Everything You Need to Know About the Cloud
You’ve heard about the Cloud, but what is it exactly? And how you can use it to your advantage? We explain all the ‘need to knows’ about this tech innovation!
So, how do you define cloud computing?
According to Google, the actual definition of cloud computing is this:
The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
Basically, ‘the Cloud’ refers to all kinds of services in which the data and files are stored on remote servers that are delivered to the customer via the internet rather than on your personal computer. If you have a smartphone, tablet or almost any other modern device then you would have most likely experienced the Cloud without even realising it. Applications such as Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive are all cloud-based, and it would be a fair assumption to believe that you are using or have previously used one of their applications. See, cloud services aren’t so scary, are they!
Still confused as to how cloud computing could help you? Once you fully understand the perks of using the Cloud, you won’t be able to give it up!
When you store data in the Cloud, it becomes encrypted (so it can’t be viewed by any peeping Toms) and you can gain access to it via an internet connection. The Cloud offers a particularly convenient way of storing data because it allows you to get your hands on that data absolutely anywhere and from any device, making it extremely suitable for business teams that need to work together but are on the road a lot.
Why SMEs around the world should embrace the Cloud
Cloud-based tools are perfect for SMEs. This kind of flexible technology was once only available to large corporations with extensive budgets, but the Cloud has allowed for small businesses to get in on the action by enabling them access to advanced applications at affordable rates.
It’s becoming more and more vital for SMEs to invest in technology that is going to help them stay ahead, or at the very least, keep up with their competition. There are many cloud applications available to help businesses grow and become more technologically streamlined, maximising productivity and improving business processes. Companies can start with basic cloud-based tools that are popular amongst individual users; then, when they’ve got to grips with them, they can venture into using cloud apps that are a little more complex and offer customised benefits for companies within their particular sector. Not all cloud apps are as helpful for one person as they are for the next, so it’s crucial that decision makers find applications that are right for their business and their IT setup.
If you are a business owner, or the decision maker in your company, entering into the Cloud can seem a little daunting. Although the concept of cloud computing has been evolving for a good few years now, cloud apps have only recently taken off on a huge scale, leaving luddites struggling to get to grips with all the different terms and acronyms littered throughout the web.
