Cloud computing provides various IT services in the form of application to the end-user via the internet. Cloud technology is defined as a set of networks, hardware, services, interface and storage that are combined to deliver all aspects of cloud services. Some of the cloud services include infrastructure, delivery of software and virtual storage. Below we will look at the difference between cloud computing and cloud storage.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing entails the sharing of software with different computers over the network. That means the software does not necessarily need to be stored on the local machine. A good example is when a computer user wants to write a report but he has not installed Microsoft Word. The user can purchase Microsoft Word service through cloud computing from another computer on the network.
Cloud computing is comprised of four characteristics that include elasticity and being able to scale up and down, application programming interfaces, automatic de-provisioning and self-service provisioning, and finally the ability to offer metering and billing of service usage.
Cloud computing services have become popular because they are convenient and affordable. With cloud computing, you will be able to keep your contacts, email and calendar. This will also allow you to view your content, edit and share with other devices that you’re using.
Google Apps 2013 is one of the cloud computing services that allows the user to view, edit, create and collaborate any office style documents including spreadsheets, presentations and word processor docs. Photos can easily be managed at Picasa and videos can be shared and uploaded through Google Video.
Cloud Storage
Disasters can be as a result of human or natural causes, and can easily fry your computer. Some of these disasters include floods, fire or power surges, and all can destroy your precious files. Beyond these natural calamities, locally-stored data is faced by many other threats that include hard drive failure, accidental erasures and theft.
It’s hard to predict when and where the disaster will strike, but you can now store your data in the cloud through a storage management service. This data storage service will ensure that your files are safely stored and they can be retrieved anytime.
Cloud storage can provide unlimited storage at a flat rate fee. This means that the user can store a large number of files since the service will not cap his limit. Cloud storage provides some useful features that make it possible to share and upload files in an easy and convenient way. The service will provide offline syncing, folder sharing and file versioning.
How to Choose the Right Cloud Service for You
The movement towards the cloud has been gathering momentum of late. If your company is preparing to make this shift, finding a reputable cloud service provider is crucial in order to realize a successful transition. Many benefits associated with this transfer are widely accepted in the business industry.
A recent study has shown that 76% of the companies are expected to move to private cloud or public cloud. Most of these companies are concerned about the risk exposed to their business during the transition period. If you decide to shift to a cloud-based platform, you need to learn about this technology in depth. Do a thorough investigation by consulting with the existing users and researching online. The following are factors that will help you to choose the right cloud service.
You Need to Have the Right Network
Shifting to cloud technology could have an adverse effect on the company’s network. The effects on the network can include inability to access databases, applications and many other materials over the web. Therefore the company must plan to get a reliable and sufficient bandwidth to support the new mode of working.
Cloud technology is used by companies to store data files and deliver applications without using in-house servers. The efficiencies of this technology can easily be lost if the network is unreliable.
Can the Cloud Provider Offer the Right Support?
Technical challenges are likely to occur due to changes in business. A reputable provider should be able to solve your problem in a swift and efficient manner. A service level agreement will help you to understand who takes responsibility for the faults and how fast they can be fixed if they occur. You should bear in mind that the service level agreement should not be the standardized one. This is because all businesses are different and unique. That means every business has different service needs.
Cloud Security
When thinking about cloud deployment, the number one concern for most businesses is the security. Therefore it’s important to know who will be responsible for security, especially where confidential or sensitive data is concerned. Some service providers prefer leaving this to their customer. Cloud security is a very sensitive issue that needs to cover data center, devices and applications. This security should also cover compliance and governance issues, which should be sector or industry specific.
Check if the provider has a security policy suitable to your business. At the same time it should be compliant with the law.
Cloud Expertise
Your cloud provider should have the right technical expertise, industry accreditation and a long experience in the cloud industry. Look for service providers who have worked with similar companies like yours because they will know what can work and what can’t work. Remember to speak to other clients or check references.
There is definitely a lot for you to think about if you decide to shift your company IT infrastructure to the cloud. But the service provider you choose should be able to guide you, since it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed. Your partner should take you from network security and design, all the way to implementation of the project and maintenance. An experienced partner will help you identify aspects that you never thought of and also to create a cost-effective solution.
Top Cloud Storage Services
Cloud computing is becoming very popular in society, even for individuals. People are realizing the merits of going this direction. There are so many possibilities in the cloud and the most significant one is the ability to store files and data safely. This way, no matter where you are in the world, you can access your information as long as you are connected to the internet. Better yet, you can connect to your files using a smartphone. This saves a lot of time and money, making things easier.
All this has been made possible by cloud storage services. The following is a look at the top cloud services. It is also worth mentioning that many of the top storage services offer free storage and people who need bigger capacities or space can then purchase it.
Google Drive
This cloud storage service was launched in 2012 and it is a great way to organize your files in the cloud. Here, you have a chance to share and store spreadsheets, documents, files; the list is long. You can do this in a completely safe manner. Your online file storage is very secure. It is also versatile because you can edit your documents as you desire. The best thing is that you can do this together with your workmates.
To begin with, you will have 5GB space to do all your stuff and you can increase your capacity as you wish; the maximum space being 10GB. Chrome, Android, Apple and Mac devices are all supported by this cloud storage service from Google.
Dropbox
This is one of the most popular cloud storage services and it was launched in 2007. It is a great place to store your files and photos as you like. Share all your documents with your friends as well. To start off, you will have a space of about 2GB and upon successful referral to others, you can increase your space. It is a free service that has gained a lot of popularity in the market. For PC, Mac, Android and more, you will be in a position to use Dropbox without any hassle. Here, you can upload many files without any limit. You will find both desktop and mobile applications.
Microsoft SkyDrive
This is yet another cloud storage service that is provided by Microsoft. It makes file hosting possible with an initial space of about 7GB. You can store unlimited files and if you need any additional space, you can consider a paid plan as desired. Here, you can expect to find office applications like Excel, Word, One Note, PowerPoint and more. Within a browser, you can create, edit and share documents as you desire without others.
There are many options when it comes to cloud storage services. The great news is that you can use these platforms free of charge. It is a chance to see how well you can integrate your business or work to the cloud. If you are pleased, you can roll out a bigger capacity and purchasing plans will be well in order. There is no question that this is the future of the internet. It makes work much easier and saves you lots of time, money and heartache.
