What Is Cloud Computing

Cloud computing refers to the Internet based development and use of computer technology where the "cloud" represents the Internet. This is because on network diagrams, the Internet is often depicted as a cloud. The cloud hides a substanital technical infrastructure that the user doesn't need to understand in any level of detail, he just needs to connect to it to access its resources.

Essentially, cloud computing enables computer software and hardware resources to be accessed over the Internet without the need to have any detailed or specific knowledge of the infrastructure used to deliver the resources, much like a utility model. You really don't need to know what the phone company or electric company does on their end to enable calls and allow the lights to go on when you flip the swith; and, you really don't want to know as long as when you plug into it, it works.

Cloud computing is very similar to a utility and includes numerous models such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Web 2.0, and other technology models that rely on the Internet or a Web browser to access the services.

Cloud computing infrastructure consists of reliable services delivered through next-generation data centers that are built on computer and storage virtualization technologies. The services are accessible anywhere in the world, with the cloud serving as a single point of access for all the user's computing requirements.

There are numerous benefits to cloud computing, especially for small businesses as it eleviates numerous infrastructure costs and technology burdens. In August 2008 Gartner Group noted that "organizations are switching from company-owned hardware and software assets to per-use service-based models" and that the "projected shift to cloud computing will result in dramatic growth in IT products in some areas and in significant reductions in other areas".

Benefits Of Cloud Computing

In a cloud computing environment, customers typically do not own the infrastructure, they are simply accessing or renting the use of it. By sharing the environment across multiple tennants, the customer can easily scale during peak loads while only paying for resources they actually use. This enables computing capacity to increase dramatically while minimizing expenses.

A significant benefit to cloud computing is that it is highly scalable. It has a very low cost of entry since much of the initial costs of hardware, data center facilities, and technical staff are eliminated and it becomes much easier to meet rapidly evolving user requirements without needing to build for peak loads.

Cloud computing also enables platform and device independence since the applications are browser based they can be accessed from virtually anywhere and from virtually any device.

The partners at CYOP have been invovled in cloud computing since long before cloud computing was even in use as a term.

CYOP enables and leverages cloud computing technology by provide enterprise-class open source solutions to small to mid-sized businesses featuring: NO Capital Expenses, NO Licensing Fees, NO Technical Administrator Needed, NO Proprietary Vendor "Lock-In', Multi-Platform Browser-Based Architecture, Highly Secure & Fault Tolerant Infrastructure & Rapid Deployment.

For more information on CYOP's open source software and cloud computing solutions, please contact us or signup for a FREE Business Process Assessment.