To put it simply, cloud computing is storing and accessing data and programs on a variety of Internet-based computing services instead of a PC’s hard drive. The term “cloud” is a mere metaphor for the Internet. The computing happens in a large datacenter outside your organization and you see the results of it on your own screen.
What cloud computing isn’t about is the hard drive. Storing data or running data from the hard drive is called local storage and computing—everything you need is physically within reach, which makes the access of data fast and easy for one PC or others connected to a local network. This is how the computer industry has functioned for decades.
Cloud computing also means not having NAS or a network attached storage hardware or a resident server. Cloud computing is accessing data and programs over the Internet, or at the very least, have that data in sync with information over the Web.
Of course, we’re talking about cloud computing in terms of individual Internet users who regularly access Internet from home or as part of a small-to-medium office. Cloud computing is a different beast for businesses. Some businesses opt to implement SaaS or Software-as-a-Service, where a business subscribes to an application accessed over the Internet. PaaS or Platform-as-a-Service is where a business can come up with its own custom applications for use by everyone in the company. Lastly, there’s IaaS or Infrastructure-as-a-Service where big names like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google provide a backbone that can be rented out by other companies.
This goes without saying that cloud computing is a big business. In 2012, the market was generating $100 billion and it could increase by $270 billion in 2020.
Here at transcosmos, we make it a point to maximize the best resources available to increase productivity. Taking one’s business to the cloud promises rapid service deployment, augmented storage capacity, and efficiency that exceeds expectations.
We list down 5 benefits of cloud computing.
1. Reduced Hardware Needs
Moving business-critical applications into the cloud will lessen PC upgrades and employees will make do with not so high-end PCs. This is all thanks to the fact that computing isn’t done via a computer. One will be surprised that a cloud-computing infrastructure demands a smaller staff than a traditional IT setup since your business will not be managing the software anymore.
2. An agile business
Cloud computing gives an enterprise that competitive edge. Getting its resources computed when needed shortens IT projects resulting in less FTEs or full-time equivalent to deliver a project and a predictive time-to-market. A fast and quality delivery of results that costs cheaper makes a business nimble on her feet.
3. Flexibility to venture into new businesses
Time and money—the lack or limited amount thereof holds back a business’ pursuit of new ventures. With the availability of on-demand cloud resources, the design and testing of a new product line is made efficient. New configurations can be retrieved in a matter of minutes or hours, reducing time the time element involved. This faster process costs less as users are only charged for that amount of time they use the cloud. This also encourages innovations that spring from limitless experimentations. On-demand cloud resources provide a conducive way to try out new ideas, making a shift in business focus less risky
4. Smooth-sailing mergers and acquisitions
One of the more critical risks of mergers is that it takes months or years to bring data and records from one system to another. Worst case scenario? It never happens. Some government agencies experience a similar problem when efforts are made to consolidate agencies or departments. Some agencies end up having workers manually code information from one system to another, which is tedious work. With cloud, transitions are made easier and faster. Conjoined businesses can reap the ready and rapid access of cloud-based systems.
5. Environment-friendly
Cloud computing requires less infrastructures and in-office IT equipment. It also requires less electricity compared to thousands of office-grade computers. Large cloud-computing providers can maximize data centers for energy efficiency.
