It’s a common term in information technology, but the concrete benefits of cloud computing tend to be misunderstood. Often dismissed as a catch-all buzzword, use of the “cloud” continues to expand in step with e-commerce and the ongoing digitization of life as we know it.
Cloud computing refers specifically to networks of computing devices that provide Web hosting services. In other words, it’s computing that is Internet based.
Unlike computing of the past, for which programs and applications were downloaded to servers physically situated at the workplace, the cloud is a virtual workplace that typically offers a great deal more storage and flexibility. The benefits of moving to the cloud for business purposes are numerous and include, among other perks, increased efficiency and cost reduction.
Cloud computing networks offer increased protection from server failure, as information is spread across a series of devices, thereby offering a greater level of protection and reliability. In short, cloud computing translates to a heck of a lot of backup that will be there when you need it.
An additional benefit of cloud computing services is that end users aren’t responsible for managing and maintaining core technology. End users can enjoy the advantages of utilizing resources stored on the cloud as needed — without the headaches associated with maintenance, management and potential server failure.
What Cloud Computing Can Do for You
We’ve discussed the benefits of redundant data storage, but not how it actually works. Redundant storage specifically refers to the use of several hard disks to store information. In the event that one of them fails, data isn’t lost and instead becomes immediately available on another disk.
Dedicated cloud services are wholly dedicated to your company as opposed to being available for use by others, which is a bit like utilizing your own private Internet. Depending upon your chosen plan, your services may include both rapid-access memory, or RAM, and central-processing unit, or CPU.
Increased flexibility in a number of areas is another significant benefit of cloud computing. From the ability to quickly increase bandwidth to greater security and the ease of automatic software updates, the cloud as a virtual workplace offers a great deal of freedom and ease of management.
Combined with its ability to allow users to work from just about anywhere, the cloud offers greater opportunities for collaboration, as documents and apps can be easily shared on the cloud.
Also a relatively financially flexible endeavor, cloud computing typically involves a pay-as-you-go subscription-type agreement, so massive capital expenditures for on-site servers aren’t needed. And because the servers are maintained by service providers, the costs and time factor usually attached to server failure is eliminated with cloud use.
