A model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.
Cloud shifts IT from Capital Expenditure (CapEx) to Operational Expenditure (OpEx) and enables elasticity—the ability to scale resources up and down instantly to match demand.
Cloud is an operating model, not a location. You can have a "Cloud" experience on your own bare-metal servers in a basement if you have the right API abstractions (like Kubernetes). We warn against the "Cloud Hotel"—it's easy to check in, but expensive to check out. Own your platform.