**4.8 Concluding remarks**

The concept of the ALICE computing model was officially proposed in 2005. Since then, it has been used for massive Monte Carlo event productions, for end-user analysis and for the raw data management and processing. The strategy has been validated under heavy load during a series of Data Challenges and during the real data taking in 2010/2011. The model provides the required Grid functionality via a combination of the common Grid services offered on the WLCG resources and the ALICE-specific services from AliEn. Today's computing environments are anything but static. Fast development in Information Technologies, commodity hardware (hardware being constantly replaced and operating systems upgraded), Grid software and networking technologies inevitably boosted also further development of the ALICE computing model. One of the main effects is a transformation of the model from the strictly hierarchical Tier-like structure to a more loose scenario, a "cloud-like" solution.
