This document specifies cloud computing interoperability and portability types, the relationship and interactions between these two cross-cutting aspects of cloud computing and distributed platforms, as well as common terminology and concepts used to discuss interoperability and portability, particularly relating to cloud services.

The goal of this document is to ensure that all parties involved in cloud computing, particularly cloud service customers (CSC), cloud service providers (CSP) and cloud service partners (CSN) acting as cloud service developers, have a common understanding of interoperability and portability for their specific needs, including switching service provision from one CSP to another. This common understanding helps to achieve interoperability and portability in cloud computing by establishing common terminology and concepts.