WAN optimization offers clear benefits today, so it is logical that this will continue in parallel with the move to cloud computing. Will cloud computing drive new WAN optimization services and innovation? Yes. As cloud computing matures over time, WAN optimization technologies must respond with: Virtualization options: As large organizations move through the enterprise and dynamic phases, they will virtualize applications and not just servers. This means that Web, application, and database servers will be grouped together as virtual applications that run as VMs and move around the cloud infrastructure in unison. This could improve resource utilization, but what happens to end-user performance when a virtual application hosted in   New York City   moves to   Berlin ? To address this type of dynamic IT in the future, virtual applications must be supported and accompanied by virtual WAN optimization appliances as they move around the network. Ideally, virtual WAN opt...