Week 7: Clear

Photo provided by: Ivan Walsh. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivanwalsh/3649492427/

            This week the concept that was made clear to me was “The Cloud” lecture specifically the section on cloud based computing. The Cloud can be thought of as the Internet. There are two types of cloud based computing personal and Enterprise based each with different goals. Personal cloud-based computing includes programs like Gmail, YouTube, and SpiderOak with the common characteristic being that we don’t know where the programs come from. The Enterprise cloud-based computing includes more commercial applications such as salesforce.com, which allows you to track the sales your business has made.

            Understand cloud-based computing is very important in the business environment. Especially if you are in the sales industry or are in an industry that has hot periods and cold periods. By using a cloud based computing application you can focus you resources and pay for what you actually use. When you are in a slow sales season you can reduce the amount cloud based software you need and then up your need when the busy sales season starts. This is due to the fact that cloud-based software is based on a monthly subscription, rather than an annual subscription.

            I found an article that explains the importance of cloud-based computing. In the article, it explains that if you have ever subscribed to an online newspaper that you have been participating in cloud-based computing. Cloud-based computing also allows you to get the exact technology you need. Instead of you having to manage the software the cloud-based programs does all the managing of the software for you. Here is the link: http://blogs.technet.com/b/volume-licensing/archive/2011/05/13/cloud-based-computing-next-wave-of-innovation.aspx