Cloud Computing Uses

June 15, 2015 11:29 am

The Cloud.  One of the biggest and most used buzzwords in the technology and business fields currently.  “Are we in the cloud?” “What is the cloud?” “Where is the cloud?”  Let’s break it down for you so “the cloud”  is at least somewhat understandable for the average business/computer user.

What is the cloud?

Technically, the cloud is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. Don’t mistake this as being an amorphous mist floating above all of our businesses.  Instead, the reality is that is it actually a physical infrastructure – it is many computers housed in massive warehouses all over the world.

What does the cloud “do”?

The cloud allows users to store and access business files from anywhere rather than relying on a  hard drive at an office.  Just like homeowners have water piped to their house and pay for only what they use, the cloud is similar in that you pay for only how much you need to access and store.

How is the cloud used?

  • To reduce costs – The price of onsite hosting of your business computer information can be excessive especially considering the cost of the actual hardware.
  • To have universal access – cloud computing can allow remotely located employees to access applications and work via the internet.
  • To gain a technology advantage – According to PC Magazine, “some businesses are choosing to implement Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), where the business subscribes to an application it accesses over the Internet. There’s also Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), where a business can create its own custom applications for use by all in the company. And don’t forget the mighty Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), where players like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Rackspace provide a backbone that can be “rented out” by other companies.” (Source: PC Magazine)
  • To have file storage and backup – the cloud offers the ability to store files with the ability to access and retrieve them from any web-enabled interface. Payment is only needed for the storage that is consumed and there are no concerns about daily maintenance.  Using the cloud data backup is much less time consuming and gives the assurance that security, availability nor capacity are issues.
  • To gain optimal speed and access to newest software – the cloud maintains up-to-date software and means that new IT resources are just a few short clicks away.

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