Cloud computing is the delivery of hosted services to users over the internet, meaning that users can access such services regardless of geographical location. Cloud computing offers users tools and applications such as data storage, databases, servers and software. Meaning users can work on files that can be shared in real-time with their peers. Allowing for a greater level of collaboration among teams regardless of their geographical location.
Cloud-based computing can also be a great asset for team members who work in the same office or location, as a file can be created that outlines goals and targets to be met; after each commitment is met team members can mark it as done on a shared file, enabling decision makers in teams to understand the progress that has been made and take action if needed to improve productivity.
In addition to live files users can also seamlessly send and receive documents and add comments on files that allow for a greater level of understanding between team members.
Cloud computing also allows users to store files on a shared drive that everyone on the team has access to, even if team members are not using their regular computer they can access shared drives on other computers as long as they have the required login details.
By storing important files on both physical hardware drives and on the cloud you are helping to ensure that you will have an accessible copy if either of the storage methods are compromised. If your organisation suffers from financial fraud you should contact Investment Fraud Attorneys, who will be able to help maximise the chances of getting your money back.
History Of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing as a term first came into usage in the early 2000s, but early examples of what we now call cloud computing date as far back as the 1960s with the launch of ARPANET. This was an early version of the internet that allowed users to access information and applications from remote computers. This provided the fundamental idea for advancements to come in later years, in the 1980’s companies began being able to connect their internal telecommunication networks to external providers; further improving integration and collaboration between different companies. Ever since the capabilities of cloud computing continue to become more sophisticated and helpful to businesses around the world.
Benefits Of Cloud Computing
Scalability And Flexibility
Before the inception of cloud computing, businesses would have had to invest significantly in their computing systems to ensure that staff had all the resources that they needed. This meant ensuring that their servers and digital storage space were enough to satisfy demand,
it is very costly for businesses to upgrade their computing hardware and it uses funds that could be used on other areas of the business. If such systems are not able to satisfy demand it may cause the company website to crash or there not be enough hard drive space for employees to carry on working on digital projects.
When the cloud was implemented it changed the game and allowed businesses and individuals to scale beyond the confines of their digital infrastructure, cloud computing enables businesses to achieve increased computing power, storage capacity and network resources in real-time. Businesses can purchase or sign up for subscriptions that can increase these resources for as long as the business needs them, if the business no longer needs such resources they can cancel their subscription to certain services and restart when needed.
Cost Savings And Reduced Overheads
Implementation of cloud computing within businesses meant that businesses could spend less on their computing infrastructure. Previously businesses would have had to periodically update their computing infrastructure, which has always been extremely costly. Additionally, businesses will have to invest financial resources to ensure that they have experts on hand to handle maintenance and troubleshooting. Regardless if companies had an inhouse computer technician or contracted external expertise it would have still cost businesses money to maintain technical resources within the business. When businesses rely less on their digital infrastructure they inevitably spend less on the upkeep of such infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence And Big Data Analytics
For businesses to more accurately understand the markets they are in it is beneficial for them to collect big data; this involves businesses collecting terabytes of data about consumers, market trends, sales performance and a range of other helpful metrics. Processing and analysing this data requires significant processing power, which traditionally would have meant that companies would have to invest significantly in their computing infrastructure; but with cloud computing businesses can pay as they go for digital resources they need. They can purchase subscriptions for limited amounts of time, giving businesses considerable technical power only when they are needed which allows businesses to cut costs the rest of the time. What The Future Holds For Cloud Computing
Internet of Things (IoT)
Over the past decade, the Internet of Things has grown exponentially with an increased amount of devices connecting to the Internet. This increases the need for reliable and scalable cloud infrastructure as internet-connected devices collect information over time and upload it onto the cloud. Examples of Internet of Things devices include:
- Smart Speakers: Smart speakers have become very popular over the past 5 years as they offer users hands-free functionality to perform a range of tasks such as playing music, reading the weather and even turning on or off lights and home heating systems.
- Smart TVs: Modern TVs usually have internet connectivity these days allowing users to access internet streaming services. While the user does this the TV sends usage data to the TV’s manufacturer and to the companies of apps they access whilst using the TV.
- Smart Thermostat: Smart thermostats allow you to adjust the heating settings in your home remotely from another location.
- Wearable Fitness Trackers: Wristbands that track your movement have become popular, they can tell you how many steps you have taken in a day or can tell you how fast you ran certain distances.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence or AI has become a hot topic recently with the introduction of ChatGBT, for artificial intelligence to work they need access to big data analytics to allow them to search for patterns that otherwise would have been missed. This can allow businesses to capitalise upon such information and expand into different markets or tweak their products or services to better match customer demand. Cloud-based AI systems can learn and improve over time, which makes them increasingly effective over time at processing data. This will only expand their use case to be used in ways that may not have been considered previously.
Edge Computing
Edge computing is an emerging computer paradigm that focuses on networks and devices processing data on a local basis to the user instead of processing the data elsewhere on the cloud. This can provide a myriad of benefits including:
- Improved Security: Edge computing allows users to filter sensitive information at the source, instead of sending it out to a central data center. Since you are limiting the amount of sensitive data that leaves your organisation your overall data security is improved.
- Reduced Latency: Due to the fact servers are more localised it means that there is less distance for information to travel, which leads to a reduction in latency which reduces lag that websites may experience.
- Edge Computing Is Often Cheaper Than The Cloud: Most businesses will see cost savings when switching over their operations to edge computing.
Conclusion
Cloud computing is an incredible innovation that shows no signs of slowing down in the future, if anything advancements may happen at a more rapid pace over time.
