What is cloud computing

Cloud computing is being hailed as the next big step of the Internet but what is cloud computing exactly? We could get very technical here but many people begin to get very overwhelmed when computer lingo and IT jargon is thrown around so we are going to keep this a very simple introduction. Cloud computing really is the concept (and now reality) of the melding of three components with the result being cloud computing, these components are:

• Virtualization :
  
  creation of software that is a completely self contained package that runs independent from your computer i.e. is virtual
   
• Software service
  
  Having flexible access to a shared software facility on a subscription basis rather than having to purchase multiple software programs for each computer / server.
   
• Utility Computing
  
  Server capacity access is spread around several servers and sold as a price shared service.

These three concepts merged are the backbone and foundation to cloud computing.

So we now have the definition of cloud computing but what does it really mean to an individual or a company? Traditionally a business or company would have its own servers, many software applications and a dedicated IT team managing those servers and applications. This is costly and draining for a business to maintain and set up. With cloud computing all these elements are removed from being necessary. Instead there is a shift in a different direction several ways.

Firstly, instead of a company buying expensive business application software licenses and upgrades to their software, cloud computing allows a business to simply plug into a software package remotely and then just pay for what they use. Secondly, instead of having a mass team of experts to install and maintain your hardware and software cloud computing is all managed remotely thus reducing cost. Thirdly, instead of having your servers in house with the chance of downtime, cloud computing is spread through a network of several servers which means that you don’t have to worry about your servers crashing as there will always be another server to pick up the slack. Not only is the worry removed but also the cost as you would only pay for the package you are using i.e. the space and server capacity as a rental service, this is a far more cost efficient option than buying and managing all your own hardware and software.

Cloud computing is really changing the way that businesses will work allowing smaller companies to grow without the need for vast funds in computer and network development, as well as larger companies to become more cost efficient in today’s economic climate.