4 Fundamentals for Cloud Computing
“The Cloud” is a term most people cannot clearly define, which is why the term is usually accompanied by questions like “What is The Cloud?” and “How can The Cloud benefit my business?” and “What Cloud services are right for me and my business?”
Here is a beginner’s guide to The Cloud to help answer a few of those questions:
1. What exactly is The Cloud?
The Cloud is not actually a physical thing, but a network of servers where each server executes a different job or function. Some servers use computing power to “deliver a service” or run applications.
For example, Adobe provides its creative services via the Adobe Creative Cloud. Instead of having consumers to purchase the Creative Suite in a box set, Adobe has made it so everyone can access Adobe products through a monthly online subscription.
You can also think of Instagram and Dropbox as a Cloud, because your photos are not being saved on an internal drive or device.
2. What financial benefits come with working in The Cloud?
To “move to The Cloud” is oftentimes a financially motivated business decision. By using The Cloud, companies eliminate the need to buy their own hardware equipment. With The Cloud, companies are only required to pay for what they use.
The Cloud also promotes collaboration. Because work can be accessed anywhere at any time, your team is able to share and collaborate easier than ever before.
3. Exactly how big is The Cloud?
There is not a set size for cloud-based services such as Amazon, Facebook, or Google, but according to this infographic, The Cloud can roughly store about one Exabyte – which is basically the data storage equivalent of 4.2 million MacBook Pro computers.
4. Is The Cloud secure?
Like anything else computer related, it is always good to have a backup. If you’re worried about your files getting lost, then you should invest in an external hard drive or flash drive.
