Cloud computing is now at the point where it can no longer be considered as just hype. Although it varies by industry sector, many organisations are now either implementing or planning to implement externally-hosted cloud solutions. However, in all cases that PA Consulting Group (PA) has come across no organisation is yet moving all of their IT services over to a single vendor cloud offering and so will have to work within a ‘Hybrid cloud’ IT environment.

This white paper reviews some of the interoperability challenges associated with cloud computing based on interviews with early adopters within the pharmaceutical sector1, examines the positioning of some larger service providers in relation to these issues, and finally discusses ways in which organisations might address potential interworking issues.