Can EMC keep cloud computing from forking?

EMC and AT&T are collaborating on a cloud storage offering, they jointly reported on Monday. That's good news in an environment where there is increasing fear that cloud computing solutions are developing down a fragmented path that will eventually require inter-connectivity. However, both companies acknowledged that there are limits to the collaboration announced.

AT&T's Enterprise division announced the availability of AT&T Synaptic Storage as a Service on Monday at EMC World in Orlando. This on-demand storage product allows businesses to essentially rent storage capacity from AT&T. That storage capacity can then scale up and down as needed, with companies only paying for their usage and not locked into a long-term contract.

Rowan Pacewicz, senior vice president of AT&T Business Solutions, said, "AT&T has always strived to bring the best of breed service to enable its clients to overcome business challenges. And working with EMC, AT&T can provide our customers with a flexible and cost-effective solution for storing, delivering and retrieving data that helps them meet their changing business needs."