What is Cloud Computing and Do I need it?
Interesting name but where did it come from?
For years network engineers have shown areas within carrier networks as clouds in network diagrams. The term cloud refers to any area in the core network that is not at a customer site or office.
So cloud computing has something to do with off site computing, hope your still with me!
Cloud computing has been around for a very long time in one form or another but it is really just starting to take off in a big way, in a large part because of the development of the Internet and also the availability of broadband services.
The most basic form of cloud computing is your Internet based email, Yahoo mail, Google mail and Microsoft MSN are all good examples.
Now you can run almost any type of application in the cloud, like word processing, spreadsheets, databases and sales tools like salesforce.com.
Why would you want to use cloud computing?
Because it lowers your cost of applications, simplifies support and improves your network performance. I could spend a lot time explaining why but really you just need to know that for SME's it makes a lot of sense.
By the way, if your worried about not being able to work if the network is down, these applications often have small versions that can run on your local machine and then synchronise when the network comes back.
You don't have to manage servers anymore and you can use smaller netbooks rather than more costly and powerful Laptops and desktops.
All sounds pretty good doesn't it ?
If you have a technology question you want answered just let me know and I will get the info for you and explain it in layman's terms.
For years network engineers have shown areas within carrier networks as clouds in network diagrams. The term cloud refers to any area in the core network that is not at a customer site or office.
So cloud computing has something to do with off site computing, hope your still with me!
Cloud computing has been around for a very long time in one form or another but it is really just starting to take off in a big way, in a large part because of the development of the Internet and also the availability of broadband services.
The most basic form of cloud computing is your Internet based email, Yahoo mail, Google mail and Microsoft MSN are all good examples.
Now you can run almost any type of application in the cloud, like word processing, spreadsheets, databases and sales tools like salesforce.com.
Why would you want to use cloud computing?
Because it lowers your cost of applications, simplifies support and improves your network performance. I could spend a lot time explaining why but really you just need to know that for SME's it makes a lot of sense.
By the way, if your worried about not being able to work if the network is down, these applications often have small versions that can run on your local machine and then synchronise when the network comes back.
You don't have to manage servers anymore and you can use smaller netbooks rather than more costly and powerful Laptops and desktops.
All sounds pretty good doesn't it ?
If you have a technology question you want answered just let me know and I will get the info for you and explain it in layman's terms.
Comments
Post a Comment