Cloud computing is the wave of the future - much more so than any type of computer, any new enormous size chip or card, and more than any other program.
It is a new way of thinking about delivering applications, and providing data storage better network performance management and higher level information technology infrastructure. Yet all of this can be provided without the enormous financial burden to business. We look at what cloud computing is and how it could impact your business.
The surface description of cloud computing can sound a little scary to businesses - it basically means that businesses and employees (as well as private computer users, of course), can access technological services without control or ownership of the infrastructure, expertise with the systems, the need to maintain programs or data, and even without knowledge of how the storage and manipulation occurs.
Despite the fact that it removes some of the control for businesses, it also relieves a huge technological burden. Your IT consultant can explain to you how it can reduce costs for your particular business, as well as allowing you to do things that were previously not viable due to finance constraints.
Some of the key characteristics of cloud computing include capital expenditure being minimized. Your information technology infrastructure budget can be slashed, and the related IT consulting services are minimized also. Things like external storage devices, network routers, and extra computers with different programs on them are needed in fewer and fewer situations.
An internet connection is all the information technology infrastructure that is needed, usually.
Your business information is more accessible with cloud computing - you are able to access complex platforms that are web based from devices that previously couldn't support that sort of manipulation - you may be able to use design software from mobile phones, for example.
Your network performance management is much simpler, as there is a lower information burden on the system. Servers and routers can still be used for some things, but are no longer critical. However, you should note that the limiting factor with cloud computing will be bandwidth or high network load, rather than information technology infrastructure limits.
If you deliver services to your clients electronically, you will have found your IT consultants working on engineering your sites and programs for peak loads, to ensure that service is not stopped for some people at high demand times. Scalability is much better with cloud computing - changing user demands can be factored into information technology infrastructure development.
If you have ever had that sinking feeling of seeing your screen suddenly blank out, wondered just how much work you had lost, and tried frantically to recall your information technology consulting firm's phone number, you will appreciate the disaster recovery and business continuity features of cloud computing.
The only limiting factor then is an outage of internet service - this makes it critical that you discuss with your information technology consultancy which is the most reliable internet provider, and stick with it.
You can see the likelihood of encountering a large outage - historical data on cloud outages is tracked on a database known as the Cloud Computing Incidents Database.
About the Author:
Datacraft is the leading independent IT services and solutions company in Asia Pacific. Datacraft combines an expertise in networking, security, Microsoft solutions, storage and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration and managed services, to craft IT solutions for businesses.
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308
Date Published :
Dec 14 2008