Just what exactly can Cloud Computing do for a business?
When the phrase Cloud Computing is mentioned to most people, the first thing that springs to mind is the ability to store files online – the actual final storage location of this data can commonly be referred to as The Cloud. However, this form of computing is capable of much more than backups and storage, and many businesses also take advantage of the processing power of computers at a remote location. In terms of costs, most providers of cloud-based services offer both short and long-term solutions, and this means that the extra resources can simply be utilised when they are necessary.
Cloud Storage has two major draws for businesses. First of all, it provides an online file backup solution that keeps data safe and secure, and it can be accessed in the worst-case scenario of a total loss of data in an office environment. Naturally, this type of solution is only as good as the last backup that was made, and it is therefore advisable to perform a thorough backup of data on a regular basis. In an ever-widening global economy, cloud-based file storage also allows employees to access the same data in any location that has Internet access, and this is especially helpful when transferring large files. Taking a 1GB file as an example, this would be difficult to send via traditional means due to variable upload/download speeds, and cloud-storage would enable the file to be uploaded once and downloaded multiple times.
Processing power that is based in The Cloud allows individuals to manipulate data at speeds that may be far superior to their own equipment. If a company has HD video files as an example that need to be processed for various types of broadcasting, it may be more cost-effective to use online-based processing services than a one-time large investment in dedicated machinery – Bitcoin mining is also currently an activity that is starting to realise the potential of Cloud-based processing power. Although any computers and servers of this nature will have a physical presence, the fact that their abilities can be accessed from anywhere in the world allows them to be labelled as a part of The Cloud.
