So, you may have heard of “The Cloud” by now, probably mentioned in an advert or some other form of media, but what exactly is it? Simply, The Cloud refers to the most efficient way currently to store and share information – files are stored over the Internet rather than on a hard drive or through physical devices like CD-ROMs or USB flash drives. Why is it called “The Cloud” though? This is due to the way it is referenced, much like actual clouds; your stored data floats around in virtual space between all applied devices. Using The Cloud has several immediate advantages.
Utilizing The Cloud, files are stored over the internet. Some benefits include having backup protection and instant availability. Many modern companies and tech-savvy individuals are claiming Cloud space for themselves already – and the only two requirements using The Cloud has are the amount of available space, and having an active internet connection.
Cloud storage offers a great method of file backup for personal use OR business use. In the past, companies would copy all of their data to giant tape rolls and send them offsite, while personal users back up their data to physical mediums and store them away. There is a better way, and that would be The Cloud. Say you are working on a presentation for a meeting the next day. You finish it, and save the file to your personal Cloud. The next morning before work though, tragedy strikes, and your hard drive fails! The file could be corrupted or outright destroyed… thankfully; you saved the file to your Cloud. Using a different computer or other internet capable device you access your Cloud and there is that presentation along with all of the other files you have stored there. This works with virtually any kind of file, so long as it fits in your allotted Cloud space.
As previously mentioned, using the Cloud can offer you immediate availability on your files. So long as you have Cloud space and an internet connection, any file can be saved from any location that is linked to your Cloud. Then, anywhere else that is also coupled will have that file accessible as soon as it is downloaded. For example, uploading a document from your office computer to your Cloud will mean that as soon as you get home and without having to have any equipment on you, that file can be downloaded and handled at home – as long as your home computer is on the same Cloud network. Imagine it’s an image – now both computers (along with any others connected) will be able to view it instantly.
How Cloud storage works: It’s really no more than simple file sharing. You can rent space from a company who sells it. That space you are renting from them is on the company’s servers is now your personal storage area. When you upload a file it is sent to that set of computers, and then those computers redistribute it to all of your devices – and typically (depending on network speed) it is usable within seconds.
No question, the Cloud is revolutionizing the way people run their business.