Cloud Computing - The New Paradigm

With the phenomenal increase in the number of users of different kinds of computing from multiple sources, there has been a dramatic increase in the load servers take. This increase has been from many sources, ranging from individual users to businesses to institutions. Handling this kind of load requires innovative business processes. It is in response to this scenario that the new software application functionality of it was born.Cloud computing is the culmination of the efforts to curb the disadvantages of conventional computing.

It is a system in which data from multiple users is stored and accessed from servers placed in a single, remote location. It has been described as being "…about moving services, computation and/or data off-site to an internal or external, location-transparent, centralised facility or contractor". It enables users to pay as they use. This offers a major shift from conventional methods of data storage. Businesses that offer cloud computing offer the SaaS model. SaaS is short for Software as a Service. As the term implies, this concept is about offering software as a service, which means users pay only for what they use.

Major advantages
This functionality has several advantages over conventional methods. The fundamental reason for enterprises to shift to cloud computing is that it helps them save on cost in a multitude of ways. It eliminates the need for expensive installations and maintenance. Since it is a SaaS model, businesses can save money exponentially. Also, there are no upfront costs or capital investment involved. A business can start off on the cloud as when it wants to.

Cloud computing also saves space in a very huge way. Servers that need to be installed at the customer's place and maintained are passé with cloud computing.When an enterprise does not need to install servers at its location, it means a major saving on space.

Cloud computing also has another inherent advantage. It reduces technology obsolescence. How this happens is that since one source handles multiple users; upgrades in technology get automatically carried on to all of them. A result of this feature is that users can save enormously when they plan to change their software or make major upgrades.

Another manner in which cloud computing saves costs is that most service providers support users when they grow and cut back when they scale down business. This is because of the ease of scalability this functionality offers.

What to look for when choosing a service provider
When a business opts for cloud computing, it needs to see what experience its service provider has had in the field. The service provider needs to have an understanding of the technologies that go into cloud computing. The service provider also has to have a proper understanding of its customers' expectations.