Why Cloud Computing Will Change The Way We Work

According to Wikipedia (http://tinyurl.com/2qjapp), cloud computing is: “Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid.” In simpler language: Cloud computing is a data center, controlled by a vendor, that your employees access to share, edit, store and play files over the Internet from any location in the world. Google’s Gmail, Apps, Docs and Sites are all forms of cloud computing. However you choose to define it, cloud computing will reshape the way we work. Here’s how.

Imagine this for your small business: You take all your HR data and place it in a private, company-owned cloud for 24/7 access by those who need it most to get their work done. Employees eagerly cooperate and learn how to use the cloud to streamline workflow and vastly improve how managers respond to challenges and opportunities as well as employee questions and concerns. After monitoring, testing and verifying the performance of the cloud, you realize you’ve saved an astounding amount in hardware, power and IT support costs.

Congratulations! You’re scaling up fast to cloud success! In just under three months, there is a discussion at a Monday morning strategy meeting about hiring a true, full-blown outside cloud service provider because, due to explosive growth, you can no longer store all your data at your own place. You decide to move the HR data. Though retention of that data is priority No. 1, you are confident in the cloud.

That is how cloud computing works. What you had deployed up until now did the job and was easy, convenient, free and manageable. But once you reach maximum capacity on the number of users or file storage capabilities, an outside vendor might serve you better. At that point, the business model morphs into a pay-as-you-grow system. You can increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly, based on your needs. It allows a small business owner to become more nimble and respond quicker to sudden market changes. The cloud takes care of itself, provided people know how to use it. It allows you to focus on your business.

Now that you know what cloud computing is, be sure to check out “10 Benefits of Cloud Computing” and “10 Factors to Consider Before You Put Your Business in a Cloud.”

About the Author: Global business expert Laurel Delaney is the founder of GlobeTrade.com (a Global TradeSource, Ltd. company). She also is the creator of “Borderbuster,” an e-newsletter, and The Global Small Business Blog, all highly regarded for their global small business coverage. You can reach Delaney at ldelaney@globetrade.com or follow her on Twitter @LaurelDelaney.