IT contractors and freelancers may find themselves increasingly called upon to integrate cloud computing technology as it becomes more popular.

According to ThinkGrid, the London Underground tube strikes provide a good example of when cloud computing can be beneficial to businesses.

Rob Lovell, chief executive officer of ThinkGrid, said strikes will affect the majority of companies in central London in some way, but those that have taken steps to decentralise their IT facilities will be less hit than most.

"All the IT services provided [by cloud computing] are continuous, so that you don't notice any difference and there are no disadvantages to, for instance, working from home," he commented.

"The tube strike and other events obviously compound that point, as well as just changes in society."

Riverbed Technology recently advised businesses to find alternative ways for their employees to work from home when the tube strikes began on September 6th.