Cloud Computing Hype Reaches Its Peak: Gartner

According to Gartner's 2010 hype cycle report, which examines 1,800 technologies and evaluates their maturity, cloud computing is on the cusp of reaching mainstream adoption within the next two to five years

Private cloud computing is currently at the "Peak of Inflated Expectations," while other technologies including cloud computing and cloud and Web platforms have passed the peak and are on their way to a pit-stop at the "Trough of Disillusionment" before reaching the mainstream. Gartner describes the "Peak of Inflated Expectations" as a phase of over-enthusiasm and unrealistic projections while the "Trough of Disillusionment" is a period where a certain technology has failed to live up to expectations or hype on its way to becoming mainstream. For all three cloud technologies, Gartner's hype cycle said mainstream adoption is only two to five years off. Despite cloud computing being on the path to mainstream adoption, it is likely cloud technologies will make a pit stop in Gartner's trough of disillusionment on their way to ubiquity.

"High-impact technologies at the 'Peak of Inflated Expectations' during 2010 include private cloud computing, augmented reality, media tablets (such as the [Apple] iPad), wireless power, 3D flat-panel TVs and displays, and activity streams, while cloud computing and cloud/Web platforms have tipped over the peak and will soon experience disillusionment among enterprise users," Jackie Fenn, vice president and Gartner Fellow, said in a statement.

According to Gartner, the adoption and impact of cloud computing continues to expend. "In Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, cloud computing overall appears just topping the peak, and private cloud computing is still rising," Gartner said in the report. "Cloud/Web platforms are features, along with mobile applications stores, to acknowledge the growing interest in platforms for application delivery."