The rapid growth of cloud computing is changing the way business is done, and nowhere is the impact more apparent than through the use of mobile tools and technologies.

This paper, the second in a series on the emerging cloud economy, is based on a global survey and interviews with business and IT executives. It looks at the ways cloud platforms support mobile applications and strategies to improve customer experience and boost bottom-line results.

The next generation of cloud technology has arrived, as complex and robust cloud platforms enable new levels of collaboration, creativity, and customer interaction. Companies already are making extensive use of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) to derive a range of business benefits, with rapid growth planned for the next three years.

This paper, built on a global survey of 200 business and IT executives, provides an overview of the shifting cloud landscape, including case studies and an analysis of how leading companies use cloud platforms. Subsequent papers in this series will take closer looks at cloud platforms through the lenses of mobility, integration, and security.