What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing sounds nebulous and intangible but working in the cloud is not at all working with your head in the clouds. I would like to clear up the concept of cloud computing by giving you definitions and providing examples of how it can help you work more efficiently and more effectively.

So, what is the cloud? More importantly, what will it do for you?

Cloud computing is delivering computing as a service rather than a tangible product.  Cloud computing utilizes powerful enterprise servers, software, network and information in a shared resources environment. Another term used to describe cloud computing is hosting. Hosting means that the service is hosted and managed by a provider. Providers are companies that invest in computer hardware, software, know-how and infrastructure and “provide” the shared environment as a service.

In a shared environment, you can enjoy lower upfront capitol expenditure and ongoing maintenance for a predictable monthly fee. It is a good way for a small company to work efficiently and effectively with tools that large enterprises have. Scalability and flexibility is another great benefit of cloud computing. Most cloud computing services are designed to be accessible by a variety of computing devices allowing access from work, home, and mobile devices.

How can you take advantage? what services should you consider?

There is a plethora of cloud services available today. Typically, businesses have or need phones, email, productivity software like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and bookkeeping programs like QuickBooks. Today, all these needs can be satisfied in a cloud computing solution.

Phone services can be hosted and provide enterprise grade functionality and features like auto attendant, extensions, voicemail, voicemail to email, call forwarding and call blocking to name a few. Because the phone service is hosted in the cloud, you can plug in your phone anywhere that has broadband internet access. This allows an employee to be at home in Seattle Washington and answer a phone call for a business that is located in San Jose, California.

Hosted Exchange is another great cloud computing solution for email, calendar, and tasking solutions. By subscribing to Hosted Exchange you eliminate the need to purchase, maintain, or upgrade an expensive internal Exchange Servers. This translates into a cost saving and more reliable system.

So who uses the cloud?

Small to enterprise level companies are finding the benefits of cloud computing and seeing that it has advantages for many types of companies. Away from work, most people don’t even realize it but social media like Facebook, Twitter, or Constant Contact are all examples of cloud computing.

Cloud computing is here and growing more effective by the day.