Cloud computing is an internet technology that utilizes both central remote servers and internet to manage the data and applications. This technology allows many businesses and users to use the data and application without an installation. Users and businesses can access the information and files at any computer system having an internet connection. Cloud computing provides much more effective computing by centralized memory, processing, storage and bandwidth.
Description
The most simple and understandable example of cloud application are gmail and yahoo application. You do not need to have a software and server to access these applications. All you need to have an internet connection and can start browsing web pages and sending emails. E-mail management software and the server are basically on the internet (cloud) and completely maintained by various internet service providers. The user can use the application alone and can enjoy its benefits.
The concept of all cloud computing applications is based on the analogy-‘If you need milk, would you buy a cow’. If a user gets the benefits (milk), why would a he buy a software (cow) or hardware? The process of this technology is broken down into three segments. Platform, Applications and Infrastructure are three segments of this technology. Each part serves many functions and provides applications for both individuals and businesses all around the world. According to a research in June 2009, 41 % of the senior Information Technology professionals don’t even know what actually cloud computing is and its benefits.
Segments
Applications- On Demand
As far as I am concerned, application segment is the only part of internet technology that has been proved as a useful business model. By accessing many business and individual applications all over the cloud from the central server, most of the businesses can cut some very serious costs. On the other side, on demand applications come in dissimilar varieties of pricing schemes and how the internet applications are delivered to the customers.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is the backbone of the whole concept of this technology. All infrastructure vendors allow users to make their own cloud applications. Amazon’s S3 is considered as a segment of the infrastructure segment.
Platform
Most of the companies, who are providing several on demand services and applications, have been developed three platform services. These are Infrastructure As a Service, Platform As a Service and Software As a Service.
All these characteristics and benefits of this technology are the need for the businesses and individuals who are looking for dropping the cost.