Cloud computing – so what is it? The term “Cloud” is being banded about quite a lot these days with even Microsoft proclaiming in Windows 7 tv adverts “To the Cloud!”
The “Cloud” they are refeering to is just terminolgy used to describe the internet as an online storage medium or service host, where web users (i.e.anyone with a computer, smart phone or internet enabled device) can access, store and share data or use web based services. We’ve all been using the ‘cloud’ for quite sometime now – anyone with a Gmail or Hotmail account effectively stores their emails and contacts online and can access or share their data which is all stored ‘in the cloud’. Benefits of this is that your data isn’t tied into one device (i.e. your laptop) so in the event of the failure of loss of this device, your cloud stored data can be retrieved from another internet enabled device.
Online backup has been around for a while now also – which is effectively your precious pc documents, photos and files backed up and stored securley online, accessible from anywhere. For a monthly subscription, see this as an insurance policy – you hope that your laptop or desktop pc will never fail or be lost, but in the event of this happening you know that your files are safe and secure.
Businesses can also now take advantage of cloud services as they become more mature. Google apps are web based document creation and editing applications with online storage. Microsoft has also recently uped the ante of it’s cloud based services aimed at small business and larger enterprises. Office 365 encompasses Microsoft Office applications via the web or even the full blown Office suite (2010) on a monthly subscription basis. Tie this in with enterprise standard server applications (Exchange for email, Sharepoint and Lync for collaboration etc.) and you’ve now got a viable and cost effective alternative to an office installed server solution.
For more info on any of this and how it may help enhance your pc expereince or help your business grow, drops us an email or enquiry and we’ll be happy to discuss a solution thats right for you.
