The terms “The Cloud” and “Cloud Computing” are the latest buzzword in IT circles and businesses, but what and where is The Cloud?
In simple terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of from your computer’s hard drive. The network of servers which store the data and contain the programmes that we download is referred to as “The Cloud”. The fact that cloud computing uses the internet, means that data and programs can be accessed from anywhere, at any time and on any device with an online connection.
You are probably already using the cloud, for example if you have “G-Mail”, your mail is stored in the cloud and therefore you can access your mail from anywhere in the world.
Many businesses use the cloud to implement “Software as a Service” (SaaS), whereby, instead of buying the program as a “boxed set”, they pay a monthly subscription to download and use the application via the internet. Examples of this kind of application would be “MIMECAST” Email Management and Microsoft’s “Office Online” (Word, Excel etc.). No additional hardware is necessary and this will result in reduced IT operational costs by effectively “outsourcing” your hardware and software maintenance and support to the cloud provider.
Have a look here, to get an idea of some of the services one can run 'from the cloud'.
So basically the cloud is a network of servers, some of which provide online applications such as “Mimecast” while others, such as “G-Mail”, allow you to store and access data and information.
Some of the benefits of using cloud computing include, saving on expensive hardware infrastructure thereby lowering insurance costs, ease of upscaling or downscaling, you only pay for what you use and your data is available at any time via any internet connected computer, smart phone or tablet.
This allows your company to be nimble, more efficient and cost effective.
If you would like to know how our cloud based services can help your business, please contact us.