If the new technologies have contributed to aggrandize computer advances, the new concept of the cloud computing, has meant a great change in the transmission and storage of data. Currently, many users and companies use it, but what is the cloud computing?
The concept of cloud technology began in the sixties by JCR Licklider in order to reach all stored data from anywhere. Later, John McCarthy coined the term “computing as a public service.”
However, the concept of the cloud computing was not widely developed until the late 1990s with the help of broadband internet.
What is cloud computing?
The cloud computing is not a product. It is a mode of transmission and storage of data. It is a paradigm that allows universal, practical access to the demand for a shared network and a set of configurable computer sources (such as networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be provisioned and released with a minimum of administration .
This computer service, which works through the Internet, aims to be able to use computer resources without having them, as well as to have them at any time and place that has access to the Internet.
Currently, most personal information that is used daily is kept in the cloud computing. For example: Facebook, Windows Azure, Dropbox, etc …
How does the cloud computing?
The cloud stores data in a very similar way to email. Instead of storing this data on a computer or computing device, this data is stored in the cloud using cloud technology. This technology is possible thanks to the appearance of very powerful and economical storage equipment. For example, 1Gb would cost the same as 1000Gb. In this way, it is not necessary to store the data in the computer through the cloud computing since they are stored in the external server.
What are the benefits of cloud computing?
One of the main advantages of this revolutionary server is the security implied by the data warehouse it proposes. If instead of storing data on computers or phones, the data is stored in the cloud computing, the loss of documents in case of breakdown or loss of computer devices will be avoided. It will also allow to keep the stored data in the case of changing terminals, for example, if we changed from a Mac to an Xbox or an Iphone. However, the main advantage is not limited only to the data warehouse.
Cloud computing also allows access to communication and business solutions over the Internet. These are the so-called “logical-services”. Some examples are accounting logics, billing books, Amazon and the well-known Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint).
In summary, instead of buying software or downloading it to the computer, you can find a cloud provider and use these services. Therefore, in small companies, it would imply great advantages since it would allow to launch a service without any investment in hardware.
On the other hand, it would be a great advance in what the economies of scale with economic impact suppose. For example, computer resources that are not being used by Spanish companies at night, may be used by companies on the other side of the world (for example, Australia). By way of comparison, it would be like a factory that would work 24 hours a day and whose resources are shared.
However, the cloud computing is not without problems and, among them, the most feared would be the possible intrusion into the confidential information of companies and private identity theft.
In conclusion, the cloud computing is an economic revolution rather than technological. It is not limited solely to data storage. The main advantages of this new type of computing are feasible as long as the user has access to the data from anywhere in the world and at any time.
