BusinessCloud9, a new business-to-business (B2B) community dedicated to the Cloud computing revolution, has been launched by Knowledgeboard's parent company Sift Media.

The hosted model of software as a service (SaaS) has entered the mainstream of enterprise computing, with analysts at research firm Gartner Group predicting that by 2011, 25% of new business software will be delivered as a service in the Cloud.

Deploying and managing business-critical applications in the cloud offers a more cost-effective and flexible solution to the computing needs of all organisations, regardless of size or sector.

BusinessCloud9.com delivers a variety of content for both business users deploying Cloud computing and vendors deploying Cloud applications. Aimed at business and IT decision makers, the site offers news, analysis and expert commentary from thought leaders in the field, in addition to practical advice and case studies from end users.

"The Cloud is no longer simply the province of consumer-facing sites such as Facebook, but a viable B2B platform for applications ranging from accounting and finance, through human resources and talent management, to customer care and beyond," says BusinessCloud9 editor Stuart Lauchlan. "The Cloud computing revolution is underway - and BusinessCloud9 will be on the front line."

Darren Falkingham, head of marketing at Sift Media, adds: "It is clear from our own research amongst business software users that the adoption of online applications has increased significantly in 2008. Today’s cost pressures will always force businesses to seek more cost-effective infrastructure solutions – Cloud computing promises to deliver exactly that."