They have to learn how to bundle those services into appealing packages and see both the end user and the digital service provider as customers.

FORBES: How Telcos Can Contend With Cloud-Based Computing

Hybrid hard drives combine NAND flash and magnetic disks, simplifying storage-element integration for OEM customers and providing a host of end user benefits: superior performance, responsiveness, lower power consumption, greater operating shock tolerance, and data protection.

ENGADGET: Western Digital builds 5mm-thick hybrid hard drive, Ultrabook makers sign on early

Only one thing will eliminate or reduce the risk of vendor lock-in in the long run: if end-user customers start demanding standardization and interoperability, just as they have in the past with on-premises applications.

FORBES: Cloud Computing's Vendor Lock-In Problem: Why the Industry is Taking a Step Backward

Many companies draw a distinction between "consumers, " those who are the end-user of a product or service, and "customers, " those who are the trade, distributors and so on.

CNN: Who's king -- customer or employee?

In so doing, Studio UE helps its clients see how the end-user actually experiences their product and can help clients modify that experience so customers change their behavior.

FORBES: Studio UE Helps Tech See User's Perspective

End user touch points continue to expand, and technologies are enabling better and faster ways for customers to get what they need from companies.

FORBES: The New Art And Science Of Great Customer Experience

Rosas said Pure Networks brought together network OS development expertise and end user ease-of-use expertise into a product that adds a lot of value for D-Link customers.

ENGADGET: The Family is the Network: Pure Networks' Network Magic wants to make things simple