T3.3 - Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing allows the computer and internet user to go beyond the capabilities of their own machine, and utilize shared storage space and other resources made available by cloud computing (1). Creating a website hosted on a larger server is made possible by cloud computing, as are web based email servers like yahoo, hotmail, and gmail (1). In addition, social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace, and even Moodle, and made possible by cloud computing. Essentially, cloud computing allows the capabilities of IT to be expanded without mass changes to the hardware already in use or main infrastructure (2). However, "Cloud Computing" can be a vague and general term, and it is important to address the many forms of cloud computing in use today (2).

There are many forms and aspects of cloud computing, such as SaaS, Utility Computing, Web Services in the Cloud, Platform, MSP (Management Service Providers), Service Commerce Platforms, and Integration Programs (2). In the interest of space and time, within this post I will only address the form of cloud computing called SaaS. SaaS offers one application to thousands of users through their browser, and can be seen in many online applications that also have downloadable "desktop apps" such as Zoho Office and Google Apps (2). SaaS is short for "Software as a Service", and is especially useful to businesses because it allows the software to be accessed remotely via a browsers, which is often cheaper than buying and installing software on all their computers, and also does not require additional hardware (3). An example of SaaS would be Salesforce.com, a website that offers a one-site solution for sales workers (4).

This site takes advantage of the many benefits that cloud computing offers, and functions as a one site interface to control a variety of important programs used by sales personnel (4). For example, the site features a large amount of storage within which salesmen and women can store contacts and details on their various accounts (4). The site also features a content library in which to store presentations, a partner interface in which workers can collaborate, and an email service and storage interface (4). The site even contains a mapping function to help salespeople drive to sales calls, and also has a mobile equivalent so that all the functions of the normal website can be accessed on a mobile phone (4). This website and its function demonstrates that cloud computing can be valuable to specific types of workers, as well as businesses in general, and the general public in the forms of social networking sites, photo storage, email services, and more.

1.http://www.examiner.com/social-media-in-allentown/cloud-computing-facebook-for-business
2.http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031
3. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SaaS.html
4. http://www.salesforce.com/crm/sales-force-automation/