bobology newsletter: What is the Cloud?
The Cloud is a term used with more and more frequency to refer to services (both hardware and software) that exist on a network. The most common cloud-based services are accessed via the Internet, but a person or a business can also have a private cloud on a local network as well. The term Cloud itself refers to the cloud-shaped symbol used to depict this service in network topology diagrams.
What Does the Cloud Do?
The most common implementation of the Cloud is through online storage of files. The files are typically accessed through a web browser or by a small program designed to access these files. This means that a user in New York can modify a file that can instantly be accessed by another user in California. That same user can then view the file on any device at any time. Similar to other secure transactions on the Internet such as online banking, the Cloud uses encryption to keep data safe from malicious users.
Benefits of the Cloud
Cloud computing is making its way into every facet of both business and personal computing. The benefits to using the Cloud are many. Personal cloud services such as Google Drive and iCloud are allowing users to access data (documents, files, pictures) from anywhere using a smartphone, PC, or tablet. Businesses have begun adapting cloud services as well. Since important files are no longer stored locally on an individual's hard drive, the risk of losing important data due to equipment failure or natural disaster is substantially mitigated. Group collaboration even across international lines is easy to accomplish thanks to the Cloud. Many large software companies have started offering cloud-based services to small and large businesses alike. This drives the cost of doing business down drastically and can provide a more seamless experience.
Although the term may seem ambiguous at first glance, the Cloud is taking technology in a new direction. The benefits of using the Cloud increase daily as companies begin to leverage this technology to keep costs low and work more efficiently. Gone are the days of forgetting an important document at home or at the office. With just a few mouse clicks, that file is available anywhere.
Although the term may seem ambiguous at first glance, the Cloud is taking technology in a new direction. The benefits of using the Cloud increase daily as companies begin to leverage this technology to keep costs low and work more efficiently. Gone are the days of forgetting an important document at home or at the office. With just a few mouse clicks, that file is available anywhere.
Not a subscriber? Don't miss a single issue: