Cloud Computing

Most people have a vague idea of what the term ‘cloud computing’ or the ‘cloud’ refers to when used in reference to the Internet. To many it is seen as a new technological advancement in the realm of the Internet or a new form of doing things online without realizing that the average Internet user has used and has been using some form of cloud computing for a long time. 

So, what is it that Cloud Computing actually means?

In the most basic of answers, we can say that cloud computing is simply using the Internet to store and access data and programs without the need to use your computer’s hard drive. Put another way, instead of using your local computer’s hardware and/or software, you are given access through the Internet by another company to their hardware/software as a service. Where that hardware/software you are given access to is located, is referred to as the cloud.

An easy way to illustrate our use of cloud computing is e-mail. Everybody uses some form of an e-mail account like G mail, Hot mail and so on. All our emails are stored in the cloud and can be accessed anytime and from anywhere there is an Internet connection. Another good example of a pure cloud computing service is Google drive, which allows the user to create, edit and save documents in the cloud and also allows for sharing of these documents with other users to edit and work on collaboratively. 

How can the cloud affect our day to day life?

There is an inevitable increase in our consumption of cloud computing services, both on the business side and for the average consumer. In fact, Market Research Media forecasts that the global cloud computing market is expected to grow at 30% reaching $270 billion by 2020 (Market Research Media, 2014). 

Since it doesn't require any effort on the part of the user in terms of maintenance or management and is accessible from anywhere and from any device that can access the Internet, the potential applications of cloud computing are limitless. The constant connectivity plus the cloud carrying your personal information and preferences would allow you access to customized information anywhere you are that would alter your decision making and provide for a much more efficient and convenient way of life. 

An idea of what I mean by that can be illustrated in the video below created by FW: Thinking.

  

References

- Market Research Media. (2014, January 8). marketresearchmedia. Retrieved from marketresearchmedia.com: http://www.marketresearchmedia.com/?p=839