or the best bundle for the end user. It is a third-party business that assists clients in making the best decision in choosing the most suitable cloud provider and the most effective service bundle for their needs, in terms of performance and price. This chapter analyzes the cloud broker business model and highlights the broker's vital role and the benefits that arise from the use of its services. In that context, it describes cloud brokering and a market analysis, together with the most popular pricing models, together with a comparison among them, concluding with future directions for the expansion of the brokerage model.