We use computers and other devices like smartphones and tablets to store and view our data. Sometimes our data is deleted by mistake. In other cases, we want to run any software but our computer system has less specification to run the software. Or there occurs a situation that we cannot pay high license fees to use the software. The solution to all these problems is using cloud computing that I will describe today.
What is cloud computing?
In cloud computing, you can store your data on the online servers. Online servers are the storage space that is given by large companies to their users. Suppose you want to play a heavy game that you cannot play on your computer but you have high-speed internet. You can purchase some online space (cloud space) that looks like another computer on which that game is already installed. So you connect to that computer via your computer and play that game.
If you are a company that makes online games and you have thousands of players then you can also purchase cloud space for handling online player’s data. The price of cloud computing increase if your data increase i.e. if you get more game players then you can add up more computing space and if your game players decrease then you can reduce the computing space.
You can also save your daily photos, documents, videos, or other files on the cloud and access later.
Now let me discuss some pros and cons of cloud computing.
Advantages of cloud computing
Data access
You can store your important data on the cloud and then can access the data through different devices like your smartphone, tablet, or PC. You can also change your data online through any device.
Reliability
You now have access to your files 24 hours and your business is more reliable and safe.
Low cost
If you purchase all security software and other software like Photoshop, SEO tools, MS office then it will cost you more money. If you get all these through cloud space then it costs you less.
Scale and compete
Small companies can now compete with bigger companies and scale up their business more easily. They can only pay a few more bucks to scale up if required.
Getting started is easy
You can start using cloud storage in no time. All the things get set up easily. With only a few clicks you are able to upload your files and can access the files everywhere.
Concentrate on working
Companies now don’t need to look into details of how to manage and save data, they can now concentrate on their development and marketing and other stuff.
Recovering data
If any of your data is lost on your personal computer then you do not need to worry. Just access to the cloud and restore the data. You can always make a backup of your data on the cloud.
No extra hardware
You don’t need to upgrade your PC to add more RAM or hard drive. Just rent cloud storage and start saving files. Also, you don’t need extra staff to handle your hardware things.
Collaboration tools
The cloud service providers give you collaboration tools by which you can communicate with your company members and solve any misconception.
High uptime
You can access and retrieve data in high uptime i.e. the download speed is enormous in cloud computing.
Disadvantages of cloud computing
Needs internet connection
As you know that accessing any image, video on the cloud requires a stable internet connection so if you lose the internet then you cannot get access to the cloud.
Security issue
Cloud service providers give you security but you again need to think that you are providing your data to 3rd party. So it is better to not store very confidential data of your own or your company.
Transferring of data
All cloud service providers use different technologies and tools for storing and maintaining data. So it will create a problem for you if you want to shift your data from one Vendor Company to another.
Less control
You can control your data on your personal computer easily but if you store your data or using any software then you can perform limited action on it. You also sometimes get limited access to the software.
Examples of cloud computing
Some companies that provide cloud storage facilities include:-
- Dropbox
- Google Photos
- Google Drive
- Microsoft Onedrive
- Amazon AWS
- Microsoft Azure
- IBM cloud
- VMWare
- DigitalOcean
- Google Cloud Plateform