What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is the next stage in the Internet’s evolution, providing the means through which everything, from computing infrastructure to business processes, can be delivered to you, as a service, wherever and whenever you require it.
The “cloud” in cloud computing can be explained as the group of hardware, networks, storage, services, and interfaces that combine to deliver aspects of computing as a service.
Cloud services include the delivery of software, infrastructure, and storage over the Internet (either as separate components or a complete platform) based on user demand.
Cloud computing has four essential characteristics:
Elasticity and the ability to scale up and down.
Self-service provisioning and automatic de-provisioning.
Application programming interfaces (APIs).
Billing and metering of service usage in a pay-as-you-go model.
This flexibility is what attracts businesses to move to the Cloud.
Cloud computing can completely change the way companies use technology to service customers, partners, and suppliers. Some businesses, such as Google and Amazon, already have most of their IT resources in the cloud. They have found that it can eliminate many of the complex constraints from the traditional computing environment, including space, time, power, and cost.
The fact is many people may already be using cloud computing without realizing it, whether through work or personal use. Examples include web-based email like Google mail and Hotmail, communication tools like Skype, video sites like You Tube and music sharing sites such as SoundCloud.
Some examples of Cloud computing applications include software as a service (SaaS), Customer Relationship Management, file storage, file synchronization, calendars, and file back-up.
The Benefits of Cloud Computing
There are lots of advantages to using Cloud computing for business. One of the major ones is the flexibility that it offers. Cloud computing allows staff to access the files and data that they need even when they’re working remotely and/or outside office hours.
As long as they can get on the Internet, staff can access information from home, on the road, from clients’ offices or even from a smartphone such as a BlackBerry or iPhone. Staff can also work collaboratively on files and documents, even when they’re not physically together. Documents can simultaneously be viewed and edited from multiple locations.
Cloud computing can be very quick and easy to get up and running. Consider, for example, how quickly you can set up a Gmail or Hotmail account and start emailing – it takes minutes and all you need is a computer and the Internet. Downloading and installing software, on the other hand, takes much longer.
Cloud computing is often cheaper and less labour-intensive for business too. There is no need to buy and install expensive software because it’s already installed online remotely and you run it from there, not to mention the fact that many cloud computing applications are offered free of charge.
With cloud computing, you subscribe to the software, rather than buying it outright. This means that you only need to pay for it when you need it, and it also offers flexibility, in that it can be quickly and easily scaled up and down according to demand. This can be particularly advantageous when there are temporary peaks in demand, such as at Christmas or in summer, for example.
The need to pay for extensive disk space is also removed. A major advantage of using Cloud computing for many businesses is that because it’s online, it offers virtually unlimited storage compared to server and hard drive limits. Needing more storage space does not cause issues with server upgrades and equipment – usually all you need to do is increase your monthly fee slightly for more data storage.
For more information on our Cloud Computing solutions please visit www.inthecloudit.co.uk or contact us on 01332 727922 or email info@websitedesignderby.com.
