Cloud computing – Basics and Advantages

Cloud is a big word today in technology. It is not just a word. It is a trend. It is a phenomenon. Everyone is talking about cloud. So what exactly cloud is. It is nothing but just a simile for the Internet.

In cloud computing, you store and access data and computer programs not in your computer’s hard drive but over the Internet. It is not about your physical hard drive where everything is physically present close to you. If you have a dedicated hardware server in your residence or office, and you are storing data in that server then it will not be supposed to be utilizing the cloud.
Cloud computing can be categorized into following three categories:

Software-as-a-service (SaaS): In this type of cloud computing the businesses subscribes to an application it accesses over the Internet. Software as a service includes running enterprise applications like CRM software and business intelligence software in the cloud. More examples are productivity applications like email, database and custom applications in the cloud. Then there is Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): Here a business creates its own customized application and it is used by all manpower in the company or in other words a platform is delivered as a service. The third is Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). Sometimes it is also known as Hardware as a Service (HaaS). It is a model in which a big organization outsources or rents out the equipments that supports storage, servers, hardware and networking components. There are a few components of IaaS such as automation of administrative tasks, utility computing and billing, internet connectivity etc.

There are many advantages of cloud computing.They are as following:
Increased productivity: When you deploy cloud computing in your business, you can easily increase volume output because the cost per unit or project goes down.

Pay as you go: You can spend less on technology infrastructure as it allows you to pay weekly, quarterly or yearly.

Globalize your manpower at negligible cost: Your workforce can access the cloud with the help of an internet connection.

Make processes more efficient: Your business will certainly be benefited as there is no requirement of spending big money on hardware, software and licensing fee. With cloud computing you can monitor your projects easily as you have access anytime, anywhere.