This IDC study profiles 10 relatively small Canadian-based cloud solutions that it believes are worthy of highlighting to the broader industry and have the potential to make an impact in the information and communication technology (ICT) market. This study provides a review of each company's technology and go-to-market strategy, partners, and customers. It concludes with some of the overarching trends IDC is seeing in this market, including the technology life-cycle adoption curve for cloud services in Canada and a word map of Canadian perceptions of cloud computing. This study provides valuable input for ICT vendors, investors, government, and service providers to identify promising companies in the cloud, potential partners, and investment opportunities.

"Cloud computing is still only in the nascent stages in Canada, but is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years," says Krista Napier, senior analyst, Competitive Intelligence and Emerging Technology at IDC Canada. "Still, the barriers to adoption in the short run must not be underestimated, and this poses challenges for emerging ICT firms with limited track records that are bringing cloud solutions to market. Showcasing ROI and success stories and addressing security concerns will be key for emerging vendors to succeed in the cloud."