What is Cloud Computing?

There are many different ways to describe and utilize Cloud Computing, many different ways to implement Cloud Computing, and many different ways to either benefit or be hindered by Cloud Computing for your technology needs.

Cloud Computing History has Already Been Written

Essentially, Cloud Computing is a beneficial throwback to earlier days of technology; there was a time when large computers were housed in data centers and only keyboards and monitors were used to tap into the vast power of the data center. It was the only way to use a computer unless you had your own data center.

The “Personal Computer”; Your Own Private Cloud Computing Environment

Then along came personal computers which allowed enough computer power, the operating system, and the applications so that one could own and use a computer at any time for a reasonable cost. What could be purchased off-the-shelf immediately made its way into the business environment (and vice-versa)

The Cloud Computing Environments Inevitably Combined and Overlapped

This led to actual Servers and Data Centers to be affordable to businesses (first large. then as time marched on - ultimately small businesses). The benefits of your own data center were quite valuable – sharing files, purchasing relatively inexpensive servers to house and manage email, amalgamating all computers in your business to use one Internet connection (when of course the Internet became a viable, stable means of communication).

Complexity Killed the Private Cloud Computing Environment

However, the cost of the servers, workstations, operating systems, application went down – the complexity went up. There was, and is, more available to businesses for line-of-business applications, a growing dependence on the uptime, upkeep, backup, disaster recovery, and the need to get your information at any time (from any place) you desire.

With this dependence on technology, the hardware may have become less expensive but the people, time, number of options for software/hardware, and the general upkeep has, and will, continue to grow.

Automation is simply less expensive over the long-run if done correctly. Businesses fight for this efficiency and the technology wheel continues to turn and hence churn-out invoices.

Further Technology Allowed the Jump to True Cloud Computing Environments

That Technological Jump is Virtualization

Cloud Computing is a step towards an amalgamation of the fundamental necessities of a Computer Network System in an effort to share in the benefits and costs without sacrifice, only further benefits. When these necessities are shared in any fashion, there is a cost savings.

Virtualization made this all possible with Multi-Tenant Technology.

It is important to note that most companies, through my 18 years of experience in the small and medium sized business technology industry, RARELY have the necessities of a properly built network; including but not limited to internal/perimeter security, backup/disaster plans, proper proactive management, finding/working with proper vendors, or even properly set-up, centrally managed virus protection.

It’s the cost that keeps these fundamentals out of the reach of small and medium sized businesses. It costs thousands of dollars per month just to have a consultant that’s dedicated their business life to the proper set-up and use of a small and mid sized business technology world. And these costs don’t include the on-going effort it takes to have such a person be a part of critical business decisions to stay ahead of the competition.

What Makes Cloud Computing Possible?

Cloud Computing, through a technology known as Virtualization couple with Multi-Tenant Technology touched on above, moves hardware, software, power, security, uptime, backup/disaster recovery, and a myriad of other ancillary items to its own place within a larger computing environment where all of these things are either non-issues or dealt with in a way that hundreds of companies benefit from the expensive work, technology, stability, and data centers all in an effort to share in the benefits and the costs. Like a gym membership with everything you could need and that which is specific to you in a secure locker of a size you determine for you and your employees.

The above could simply be said that the cable from your desktop to your server environment simply lengthened. You no longer connect to expensive equipment you must constantly maintain, manage, and upgrade.

How do I Begin with Cloud Computing?

Tips on Finding the Right Could Computing Environment