I see two major issues with Cloud.

1) the speed - first depending where your claoud is and where your workers are, not all things are equal. Windows authentication at times will be too slow when the token was passed around resulting SSPI failure.

2) Who is responsible for the server/service in cloud? Where you have custom applications and databases in cloud, when there is a failure, is this the provider to resolve the issue? or your party to resolve the issue? If latter, this is just the same as before as a provided service in a different location.

I could see cloud is easier to work for music download, online video etc. But most of our businesses are not like that. This is currently a fad like "offshore outsourcing" in the 2000's. People have to invent new terms to make money, just like fashion designers have to introduce new line of clothing. I still like to see mini-skirt, it looks great.

So what is cloud? It is driven by people who want to replace windows on the mobile devices. My email did not arrive on my mobile-device. I called around nobody claims responsibility and nobody has a fix.