Enterprise characteristics create unique cloud demands

There is now a healthy market for virtual desktop applications as many companies begin to realize the advantages of remote access for employees. According to PCWorld, cloud-enabled software programs, when paired with the appropriate mobile device, have empowered "road warriors" to work on-the-go.

Businesses looking to provide remote access for their employees may need to assess enterprise characteristics in order to select a hosting platform that best suits the company's needs.

The news source claims that there are two modes of delivering virtualized services - on-site through a server, or through a managed service provider. If a business prefers to have their employees do most of their work while at the office, it may make more sense for the company to deploy an on-site virtual hosting service. On the other hand, companies with workers constantly traveling may want to stick with a third-party cloud provider, as its services can oftentimes be accessed over a much wider area.

Hosted services are underpinned by data center servers. According to the International Data Corporation, a record number of these technology hubs were shipped in the past year, which may further signify growth in the cloud market.