Cloud Computing

In the last year many of us have come to hear the term "Cloud Computing", but many still do not know what that is.  One explanation is that cloud computing is what the baby boomers will be doing when they pass away. Makes sense since the baby boomers are one very well connected generation that is likely to stay connected to the Internet once they ascend into the heavens. All kidding aside, Cloud Computing is the wave of the future. Think of it this way.......

Cloud Computing essentially does away with an in house network system. The concept is that all you do is buy a very simple stripped down computer that allows you access to the Internet and we simply log on to a subscribed service portal; kind of a server farm, via the Internet that provides us with everything we want. No loading programs, no maintenance, no hardware upgrades, no updates, no fixing, patches, security or virus protection.........they do it all for you. Even back ups are performed for you. All you do is subscribe to what you want or need and pay a monthly fee for service. If you are in some industry that uses specialized software, they can even handle that. Simply send in the software, they will install it and maintain it according to your specifications.

Cloud Computing has many benefits. Some of these include world wide access, back up capability, scalability, virus prevention, data security, system maintenance and updates, catastrophe back up plans, reduced costs in hardware, up-grades and capital investment. There is talk many will offer bundled packages that include many of the basic needs of the average user. Imagine a bundled package that gives you, an accounting  package, spreadsheet, word processing, desktop publishing, database software, database storage, Internet access, email, voice over IP,  faxing service, web site. Yes, all for a monthly fee that may be about what your cable TV bill is, per user. The low price is due in large part to economies of scale.

Let's face it, in light of more powerful smart phones, the day will come when your entire computer will be your cell phone, which you simply connect wirelessly next to a screen and a key board and all of your computing will be in some remote location somewhere in the internet. No more desktops or laptops. One disadvantage is that all your data is literally somewhere else. What are the legal terms and your rights in regards to that data?  Who will have access? How is your privacy safeguarded? How can you verify your security? Are you being billed correctly for usage? These are very important questions. Do we as users give up some of our privacy? Who is looking at our files? Rest assured someone will have access at some point as it is simply part of managing your account. For many companies, trade secrets, critical research, pending law suits, financial information, all of this and more will be out there. You can rest assured security is a very big deal for these types of users. Additionally, for some it will not do away with an IT department entirely. Especially, for very large companies that are technology intensive.

Many companies use it already, in some cases because regulations require them to have some remote, parallel back-up system in the event of a catastrophe. This is true of banking, investment banks and other businesses which, by law, can not be down for extended periods of time. Cloud Computing is something we will all eventually get into. But there are still many challenges to overcome before everyone buys into it. It is definitely something some of you may wish to look into as many companies already provide good service at reasonable prices.