Youve surely heard the term cloud computing by now. Even parents and grandparents know they can use their iPhone to backup their family photos in the cloud, although they may not know exactly what that means.
In basic terms, cloud computing is the act of storing and accessing your data and programs over the internet, as opposed to a stand-alone desktop computers hard drive. While the term cloud computing is fairly new, the concept is not. People have been using cloud computing since the 1960s, even prior to the internet as we know it today.
With Salesforce.com making its debut in 1999, they delivered the first enterprise application over a basic website. It wasnt long before other companies would follow suit, and in 2002, Amazon Web Services was launched.
Why its called the cloud
Referring to this technology as the cloud is a genius marketing strategy that paints a picture in the users mind of an all-powerful network where data is accessible at all times, from all devices. Its much like a puffy, white cloud that hovers overhead and follows you wherever you go.
Cloud computing is important because it allows people to collaborate in real time from opposite ends of the world. Its also a practical way to make data available to people without overloading their personal computers resources.
Just ten years ago, if a person wanted to manage their daily schedule, look at their calendar, check their email, and private message their friends, they would have needed to open five separate programs on their computer. Having that many programs open at once would use all available RAM, slowing the computer down and causing programs to crash.
Today, more businesses are taking their popular software programs to the cloud including Basecamp, Slack, Facebook Messenger, and even Adobe. And because these programs are mostly accessed through webpages, users can access them all at once without placing any strain on their personal computer.
Moving software programs to the cloud has relieved the user of many burdens including having to download numerous pieces of software and install frequent updates. This move has also eliminated the proliferation of pirated software. With stand-alone software installations requiring a license key to function, people were too easily able to generate fake license keys. Software in the cloud is much more secure, requires authenticated logins, and utilizes more secure measures to verify the users identity.
With companies on the cutting edge of technology, cloud computing has also been able to solve problems for both businesses and consumers.
The cloud as a solution
Many businesses have used cloud computing to solve practical problems people face everyday.
One company has created a product called Aloha Restaurant Guard, which immediately sends all POS data to the cloud where its stored and analyzed for potential patterns that could indicate theft. An aerospace company uses the cloud to streamline and reduce their development timelines by performing simulations online, cutting the cost of physical prototyping.
Other practical problems businesses have solved with cloud computing include managing their teams scheduling and eliminating the hassle of having to rush down the block to plug a parking meter.
While all of these creative solutions solve many practical problems, there is one more huge problem cloud computing solves for peopledata loss and recovery.
Data recovery
Data loss can occur for many reasons including hard drive failure, natural disasters, and adverse weather like big storms.
With cloud computing, your entire server (including the operating system and applications) are encapsulated into a solitary bundle of software called a virtual server. This means if a storm hits and your data goes down, that bundle of software can be quickly employed on a virtual host within minutes.
Because the virtual server doesnt rely on hardware, the recovery time is far superior to traditional data restoration methods.
Cloud computing is a great way to simplify your life and regain control over your computers resources. But just because it solves some business problems doesnt mean it cant be fun, too. Yet another wonderful innovation in cloud computing is found in the gaming industry.
The possibilities are endless for this technology, and in the years to come, were sure to see even more innovative solutions from what we call cloud computing.
