Jeff Kaplan tries to clarify where he sees the intersect of cloud computing and SaaS. His post is in response to many people using the two terms pretty much interchangeably. Jeff says that;
In my case, I view cloud computing as a broad array of web-based services aimed at allowing users to obtain a wide range of functional capabilities on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis that previously required tremendous hardware/software investments and professional skills to acquire. Cloud computing is the realization of the earlier ideals of utility computing without the technical complexities or complicated deployment worries. With this precept in mind, I see SaaS as a subset or segment of the cloud computing market.
One of Jeff’s commenter’s puts a more simple spin on it when he says that;
[the] primary difference between cloud and SaaS is who they serve. Cloud computing serves developers and companies who develop software and services. SaaS serves end users who use software.
So from this definition we see that SaaS is one consumer facing usage of cloud computing. While it’s something of a semantic discussion it is important for people inside to have an understanding of what it all means. Put simply cloud computing is the infrastructural paradigm shift that enables the ascension of SaaS.
Ben Kepes is an analyst, an entrepreneur, a commentator and a business adviser. His business interests include a diverse range of industries from manufacturing to property to technology. As a technology commentator he has a broad presence both in the traditional media and extensively online. Ben covers the convergance of technology, mobile, ubiquity and agility, all enabled by the Cloud. His areas of interest extend to enterprise software, software integration, financial/accounting software, platforms and infrastructure as well as articulating technology simply for everyday users. 
Ben, would you be cool with our republishing this brief post, with your and bio (plus a link back to the original URL) at http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/?
We try and do this from time to time with new ‘voices’ (especially voices from afar!) to introduce them to our audience, and vice versa.
Let us know, yes? Thank u…meantime have a great Wednesday!
Jeremy G.
–
Jeremy Geelan
Cloud Computing Journal
[...] Ben Kepes [...]
Regardless of whether we have applications following the SaaS model, or more traditional models, cloud computing is an avalanche powered by a 10-fold reduction in cost. I see a huge risk that this trend will push more of New Zealand’s IT business offshore. For more discussion, see my article on Cloud Computing in New Zealand at http://www.glennandert.com/2008/07/21/cloud-computing-in-new-zealand.).
[...] interesting issue is cloud computing as the infrastructure model that enables SaaS. Food for thought, [...]
[...] Ben Kepes offers a succinct: “I view cloud computing as a broad array of web-based services aimed at allowing users to obtain a wide range of functional capabilities on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis that previously required tremendous hardware/software investments and professional skills to acquire. Cloud computing is the realization of the earlier ideals of utility computing without the technical complexities or complicated deployment worries.” [...]
[...] Ben Kepes [...]
Thanks for this, found it v useful when writing our own description.you can read it here if interested, would love to hear your thoughts : http://bit.ly/9y9oDt
[...] "I view cloud computing as a broad array of web-based services aimed at allowing users to obtain a wide range of functional capabilities on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis that previously required tremendous hardware/software investments and professional skills to acquire. Cloud computing is the realization of the earlier ideals of utility computing without the technical complexities or complicated deployment worries." - Ben Kepes [...]
[...] my case, I view Cloud computing as a broad array of web-based services aimed at allowing users to obtain a wide range of [...]