Technology

Cloud Computing is a new practice used in networking of computers where software and content s provided to computers that are connected to a net or a cloud. The information and resources are made available on demand meaning when the users demand it. This concept is the next stage of progression from main server to client - server. The main advantage is that common and frequently used business applications such as MS Word or MS Excel, etc. are available online and these can be accessed from anywhere without the application residing on the computer. When users have a need, they can use the Internet to access the applications. Many large firms such as IBM, Amazon, HP, Google and even Microsoft are providing cloud computing infrastructure. In this system a number of computer data centers are placed in a network and these would be having a collection of common software applications and information. Users can connect remotely to these data centers through the Internet and access the applications, carry out their tasks, browse content, send emails, etc. (Buyya, June 2009).

The advantages of using cloud computing are users do not have to own any of the infrastructures or make capital investment. Rather they can rent the equipment and software from vendors and providers of software and hardware. Users can also pay as per their use, rather like the utility model where people pay only for the electricity consumed. The usage costs are reduced, providers have an assured regular income and they do not have to invest excessively in servers but deploy servers as and where needed. Use of computers would also increase since the costs are very much reduced for the owners. Also, providers would strive to provide the latest in hardware and software technology and this would not only help users but also help to sustain the software developers (Wikipedia, 2010).

Other advantages available with cloud computing are increased agility, independence from device and location centralization, reliability, scalable and no maintenance required for the users. The systems are agile since they can be provisioned as and where required very quickly. By being location and device independent, it is possible to work with a mobile phone and access common applications. Since the software is centralized in data centers, it is possible to reduce costs of warehouse, office buildings and so on. The reliability is also improved since there are multiple data centers and if there is a problem with one centre or if there is more load on one centre, then connection is automatically shifted to another. Cloud computing is scalable since it can accommodate any number of users and removes the problem of peak load problems on the network. Maintenance is also zero for the users since they pay only for using the system (Nations, 2010).

There are some drawbacks since security is at a risk as service providers have direct access to what users are doing, their credit card user name and passwords and even confidential information that may be proprietary. Another is the cost factor and costs would be scalable, meaning that when more number of users is subscribed, the costs would be distributed. So ultimately, it is the economies of scale that decide on the survival. When a service provider goes bankrupt, the all work and confidential files of the customer would also be gone and this is would create a very serious problem (Buyya, 2009).