Cloud computing has the IT world abuzz. But what exactly is it? Traditional client/server CRM software is a dying breed. The CRM software market has shifted from an ownership to a rental model, freeing businesses from the hassle and expense of software purchasing, deployment, and maintenance.

Cloud computing is another way to describe the much more compelling model of delivering business software over the Internet. With the Web, you can cut costs because you only pay to use the software instead of purchasing it. A multitenant platform with a single, common infrastructure and code base that is centrally maintained makes this model possible.