What is "The Cloud"?

So, you want to know: What is “The Cloud”?!

In the words of Paul Maritz, CEO of VMware: “Cloud is about how you do computing, not where you do computing.”

Essentially, when you use “The Cloud”, you are using the internet.  This allows you to access everything you need from ANYWHERE there is an internet connection.

Have you ever needed an important document that was on your computer... at home?  Isn’t that the WORST?!

When you use Cloud Technology, your files and data are securely stored in your Cloud Platform (iCloud, Office365, Google Docs, etc.), available for easy access.  This eliminates the headaches that can often occur in the workplace.    

For example, many of us have purchased specific software and licensing for Microsoft Office Suite.  This software is installed on each business computer.  We save our document to our assigned computer.  To share and collaborate with our associates, we attach the file to an email, or, perhaps, we even print and distribute.

Think of some of the hassles that come with this way of doing business.  

• When using software, it is often necessary to purchase newer versions over time.

• If a computer breaks, the files it holds are unavailable for use (even if only temporarily).

• Collaboration can be slowed down due to individual schedules.

When we move our businesses to the Cloud, so many of these issues disappear.  

• Newer versions and updates to platforms are rolled out under your subscription plan.

• If a computer breaks, the files are still available with any internet connection.

• Real-time collaboration allows for your team to never miss a beat.

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“If someone asks me what cloud computing is, I try not to get bogged down with definitions.  I tell them that, simply put, cloud computing is a better way to run your business.” - Mark Benioff, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Salesforce.

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As small business owners, we can often be on the go.  Think about a time when there was an urgent business need and you were out of the office.  Wasn’t that a frustrating situation?  

When you use Cloud Technology, everything you need to run your business can be available to you on your phone.  No rushing back to the office or asking someone to email you a document from your computer.  

In the past, to have the benefits of cutting-edge technology, there were huge, up-front, infrastructure costs, not to mention the team of IT professionals that needed to be hired to manage this infrastructure.  With Cloud Technology, users share the resources of infrastructures that are stored and managed by a third-party, on the internet. This allows the applications, platforms, and software to be quickly updated and improved without the downtime or cost.

Cloud Technology is the ability to do more, with less.