Rackspace set up the site to help organisations cut through the hype, and understand the benefits and limitations of cloud computing, according to Rackspace chief strategy officer Lew Moorman.

"It is becoming compelling for businesses to move a big part of their IT into the cloud. It is creating all sorts of upheaval, excitement and confusion, so we are trying to clarify it for people," he said.

"We are trying to help people figure out how you should use cloud tools, and how it might go in the future. People are a little bit paralysed because there is so much noise."

Moorman explained, for example, that some customers need to be taught that cloud storage is perfect for large files such as videos and photos, but not for databases or when super high-speed access is essential.

Similarly, in cases where there are specific security or regulatory concerns, a dedicated server would be preferable to virtualised cloud servers.

Moorman explained that the Cloud Clinic is "just a start", and that many more cloud initiatives will follow in the coming year as more organisations explore the model as a way of saving costs and improving IT agility.