This infographic shows that cloud computing is a major factor in the minds of IT executives. There are several ways to play the cloud computing wave with companies that are on my Watch List.

Google [stckqut]GOOG[/stckqut]

Google Inc. (Google) is a global technology company focused on improving the ways people connect with information. The Company generates revenue primarily by delivering online advertising. As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s business was focused on areas, such as search, advertising, operating systems and platforms, and enterprise. Businesses use its AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the third parties that comprise the Google Network use its AdSense program to deliver relevant advertisements that generate revenue. In June 2011, it launched Google+. In September 2011, the Company acquired Zagat. In May 2012, Google acquired Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. As of January 2012, over 90 million people had joined Google+. In April 2011, the Company acquired PushLife. On July 31, 2012, it acquired marketing start-up Wildfire. In September 2012, it acquired VirusTotal and Nik Software. (This text is from Google).

Akamai [stckqut]akam[/stckqut]

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (Akamai) provides content delivery and cloud infrastructure services for the delivery of content and applications over the Internet; ranging from live and on-demand streaming video capabilities to conventional content on Websites, to tools that help people transact business and reach out to new and existing customers. The Company provides private content delivery networks, Internet-based delivery of applications, such as store/dealer locators and user registration, software distribution capabilities, real-time ad targeting solutions, content targeting technology and enhanced security features. It offers application and cloud performance services, solutions for digital media and software distribution and storage, Website optimization services, network operator solutions, online advertising-related services and other specialized Internet-based offerings. In March 2012, the Company acquired Cotendo, Inc. In September 2012, the Company acquired FastSoft Inc. (This text is from Google).

Amazon [stckqut]amzn[/stckqut]

Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon.com) serves consumers through its retail Websites and focuses on selection, price, and convenience. The Company’s four customer sets include consumers, sellers, enterprises and content creators. It also manufactures and sells Kindle devices. It offers programs, which enable sellers to sell their products on its Websites and their own branded Websites and to fulfill orders through it. We serve developers and enterprises of all sizes through Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides access to technology infrastructure. In addition, it generates revenue through other marketing and promotional services, such as online advertising, and co-branded credit card agreements. The Company operates in two segments: North America and International. In June 2012, the Company acquired the publication rights from Avalon Books to over 3,000 backlist titles predominantly in the Romance, Mystery and Western categories. (This text is from Google).

eBay [stckqut]ebay[/stckqut]

eBay Inc. (eBay) is a global commerce platform. The Company enables commerce through three reportable segments: Marketplaces, Payments and GSI Commerce (GSI). These segments provide online platform, services and tools to help individuals and small, medium and large merchants globally to establish online and mobile commerce and payments. In addition, through X.commerce, it has created an open source platform, which provides software developers and merchants access to its applications programming interfaces (APIs), to develop software and solutions for commerce. As of December 31, 2011, it had more than 100 million active users transacting on its sites, millions of merchants using one or more of its platforms, and a developer community with more than 800,000 members using its APIs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired Brands4friends and GittiGidiyor. In May 2012, PRIMEDIA announced that it completed the acquisition of eBay’s Rent.com subsidiary. (This text is from Google).

The above infographic was not created by me. It was originally found on CloudTweaks. It is my belief that CloudTweaks owns the copyright to that image and all of its rights. It is recreated here simply for the convenience of my readers but they are encouraged to click through to the original site to see the full details of the infographic.