Computing in the Cloud | Do I have to take a flight to do this?

A real buzz phrase in the computing world is "cloud computing". So what is the magical form of computing which only takes place in the sky? Well sadly, it isn't that magical. Cloud computing is basically when you use computer solutions that are accessed over the Internet. Instead of launching Microsoft Word on your computer, you would go to a website and create your Word document within your Internet browser (which is normally something like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome).

What services are available in the cloud?

You can use cloud computing for any number of solutions. The most common solutions which spring to mind though are hosting your email, running applications such as word processors or spreadsheets within a web browser and taking advantage of virtualisation to run remote desktop sessions on powerful computers.

To help you understand exactly what cloud computing entails, here are some examples of cloud computing solutions:

Google Mail to host your email services

Google Mail allows you to use their mail servers and services to host your own email domain. For example your business email domain (the bit after the @ symbol within your email address) might be joebloggs.com. Rather than purchasing your own mail server you could use Google to look after your email. You can then access your email using an email client such as Microsoft Outlook or by using their web mail.

Zoho office applications to produce office documents

Using Zoho you can create office documents (like you would do with Microsoft Word or Excel) within your web browser. You basically log into their website and from there you can create and store documents using their services. Some people will be able to use these services without a problem, whereas others will struggle to make the move across.

Remote Desktop or Virtual Desktop | An alternative to replacing your old computer

If your old computer is struggling along and isn't up to dealing with the demands of new software, there is an alternative to replacing your computer. You could use a virtual desktop. A virtual desktop is where you log into another computer which is hosted on the Internet. Within this environment you essentially have another desktop where you can install software, create and store documents and surf the Internet.

What are the benefits of computing in the cloud?

• You can use any computer with an Internet connection to access your applications and files

• In some cases you obtain access to the latest available software

• Some solutions are completely free!!

What are the drawbacks of computing in the cloud?

• If you don't have a connection to the Internet, you might not be able to do any work

• You're dependant on another business for your business data, if they go bust, so might you

• In some cases, it can be more expensive then having your computer and software

In conclusion to cloud computing, what is our opinion?

Overall we aren't massive fans of cloud computing. The fact that you become dependant on another business (sometimes a business outside the UK) to run your own business doesn't sit easy with us. Some of the subscription based services also work out much more expensive than having your own computers and services. A further benefit to having your own computers and services are that they are business assets, therefore it keeps accountants and investors happy! We do like Zoho and Google Docs, however they simply aren't as powerful as Microsoft Word or Open Office. We don't recommend you run your entire business in the cloud, there is a saying somewhere about eggs in baskets.

If you would like to discuss cloud computing solutions in more detail please contact us using our quick contact form or call us on 01527 908646.