In recent years, there has been a significant push toward cloud computing. In fact, the global cloud services market cashed in at about $131 billion dollars at the end of last year. Cloud computing refers to connecting a large number of users to a common network to access data, information, and applications. While this sounds like a typical server hardware system, cloud computing often uses the internet as a “server.” The internet essentially acts as the main network, opening public access to a specified network. These virtual hosting services are sold “as a service” through the internet, allowing for remote access.
By investing in cloud hosting, a company can load all of their data, applications, secure information, research, and files to the cloud, and set up unlimited access for desired employees. By relying on cloud computing, companies can also save money on hardware costs, software, and licensing fees, as well as developing onsite IT teams.
With cloud solutions, companies that serve international users can also benefit greatly. For example, there are particular resources that need to be allocated to users in North America, as well as European users during regular business hours. These resources can be reallocated using a different application to match the appropriate time zone, which makes cloud more effective, increases accessibility, and eliminates unnecessary downtime.
It is also worth mentioning that business cloud computing can also be extended to phone systems. In essence, the phone system is run through a cloud system, using Voice over IP, or VoIP. This way, as long as the telephone set is connected to the internet or a Local Area Network, people can call any location in the world, and also receive calls. Both voice calls and data can be transmitted over this single network, which lowers infrastructure costs as well.
There is no denying the distinct advantages of using cloud for several different business purposes, which gives rise the $13 billion that is projected to be spent on cloud computing and managed hosting services by the end of 2014. Its reliability, affordability, convenience, and efficiency has made cloud solutions the best framework for the future of network access, and communications. Find more on this topic here.