Understanding the concept of cloud computing is very simple!
Think of everything you can do on your computer with your files and applications.
For example, if you need to find a text file, you can search, browse the folders, or even know where you are and go straight to it. Or, if you want to open an application or software, you click on the icon, it opens, you type what needs to be informed and it generates the information without problems.
Well, the concept of cloud computing is basically the same thing, with 3 small differences.
The capacity of cloud storage is huge! Your HD will never get crowded or slow.
You can access your files from wherever you are (just have internet). From home, at work, on the bus, on the plane or in a spaceship (if you have a signal), you access the document or application you want and the device you are using (tablet, smartphone, notebook, etc.).
Everyone can access the same files (if authorized by the author) and view, comment, and even edit (if allowed). Nothing to have a lot of repeated worksheets with old versions and duplicate documents, one on each machine.
Did this concept of cloud computing surprise you? Well, know that this is just the tip of the iceberg of everything it can offer you!
Also check: Types of Cloud Computing in Business Environment
Let’s check out some other advantages of cloud computing and also explain a little better how it all works.
How the concept of cloud computing works?
Do not worry. Your company’s data and the information are not floating around, that’s not what they mean when they talk in the cloud.
In fact, giants of the information technology industry such as Google and Microsoft, just to name a few, have giant installations scattered around the world where they host your company’s files with complete security to prevent data loss or failure and access disruption.
You log in to these services with a password and you can save your files there, just as you do on your computer by dragging and dropping into a folder.
In most cases, there is an excellent search engine, an intuitive interface and easy to operate and saved files can be of the most varied formats and sizes.
But the advantages of cloud computing do not stop here!
There are applications in the cloud, called Software as a Service (SaaS), that you can use directly from the servers in the cloud, without having to install anything on your machine, check out:
The concept of cloud computing and software as a service
Imagine the example we gave about the software. Now, instead of buying software and installing on your company’s machines, using your own database and taking up huge space, think about doing it remotely.
The advantages are immense because all the employees who work with this will have access to a unified database, without duplication, with much fewer errors and can work from wherever they are.
Usually, these services are paid through a monthly subscription, but many of them offer a free version, for a limited time or with some functionalities less, totally free, is what is called Freemium service: “premium” quality for “free”.
Maybe you have not noticed it, but apps like Facebook, LinkedIn are Software as a Service.
Advantages of cloud computing
As you may have guessed, this concept of cloud computing only has advantages. Let’s list some of them so that you understand even better about this subject:
- Integration of teams, who can share and edit files together in a collaborative way.
- Mobility: Access files and applications wherever you are with various types of devices.
- Creativity and innovation: The more different opinions and diversity of ideas shared quickly, the better and more innovative results.
- Transparency: Information and documents are available to all those authorized for this and who need them.
- Agility and speed in information exchange.
- Security: The companies that provide cloud computing services follow the most stringent procedures and protocols on the market.
- Less costs: Nothing to have to buy huge servers for your data.
- There is no need to maintain systems and software.
- Automatic backups, no need to waste time on it.
- Updates are developed and made available automatically and without having to install them on each machine.
As you saw, the concept of cloud computing is here to stay. Today, more than a competitive advantage, cloud computing is the least expected of a modern enterprise that wants to make its processes more agile and efficient. This is a new way for entrepreneurs to approach Information Technology.
