Is Cloud Computing the next Phase of Computing Evolution?

Is Cloud Computing the next Phase of Computing Evolution? This document is about cloud computing and how the partner profiles and software application are virtualized and stored in a “cloud” i.e. Google Apps and Amazon EC2. Everything can be accessed via the Internet including the database.  It hasn’t been that long ago when traditional computing requires users to install software on their personal computer to run an application. The user then saves his or her files on that same computer or stores it in a separate storage unit like a diskette. The next step was the client-server network where a group of people can connect to their local server and share files with one another. Users can control peripherals not directly connected to their computer if the peripheral such as the printer, is connected to the network. Then the Internet came along and there had never been a more welcome invention since the TV. The Internet ushered in a revolution in communications, commerce, and the society in general. It gave birth to new ideas like e-mail, video conferencing, social networking and e-commerce. In the past few years, the hippest buzz word in the IT (Information Technology) industry had been “cloud computing”. What exactly is cloud computing? It is a new revolution in computing where partner profiles software application is virtualized and stored in a “cloud” i.e. Google Apps and Amazon EC2. Everything can be accessed via the Internet including the database. All the user needs is a high-speed Internet connection and a computing device like a laptop or a smart phone. No downloading, no installing, and no updating required; in other words, no fuss, no muss. What are its benefits? Portability – Since the application and database can be accessed on the Internet, the user can do his or her computing anywhere as long as there is Internet connection. Affordability – Some applications like Google Docs are free. You just have to sign up for a Google account which is also free. This is a great alternative to Microsoft Office which could cost you $199 per download or $279 for the box version. There are sites like Amazon EC2 that charge a minimal amount for subscription to their services. Collaboration – Colleagues from different parts of the world can collaborate on a project by sharing spreadsheets, documents, and files. Depending on their authorization or set credentials, co-workers can update their files in real time so the interaction is instant. In marketing, they use channel partner portals to bridge the gap between companies and their resellers. Maintenance-Free – Users of this computing option can sleep at night knowing that their database is safe and secure. Even if your computer gets burned down, your files are safe because they are stored in another server. Are there risks in this type of computing? The main concern for this form of computing is the security of the data you save on the cloud. You are after all dealing with the Internet, where nasty hackers and netizens with dubious motives abound. Consistency of service is also an issue, mainly for users with unreliable Internet connections. Google Docs has been known to freeze from time to time. Who uses this type of computing? Everybody. With Google Docs alone, a free software competing with the likes of Microsoft’s very expensive MSOffice, one can see the immediate benefits of web-based computing. Small businesses with simple computing needs only have to pay little or none at all to store their data on clouds. Channel partner portals and partner profiles are taking advantage of this web-based computing concept as people start to grasp its significance to their sales and marketing strategies. Cloud computing is just one of many innovations brought on by the Internet. But it’s certainly one of the most useful and significant tool meant for everyone. Or at least, everyone with a computer and Internet access. Is Cloud Computing the next Phase of Computing Evolution? - End