Cloud Computing Explained
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Rama Krishna Vadlamudi,
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Cloud computing
is a new internet-based technology where data is outsourced and stored in a
secure environment (cloud). The new technology is provided as an online service
to customers who pay for the service either by subscription or on demand.
Cloud computing
refers to shared computing resources, storing data on a virtual platform rather
than on an individual hard drive. The term ‘cloud computing’ was popularised in
2006 by Eric Schmidt, Google’s Executive Chairman.
Cloud computing
helps reduce costs, both capital and operating, through economies of scale. The
main concerns about cloud computing are data security and privacy.
The users of
this new technology need to have adequate bandwidth to remain connected to the
cloud, where the data is stored.
The cloud users
are connected through a network to servers (where the users’ data is stored)
kept in the cloud by cloud service providers. The network can be a public
network (internet) or a private network (dedicated lines).
The
infrastructure for the cloud will be provided by the cloud service provider.
Examples of cloud service provider are IBM, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and
others. Some Indian companies that provide such services are TCS, Infosys and
Wipro.
Apple Inc has
recently announced introduction of its cloud computing services called iCloud
for users of iPod, iPhone, iPad and others. iCloud stores customers’ music,
photos, documents, books, mails, etc.
Cloud computing
has taken the information technology services by storm around the world. In a
cloud computing scenario, a company can actually move its core data and other
programmes that operate on such data from private machines such as personal
computers or corporate servers to servers owned and operated by vendors.
Cloud user
companies can access these services and work from anywhere in the world. User companies
will not store their data with them and instead use the servers managed by cloud
service providers or vendors.
As such,
companies need to choose the vendors or service providers extremely carefully;
otherwise there are chances of losing valuable and important data. Overall,
cloud computing has its merits and demerits and users need to assess their own
needs before going for it.
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Note on author: Author is an investment
analyst and writer. The views are personal and this is written only for
information purpose.
Author’s articles on financial articles can be
accessed at:
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