Much Ado About Cloud Computing

Written on November 24, 2010 by Jerson

Cloud computing is the buzzword nowadays, and a lot of major players in the tech scene are jumping into this bandwagon. What is cloud computing really, anyway? Why is it such a big deal?

If you want to get a grasp of what cloud computing is in the simplest way possible, I suggest that you check out Google’s newly released book, 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web. It does cover 19 other topics aside from cloud computing, but the way it presents the concept is simple enough for practically anyone to understand.

To paraphrase, cloud computing is tapping into the power afforded by the plethora of computers connected to each other all over the world. Data is stored in these computers located in various areas, and the same data is accessed by people from the four corners of the globe. Simple but powerful, isn’t it?

What are the advantages of cloud computing?

One, it is more cost effective for small to medium sized enterprises. There is an enormous amount of power afforded by the infrastructure, and since this is shared by many, the cost is spread out.

Two, cloud computing is supposed to be “greener,” again by virtue of less resources being used by more people.

Three, cloud computing offers data safety. A simple example: if your data is stored in the “cloud,” then your hard drive can crash, you can lose your computer, or whatever, and still your data can be easily retrieved.

One element that is critical to the efficiency and effectiveness of cloud computing is the role that data center services play. Entities offering these services have various set ups, but there is no doubt that they play a central role in storing data and managing access to it.

Whether it is for business or personal purposes, cloud computing certainly will be changing the landscape more in the years to come.