What is cloud computing?
Businesses now a days use cloud computing to store, manage, and process data rather than a local server or a personal computer. With cloud computing you do not have to manage your hardware and software because the application does it for you. Think of the cloud as the internet’s virtual storage locker. As more and more companies have converted their data to entirely digital formats, the less they have needed to spend in high cost storage of paper files.The benefits to utilizing cloud computing are rather infinite and are just beginning to be utilized in major ways in business. One of the more obvious benefits beyond simply storing files is the remote access cloud computing provides. You can log into your data anywhere and anytime. It goes everywhere you go without any hassle. There are many cloud computing applications and some people use them without realizing that it's part of cloud computing. For example: Web-based cloud services, SaaS (Software as a Services), Platform as a Service, Utility cloud services, Managed services, and Service Commerce. These are just a few examples of what cloud computing can do because there will always be new ideas regarding the use of clouds.
Cloud Computing is:
- Online Storage of digital files
- Remote Access to those files from anywhere with internet access
- a way to increase business capacity and efficiency to cut operational costs
- The word “cloud” being used metaphorically to describe the intangible aspect of the online digital storage
Cloud Computing is not:
- In any way shape or form related to meteorology, weather patterns, Native American rain dances, or stratospheric/tropospheric/various types of actual physical clouds, etc.
While many may be unfamiliar with cloud computing in business even as they are using it, many have become familiar in recent weeks with some of the various web-based cloud services such as Google Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, Apple’s icloud, Dropbox, Amazon Cloud Drive etc. In fact, these email and retail accounts are examples of cloud computing themselves. Accessing your gmail account remotely from a computer lab or cell phone or friend’s computer to retrieve messages and attachments previously sent or received is essentially cloud computing at its core.
We will be taking a deeper look into these and the other types of cloud computing platforms and applications in future blogs. For now, those interested should start by trying out one of these web-based services as they are free (with limitations) and are tied directly to accounts many of you already have either through email or an online retailer such as Amazon.
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ReplyDeleteI'm curious about the definition of "cloud". For some reason I thought cloud computing was more than simply storing information "online" (AKA: remotely), but more specifically had to do with HOW it was stored. That is, instead of your information being stored on a physical server somewhere, with cloud services the servers are "virtual" in the sense that the "server" has no physical location. So, now "server" is now less synonymous with "computer".
ReplyDeleteAm I totally wrong?
Hi Aaron, when clouding computing started, it was base on storing information "Online" but right now, it can be stored "Offline". Take an example with Google, they created a Gmail Offline web application that allows working with email offline much the same as other email solutions. The application lets us read email and compose new messages that are automatically sent the next time we used our Chromebook it is connected to the web. It's similar to the Gmail mobile application. Google Docs allows us to use word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application that can be store in the cloud. All of those documents and spreadsheet can be view offline now. You are right in stating that cloud computing is more than simply storing information "Online".
DeleteThanks Sophy for verifying that. I still wonder though, if "cloud" specifically refers to type of virtual server or is it only and entirely a "buzz word"?
DeleteCloud has been a corporate buzz word for business as well as technology. It is also virtually because being in the "cloud" means that your data is reachable virtually anywhere. I guess you can say that it's both.
DeleteWith the recent hack into Apple's cloud, do you think we will start to see a shift to personal clouds as a more secure way to store information?
ReplyDeleteMy personal opinion regarding your question is that nothing is secure in this world, the only thing we can do is try our best to make it secure and avoid leaking our information out to the world. There are so many hackers all over the world. If one can hack into a government file then we are all doom if they wanted to hack into our personal clouds.
DeleteI think it will change the way cloud based companies view security as far as prioritizing goes. I'm sure many if not all will beef up that aspect of their business, some will capitalize on apple's dilemma, and new legislative measures will be considered.
DeleteI totally agree with Sophy in the long run and Ross in the short run. It's business as usual.
DeleteI do not think that this will be enough to cause a shift from the Apple Cloud to personal clouds simply because of the brand loyalty that Apple has from so many of their customers and the integrated ease of use of iCloud on many devices and the number of steps that can be used to by the user of the Apple Cloud to prevent such hacks. Celebrities are constantly bombarded with attempts to gain access to confidential information and unless that is no longer considered normal I do not foresee anyone making a dramatic switch from Apple products and services. Thank you for your question Derek.
ReplyDeletevery funny on cloud computer is not. that is like elementary answer. but even if we do store thing on clouds, is it can be trusted like personal identification?
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure I understand your question and if I should take offensive of your comment but let's see if I can answer it. In today's society nothing can be trusted even our own personal identification can be used by others. So many people have claim identity fraud all over the world and our previous answer is that no matter what system or application you used, it is bound to be hack by others regardless if you spent thousands of dollars for security purpose.
DeleteBecause cloud computing allows storage online, does this give a user unlimited space to store as much information as they need?
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on how much you are willing to spend. They do provide certain amount of space for free thou.
DeleteWhat are some of the major threats to cloud computing, and what measures are being taken to solve these problems
ReplyDeleteHackers for one. After Jenifer Lawrence's and other celebrities had their accounts hacked into their accounts Apple redid the security on their i cloud system.
Deletewe always fear hackers but majority of them always target celebrities or someone very powerful. As for us, I can honestly say we are a more safe then them. Like Steven had mention, since the Jennifer Lawrence incident, Apple did redid their security system.
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