Have you embraced cloud computing for your personal or business data? “The cloud” has become home to many common applications and is now the backbone for the automation of critical business processes. As the power behind the mobile revolution, the cloud has introduced an unprecedented level of flexibility with multiple benefits.
Understanding the Cloud
We can think of the cloud as a subset of the Internet with distinct boundaries. Cloud environments host the back-end processes for applications and serve as hosts for documents, media, business data and more. Each cloud service provider has it’s own network set up for specific purposes in line with clients’ needs. These environments are highly flexible and can be expanded or scaled down as necessary.
Cloud Computing vs. Standard Computing
How is cloud computing different? In traditional computing, files and programs are stored on and run from physical machinery in your home or business. Whether it’s a desktop computer or the server supporting your company’s network, onsite hardware is required to run and manage daily computing processes. When upgrades need to be made, it’s your responsibility to install the latest software and purchase new hardware if need be.
Cloud computing is more of a virtual environment and relies on remote servers to store data. Cloud providers often offer automatic updates, and server upgrades are included as part of the service fee. With these basic housekeeping details taken care of, you enjoy uninterrupted access to applications and files.
Storage and Retrieval in the Cloud
Uploading data or files to the cloud stores them on the servers run by your cloud provider. This information is accessible from anywhere using an app installed on any device. Unlike in a standard computing environment, you’re not tethered to the machine on which the data was originally entered.
Cloud storage facilities use fail-safe measures to ensure data availability, including:
• Automatic backups with file versioning
• Redundant storage across servers
• Multiple power supplies for each machine
These strategies create an environment in which there is always at least one copy of your data accessible at all times.
Tapping into Cloud Benefits
Universal accessibility and the option for flexible scaling are the two main perks of cloud computing. Since you can get more storage or reduce the amount of space used on an as-needed basis, you’re never saddled with the financial burden of purchasing pricy hardware. This makes cloud applications more cost-effective than onsite solutions and opens up a much larger and more flexible computing environment for individual users.
Security and data loss protection have both improved a great deal as cloud use has gained popularity, so there’s much less chance of a data breach or of losing valuable customers due to downtime in business. Remote file access enhances collaboration and allows for the creation of a mobile workforce.
However, migrating business practices to the cloud poses challenges if you rely on legacy hardware and fixed databases. Tools like NuoDB free you from the necessity of costly equipment upgrades by providing flexibility and scalability for your cloud database applications. Using “elastic SQL” technology, NuoDB delivers superior database functionality with integrated disaster recovery to minimize the risk of data loss and maximize uptime.
NuoDB can be adapted to the needs of your business without requiring new hardware and uses the cloud to keep overall costs low. With this tool as part of a cloud migration strategy, companies can scale to meet changing needs while providing a seamless customer experience. Adding NuoDB and other useful resources to your everyday cloud use creates a reliable foundation for continued growth and expanded accessibility.
