As the name suggests, cloud computing is a method of using a virtual computer literally from anywhere in the world with the same personalized experience. Cloud computing is cloud hosting taken a step higher.
Using this type of computing you can organize and have access to your data from any computer that is connected to the World Wide Web. Your user account does not exist on any single PC or laptop but on the Web and your data is saved not on a single hard-disk but, again, on the Web. This allows you to share all your data including your movies, photos, documents, etc. with whoever you want and that too instantly.
Interestingly, almost all of us are partially using cloud computing in a way. All our information that is stored on the servers of one or another internet company such as Yahoo or Picasa is actually a part of a cloud-based computing system. This is why we are able to access the data stored in our email accounts from anywhere we want.
Hence, the criteria for information to be called part of a cloud-based system include instant accessibility, transferability and mobility. The best part of it is that all the information that you own at different platforms such as workplace, email, mobile phone and social networks will get synched. Do not be alarmed, what is on the web does not necessarily have to be on display for the public. Just like your emails cannot be read by others, other data too will be protected and will be on display to only those who you intend to show it to.
One of the advantages of the cloud is for business executives. Whenever corporations buy computers they have to buy several different licensed software such as Microsoft Windows, Office and other field specific programs. With the help of cloud computing, executives can gain access to readymade computers that already have all the desired software installed. The most important advantage to corporations in such a case is cost saving. Cloud computing services offer deals at relatively lower costs because of a number of reasons such as large number of customers, low costs and mass purchases by single entities.
However, the issue of security remains a big question mark especially for corporate clients whose data is of very sensitive nature. There are three types of cloud computing services -infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and software-as-a-service (SaaS). The features that a user of cloud computing will be able to enjoy depend on the type of service he or she is using, i.e. PaaS, IaaS or SaaS. SaaS is the most commonly used type of cloud hosting service.
