Cloud computing provides a simple way to access servers, storage, databases and a broad set of application services over the Internet. It's called cloud computing because the information being accessed is found in “the cloud” and does not require a user to be in a specific place to gain access to it. This type of system allows employees to work remotely. You can access as many resources as you need, almost instantly, and only pay for what you use. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure such as network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings. There are a few concepts about Cloud computing that we need to keep in mind.
Cloud Self Services On Demand Self Service
For example, if your IT team were to come under pressure to add or change software, platforms or infrastructure and make them available to your users, they should be able to make these additions instantly.
Ubiquitous Network Access
It is readily accessible for anyone with Internet access. You can access it anytime, from anywhere. This benefit is crucial to all aspects of your organization. All your team needs is an Internet connection and they can log in and use all their enterprise applications and systems, including all their data and resources from any location. This can be vital for remote workers, such as salespeople on the road who are trying to close that quarter-defining sale.
Location Transparent Resource Pooling
By pooling your resources in a cloud you can utilize your software, platforms, and infrastructure through shared services, allowing your users to get the most out of your assets. Pooling strategies include the likes of data storage services, processing services, and bandwidth provision services. This provides huge economies of scale for organizations and provides the means to really embrace the global office. As your workforce shuts down for the day on one side of the world, your team on the other side can get up and continue working on the same platforms, applications, and infrastructure. The cloud allows you to sweat your assets from anywhere.
Rapid Elasticity
The ability to auto-scale in the cloud eliminates much of the risk associated with scoping requirements for technology projects. With traditional environments on premise, if you under-scope the design for an environment and the demands on it prove higher than expected, you lose revenue. Conversely, if you over-scope and sales are lower than expected, you increase costs unnecessarily. The ability to scale your infrastructure at will allow you to design environments with a degree of confidence not available with traditional models.
Measured Pay per Use
Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service. In addition, this allows for a much more predictable and closely-controlled method of financial accounting, moving from Cap-Ex to Op-Ex budgeting.
A Cloud services platform such as Amazon Web Services owns and maintains the network-connected hardware required for these application services, while you provision and use what you need via a web application. Web-based email and Salesforce, an online sales management are examples of Software as a Service. Proper, consistent management of this service is the key to success. According to research conducted by business management consultant firm Forrester, the cloud computing market is anticipated to reach $ 191 billion by the year 2020.
