People have heard the word ‘cloud’ used in different ways. Many of the uses refer to beauty, nature, or something similar. But in the 21st century the term has a very different meaning, one that might have a direct impact on the way you do business or communicate with others.
Just what is this cloud, the one that a lot of business people, computer specialists and others have been talking about recently? While a person could spend hours understanding the details on how the concept works, it is possible to make great use of the cloud with just a small amount of basic knowledge.
It Is the Internet and More
For several decades, people all over the world have used what is now called the Internet to communicate, share information, and sell products. Those are just a few of the many, many uses for this remarkable global network. The idea of the cloud comes when one considers all the data and photos that people have access to.
For many years, people stored much of their data, email, photos and more on discs or on a computer hard drive. It was common to search for something on the Internet and gather information. But, for the most part, people kept the information close at hand. This changed as more people became comfortable with having their business files, personal photos, advertising, and documents stored somewhere other than on their own equipment.
All that information is on a server, which is a computer that is usually dedicated to the purpose of storing files and having them available for access from another computer. This server has a lot of storage capability, so that it can be used to handle all the files in a company. Employees can then access that information from their workspaces.
A server holds files, data, programmes, and more, all of which can be accessed by remote computers. This is where the idea of a cloud comes into play. Your email messages can be stored on a server maintained by the company providing the service. That is just one example of how the cloud works. Remote access at all times is the bottom line.
Cloud Hosting
That, in basic terms, is the cloud. All of the information is ‘up there’ or ‘out there’ as opposed to being on your desktop. A number of companies are now offering cloud hosting, which puts the strength of several computers in play, having them work as one. The primary benefit of this arrangement is that security and accessibility are supported by multiple servers. Resources work together to increase available storage space, removing some of the limits to growth.
In addition to the obvious expansion of available storage, this hosting process ensures that there is no one location that, upon failure, would shut down access. Costs can also be spread across a number of servers, in a unique sharing programme. With some of the leading suppliers, websites of all sizes will benefit because all sites in this particular network share the economy of scale.
Specialists in this type of hosting generally offer a range of specific packages thatwill fit almost any business goal or project that relies heavily on the web. Cloud servers can work with Linux or Windows, with round the clock tech support and a guarantee that the network will be available 100 percent of the time.
The top suppliers in this field of expertise can also offer you a private cloud, that is essentially set up just for a single business. This arrangement with an expert supplier includes a core network. Of course, technical support is there every day, 24 hours each day. Companies also offer combination or hybrid packages that are hosted by two distinct data locations and offer unlimited bandwidth.
How to Choose
The correct choice of a reliable, professional host in the cloud can mean efficient movement of business files and data, and round the clock access without interruption. When the decision has been made and you sit down with the expert, be prepared to ask the important questions, so that the needs of your business are very clear. Only then can you begin to work with your hosting partner to come up with the right solution for your enterprise.
Be sure that the supplier you choose is flexible enough to work with your particular business, regardless of its size. But as you plan your use of the cloud through this special type of hosting, make sure that the costs are right for the benefits you will receive. Satisfy yourself and your staff that the technology being used will be very reliable. There may be times when business success depends absolutely on the performance of the supplier’s servers.
Why would you choose a particular hosting service over another? Cost can always be a significant factor, and as mentioned earlier, the benefits from committing to the cloud should more than equal the costs of doing so. Insist on a supplier that makes every effort to use the latest technology, and achieves that goal. Find a host service that has strong working relationships with the leading hardware and software companies. Ask about the security of your data.
The technology that makes the cloud possible is changing and improving all the time. One of the benefits of new research and technology is the ability of suppliers to offer increased storage without causing any negative change in the experience of users. For the leaders in this field, the latest in cache technology is the key to setting high standards and living by them.
The cloud is computer servers accessed from remote locations, in a true example of the strength in numbers. But with speed and enhanced storage space must come reliability. A business will thrive if it has uninterrupted access to information, if managers and employees can get to and use the files and data that make the business run on a daily basis.
