What Is Cloud Computing Technology?

This guide about Cloud Computing for Dummies is a cool layman interpretation of defining the question “what is cloud computing technology?” Cloud computing is the concept of utilizing hardware and software resources as a service (SAAS) as opposed to the use of in-house applications and private servers. A client wishing to use a Cloud based technology uses a lightweight desktop software, mobile app or a web browser to access remote computer resources through an API (Application Interface). In a cloud, all the company’s data is housed in a remote database run by a third party company which charges a fee for their services.

Connection Infrastructure for cloud computing

To use the cloud computing technology, you can subscribe for paid account in some of the cloud computing providers. You simply do so by creating a business/personal account via their website in order to access their services. Since this technology was invented, thousands of companies have come up with different cloud-based models of business services tailored to both small and large scale firms. As a company owner, you pay a monthly fee according to the number of users in your office in order to access cloud based solutions. This assists you to save on huge costs associated with purchase of computers, softwares and servers.

Cloud computing services available for businesses

Some of the best cloud computing services include:

·                 Web cloud based accounting services– offered by Freshbooks

·                 Cloud-based sales force applications; for managing marketing campaigns and leads (e.g. salesforce.com)

·                 Cloud based Office Suite- Like the free online Google Docs.

Accounting- Freshbooks

If you are looking for cloud computing for dummies, you now access a cloud-based accounting service with Freshbooks. These accounting SAAS allows you to quickly create invoices, track bills and receive payments from your clients. It is a breeze using the Freshbooks cloud-based accounting tools since all your employees can access the resources irrespective of their geographic location. You can remind your clients to pay you on time, track your expenses and know the income generated in each accounting period. Use of Freshbooks cloud-based accounting software reduces payment time significantly. It also inspires confidence to your clients when you send professional looking invoices with a one click “Pay Now” button for immediate response.

·                 Try FreshBooks Today
The Best Cloud-based accounting software. Freshbooks offers Online Invoicing, Time Tracking & Billing services irrespective of your location. Just use your computer, Smart Phone or Tablet to manage your accounts

Sales forces applications

As the world celebrates Cloud computing services, internet marketing has become so complicated. To help business owners with a better way to manage their marketing campaign, cloud based marketing applications are used. This is where salesforce.com application comes in. You might be using such softwares but still confused about what is cloud computing technology. However, a cloud-based sales service allows clients to mange customers, capture leads, track marketing campaigns and devise better ways to make internet campaigns successful. Sales force cloud-based applications are ideal for tracking emails as well as automating most marketing campaigns. They have better report and analysis tools that allow you to study how a business is fairing. Sales force applications give good resources for any e-commerce enthusiastic.

Office suite

Data sharing is very essential in each business. Luckily, Google offers the most popular office suite as a cloud to all customers at no cost. It is possible for businesses to use Google docs for sharing the information they need so easily. Google Docs have a variety of services including; Word Processing software and Spreadsheet applications. Documents created via Google docs are shareable by inviting people via email to view them on their browsers. Google docs are accessible on Mobile phones, tables and on computers.

Benefits of using cloud based applications

Apart from low maintenance cost, a company benefits from rented servers as opposed to buying expensive ones. Therefore, it is advisable to use any cloud-based application to save on costs. Businesses can therefore concentrate on more important issues while paying low monthly cost for a service (e.g. accounting services). Cloud-based services don’t require businesses to update their system since this can be done remotely by the owners of the cloud. Apart from minor updates of light weight applications e.g. Desktop and mobile apps, any other amendments are done on the go via plug-ins. Business data resides in a cloud(Central Remote Database) eliminating redundancy while saving on local disk space.

Programmer’s summary about cloud computing

The keyword “what is cloud computing technology?” is usually searched by many programmers wishing to make money on the SAAS industry. They can simply access cloud based services through the use of API’s. These are just but software development kits intended to pull and push data to a remote database in order to perform certain operations. Such API’s are offered by cloud computing providers either for free or as a subscription service.

As a programmer of any language (e.g. PHP, Java, VB, C++, Android, HTML) you can either develop cloud computing softwares by using third party SDK’s or by coming up with your own methodologies. For instance, you can create a remote MySQL database and use Visual basic 6.0/net as the front end and PHP as the middle ware. This approach is ideal for creating accounting, data entry or sales applications. You can probably make money out of it if you have enough clients to purchase your technology.

Conclusion on cloud computing

Although there are some negative speculations about cloud-computing (e.g. security issues), it still remains the better option for all businesses. Better still, government and non-governmental organizations are using it to manage their operations. To understand this guide about Cloud Computing for Dummies, it is good to know that cloud-based applications are platform independent. This means they can run on any Operating system (Windows, Linux, Mac, e.t.c). Cloud based services reduce operation costs while increasing device independence. It is therefore recommended for any one wishing to create reliable virtual offices with one central database.