1. What is Cloud Computing?
An insight into cloud computing.

2. What is Cloud Computing?
There are many different
definitions to what cloud
computing is. In its simplest
terms cloud computing can
be defined as IT services
delivered over the internet.

3. Facts on Cloud Computing
The origin of the term cloud computing is obscure, but it appears
to derive from the practice of using drawings of stylised clouds
to denote networks in diagrams of computing and
communications systems.
The internet in diagrams and IT schematics has been
represented by a cloud since 1994.
The three forms of Cloud Computing:
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

4. Software as a Service (SaaS)
The most popular of these at the moment is Software-as-a-Service
(SaaS), this due to the rise of organisations such as Salesforce.com and
services such as Google Apps.
SaaS has become very popular due to the pricing models that are
available to companies which make it a lot cheaper for organisations to
have a particular piece of software. The initial set up fee is a lot lower
so the barriers to entry are much lower. The pricing models tend to be
on subscription basis per a user, so you only pay for what you use.
Customer Relationship (CRM) is one of the most popular types of SaaS.
This is because it can be accessed from anywhere simply by users
logging into a system via the Internet.

5. How Does Cloud Computing work?

6. The top 5 benefits of cloud
computing
Reduced Capital Expenditure – there is no need to spend on hardware
or software licence fees
IT requirements are managed by a third party, therefore there is no
need added cost of hiring an IT consultant or paying for IT support
Improved accessibility – You can login anywhere anytime from a
machine that has the internet. This highly beneficial for global
companies that have staff all around the world
Reduced costs and overall spending on technology- no need to pay for
updates and licence fees as these come as part of the package
Increased flexibility – if for some reason a software no longer meets
the businesses needs you have option to change as you are not
committed to using the software

7. The benefits of cloud computing for
small business
Cloud computing creates a level playing field for
smaller businesses. Cloud computing means that
small companies have access to the same
software as larger businesses. For example they
can grow their business by using the same CRM
systems that major businesses use
Reduced overhead costs - there is no need to
spend money on expensive servers as data such
as email and files can stored on the cloud

8. Working with 3rd parties – Small businesses can share data and
information much easier with external employees and partners
through the cloud. This means that they can work with a wider range
of people and organisations such as external consultants and
specialists
Remote workers – Small businesses can
reduce the cost of office space and can
easily take on remote workers who can
access data from anywhere. This gives
employers a lot more flexibility when hiring
staff as well as reducing the need to have
bigger offices

9. Can using the cloud save you money?
Using the cloud will save you money in terms of reduced energy
costs of running a server and overall capital expenditure
It will also save money in terms of software upgrades and will
mean that your business only pays for what it uses. For example
the cost of upgrades is a shared cost with other businesses that
are also using the service
It will also reduce the need for hiring external IT consultants, as
most SaaS companies have their own internal experts who can
manage the software and provide support when required

10. The cloud can be a great way of
managing your IT requirements and
reducing costs. Though it must be
remembered that you are relying on
external organisations to manage
your IT infrastructure and your
company data. You should ensure
that you back up all data in a
separate location to ensure that your
business has a copy of the data. This
will not only give you piece of mind,
but also means that the data is still
accessible in some form if your
service provider is down.