Cloud computing is the use of common software, business applications, functionality add-ins from a remote server accessed through the internet. The internet is the “cloud” of applications and services available for access by the subscribers utilizing a modem from their computer. In cloud computing, you simply have to log into the desired computer applications; the applications can be web services, office automation programs, data storage services, blog sites or spam filtering. Access to the programs can be monthly or annually paid subscription. There are several advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing, read on to know more.
Advantages of cloud computing:
With cloud computing, a business is able to get rid of technological headaches such as system crashes, Computer viruses and loss of data. The company is also able have a better track of employee’s activities and also prevents financial waste.
Flexibility. This is one of the major benefits of cloud computing services; there is no limitation of the place or medium. You can reach your applications and data from anywhere on any system.
Cost effective. Without cloud computing, a business will have to have one or more servers, from which the employees can access the company’s licensed programs. With cloud computing, the servers with the software are entirely off-site, the program usage is licensed on an as-needed basis via subscription. This lowers the cost per employee; this is because access through a cloud will be more cost effective than buying in-house licenses and hardware. The subscriptions can also be scaled per actual need.
Cloud computing programs also offers good manageability and oversight, from the employee supervision viewpoint. This is particularly in sales force automation where tacking of the sales team activities and the resulting data are critical to the company success. Here you are able to obtain a good and quick view of each employees work in terms of financial benefits and time saving.
In cloud computing, programs are troubleshooted, contained and maintained entirely off-site from company subscriber. This saves the business the time of maintenance, system outages and data loss.
Limitations of cloud computing:
One of the disadvantages of the cloud computing service is dependency. The user has to depend on the provider, this means the internet users don’t have their data stored with them.
Cloud computing also poses some risks and insecurity. Cloud computing means taking services from servers, therefore the users don’t have any control over their software.
There is also insecurity regarding the stored documents; if the servers go out of service, nothing can be recreated.
Cloud computing services have also migration problems; there are migration issues if the user wants to switch to some other provider. This makes is difficult to transfer huge data from one provider to another.
From what we have seen there are less disadvantages of cloud computing as compared to the advantages. This service has eliminated the need for constant upgrading of the work performed outside office. It has enabled workers to access their daily applications wherever they are: in the airport, in the office, in the backseat of their car or even at home.