What is Cloud Computing?

Mainframe Computing was the standard in the 1960’s. The cost for hardware and software was so expensive that only large corporations and governments could afford them. In the 1980’s Client/Server became the standard, enabling consumers to purchase computers and software at an affordable price point. Over the past 10 years, Cloud Computing has evolved to become the new standard, freeing both consumers and corporations from the dependency of managing hardware and software.

Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that’s often used to represent the Internet in flow charts and diagrams.

What it means for business owners?

Whereas mainframes we’re the 1960’s standard, Client/Server software was the 1980’s standard… the current standard is to access all of your web applications via a web browser.  Login and go.

No more software to install or upgrade.

No servers to buy or configure.

No more crashing databases or hard drives.

Add thousands of users with no additional investment of infrastructure and support personnel.

Pay only for what is used.

Access from anywhere with only an internet connection.