Cloud Computing Defined
Posted by John Panico on Sun, Feb 28, 2010
Alongside the Social Media revolution, Cloud Computing is creating its own buzz and is reshaping the way businesses build and maintain their Information Technology environments. But when you look beyond all the hype and buzz, you will see the reality of Cloud Computing is providing benefits to companies that were never before possible.
So what is Cloud Computing? Let's start by defining the Cloud. Wikipedia says the Cloud is a "metaphor for the Internet". It also defines Computing as the "use of computer technology". So, by definition we could say Cloud Computing is "the use of computer technology over the Internet". But that's a little broad and may still leave you scratching your head. To get more clarity we must first shift our way of thinking from the widely used term of the past decade "on the Internet" and move forward to "over the Internet". Think AOL and dial-up modems versus Google and high-speed, broadband access to the Internet. Over the Internet refers to having information and remote services delivered to us rather than seeking it out. So to keep it simple, we'll say that cloud computing provides a remote service that users can access via the Internet.
Today, the most typical form of Cloud Computing is called Software-as-a-Service (also referred to as SaaS). Common business applications are run on a vendor's web servers and are accessed by users from inside a web browser. Examples of SaaS are CRM applications like Salesforce.com or Financial applications like Quickbooks Online. New SaaS providers are coming to market every day and the good news is that more and more of them are targeting small businesses. A great resource to help find a SaaS application for your business is The Small Business Web initiative (http://www.thesmallbusinessweb.com/). The applications listed offer a full suite of services normally reserved for only larger enterprises. Another popular form of cloud computing is Communications-as-a-Service (or VoIP). Some of you may already be using a service like this at home. Comcast and Verizon both offer a digital voice service provided over your home internet connection.
I could go on and talk about other forms of Cloud Computing like Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Platform-as-a-Service, but the common theme is Everything-as-a-Service. You subscribe instead of buy, you access via the web and consume only the resources you need when you need it. Very cool! Stay tuned for my next post that will discuss the benefits of Cloud Computing for small businesses.