The Cloud Supply Chain : A Framework for Information, Monitoring, Accounting and Billing

Abstract

Cloud computing is changing the way in which companies deploy and operate ICT based services. This paradigm introduces several advantages compared with traditional data centers, such as a great degree of flexibility, pay-per-use models, and rapid resource provisioning. However, the lack of a well defined supply chain for clouds and an associated information model is limiting the adoption of these technologies. This paper introduces the Cloud Supply Chain, which enables both consuming and providing organizations to clearly determine their position within such a supply chain. The Cloud Supply Chain is the result of our experience from building systems for supply chain businesses combined with our experience of building Service Cloud infrastructures within the RESERVOIR EU research project. This paper discusses the definitions and components of such a supply chain, together with all of the requirements with regards to services and an information model, which are the most pertinent topics for accounting and billing. The underlying basis for this work is a service provisioning process chain that includes service deployment, comprehensive monitoring, accounting and billing, delivering technical as well as business information. Our work presents the first definition of a Cloud Supply Chain, providing a foundation for researchers and businesses in this area.