Service Management for Cloud Marketplace : A Case of Internet2 NET+

Abstract

Application software is delivered to customers as a form of service at cloud environment. A cloud service provider is a marketplace between supply side (application providers) and demand side (customers). Cloud service providers have to validate applications to be included in their service portfolio. Not only performance, security, networking, compliances should be checked but also business contract, authentication should be provided. Organization customers are more sensitive to these validation criteria and process. We study the Internet2 NET+, which is a successful cloud marketplace of applications for research and education organizations. This case study shows us three things : (i) a cloud marketplace's application management process : selection, validation, transition to service, customization of applications (ii) what a cloud marketplace has for its infrastructure like authentication, security, access control etc. (iii) what a cloud marketplace has as its governance structure. This case study will provide informative analysis of Internet2 NET, a profit-making vertical and buyer's marketplace (education industry). And we will get some strategic implications for planning and implementing cloud marketplaces.