Cloud computing is a method of computing that relies on shared computing resources rather than local or individual computing resources. These resources are typically hosted in a professionally-managed data center with sufficient capability to service hundreds, thousands, or more users simultaneously. The set of resources includes hardware, such as servers, storage, networking equipment, and security equipment, and software, such as databases, middleware, Web sites, and custom business applications. Together, the resources are known as a “cloud.”
Clouds are based on an architecture called “multi-tenancy.” Instead of installing one copy of a given application for each customer that uses it, there is one application that everyone shares that can usually be quickly customized for each new customer when an account is set up. This is in contrast to traditional software, remote desktop emulation (e.g., Terminal Services, Citrix, RDP/Remote Desktop, etc.), and virtualization (e.g., VMWare, etc.), which all rely on installing one copy of a given application per customer, and, as such, require significantly more hardware, configuration, and maintenance.
Custom business applications in a cloud are most often accessed via the Web or Web services. The Web is used to access the applications from a Web browser, and the Web services support system-to-system interoperability over a network, often the Internet.
Packaging hardware, network, software, and business applications together into a cloud solves the most difficult aspects of delivering software solutions across an enterprise. It hides and overcomes many technical complexities from the company and its users so that they don’t have to worry about them. Clouds are usually more scalable, secure, and reliable than traditional solutions, in addition to reducing hardware, networking, and licensing costs. To get started using a cloud, you simply connect to the Internet and log in. This shortens the time to get started using the service, and costs less.
Getting Ahead with Clouds
There are lots of ways to get ahead with clouds in your industry. Cost savings over traditional solutions are an excellent start. New operations can get up to speed very quickly with very little upfront investment, existing operations can migrate into a cloud to eliminate costs, and all operations and can pin ongoing costs to their growth (or shrinkage).
Multi-site and distributed operations can use the shared data model common in clouds to make data available in real-time to all users in all locations. Data can be filtered on a per-user or per-site basis for security, when necessary.
End-customer Web sites can be integrated quickly and easily with the cloud via the cloud’s Web services, allowing customers real-time ability to search inventory, book reservations, make payments, and do anything else the cloud supports that you want them to be able to do.
A cloud’s Web services can interoperate with third-party systems, helping companies improve efficiency and better service its customers.
Conclusion
The whole world is moving to clouds, and has been, largely without realizing it, for about the last ten years. Web 2.0 technologies and SaaS offerings naturally fit into clouds, and increasingly will be delivered from better and better clouds.
There are a few powerful cloud offerings out there already. OSI offers a suite of applications in its cloud environment. These applications are quick and easy to evaluate. Looking at them will give you your own ideas about what clouds can do for you and how you can get ahead of the competition in your industry. Get your head in the clouds, and you could get ahead in the clouds!