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Unit 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing

of storage options. This type of a storage process permits all these organizations to take benefit Notes
in this process without actually having to reimburse any additional costs that are usually
connected with such type of storage resources.
There are many implications of cloud technology, for both developers and end users.
For developers, cloud computing provides increased amount of storage and processing power
to run the applications they develop. Cloud computing also enables new ways to access
information, process and analyze data, and connect people and resources from any location
anywhere in the world. In essence, it takes the lid off the box; with cloud computing, developers
are no longer boxed in by physical constraints.
For end users, cloud computing offers all those benefits and more. A person using a Web-based
application is not physically bound to a single PC, location or network. Cloud computing
simply means network access from just about anywhere worldwide. You just need to log in to
your account using an internet connection in order to extract the important information from
the service provider’s website. This is an important feature of cloud computing as it really helps
in generating the best possible results.
Documents hosted in the cloud always exist, no matter what happens to the user’s machine so all
your data is stored in the cloud.
It is cost efficient as you can easily access to your information with minimal upfront spending.
The best thing about cloud computing is that it comes with a pay per use feature. This is the
reason why more and more companies are choosing it for the purpose of storage. The usage fee
of cloud computing is never a big problem for the enterprises as you just need to pay for the
services that you make use of. You don’t need to pay in advance and thereby block your money.
Once you use it for a specific period of time, you will just have to pay for that amount of time.
Software updates and renewals are also handled by the cloud vendor and occur several times
a year at no cost to the customer. This ensures that the user interface remains modern and
up-to-date with business demands.
And then there is the benefit of group collaboration. The rise of cloud computing is changing
collaboration. Basic tools such as Outlook and Word are transforming into cloud-based tools.
Cloud-based collaboration means that many of the initial barriers to entry for collaboration,
such as expensive initial investment in infrastructure, have been removed. Instead, it allows for
pay-as-you-go usage and enables workers to keep using the tools they’re already used to, only
with cloud-based features added on.
With this benefit of group collaboration users from around the world can collaborate on the
same documents, applications and projects, in real time. Cloud computing does all this at lower
costs, because the cloud enables more efficient sharing of resources than does traditional network
computing. With cloud computing, hardware does not have to be physically adjacent to a firm’s
office or data centre. In addition, additional cloud resources are always at the ready, companies
no longer have to purchase assets for infrequent intensive computing tasks. If you need more
processing power, it is always there in the cloud and accessible on a cost-efficient basis.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
6. A .............................. is a massive network of servers or even individual PCs interconnected
in a grid.
7. With .............................., data is stored on multiple third-party servers, rather than on the
dedicated servers used in traditional networked data storage.

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