The Advantages of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is very much a buzz phrase at the moment – it effectively means using applications that are based on the internet instead of on your computer – for example using webmail, such as Gmail instead of a email client, such as Outlook. But what are the advantages of using software in this manner and why are many businesses increasingly moving towards this approach?

1. Easily shared. Web-based applications allow your staff to access their information from anywhere, and allows them to view and edit the same information at once. This allows more collaborative working and ensures your team works more efficiently.

2. Improved continuity of service. Software as a service (SaaS) allows us to ensure that all users of the software are using the same version. This is because updates to the software are deployed by us, rather than expecting the users to update software that is sat on their computer. This means that this software is easier to support as we immediately know what version you are using if you require support.

3. Rapid improvements in functionality. If an application is hosted in the cloud it allows the developers to roll out improvements rapidly, meaning any development work done for one client can be enjoyed by the rest of the customers.

4. Ensure backups for the customer. Cloud applications are generally backed up at least once a day. Many small businesses are aware that they are supposed to do backups, but the responsibility is not part of any one person's job description, so backups can be patchy or even forgotten about all together. Even if the backups are done, there can be a lack of knowledge of what to do if the backup is needed and many businesses that I have visited have never even thought to take the backup off site.

5. Lower costs. Web-based software means you don't have to pay for software up front, you don't have to invest in expensive server infrastructure, and you don't need staff to have any level of IT expertise. You also only have to pay for what you use – no annual contracts.

6. Adaptable and flexible. Due to lower investment costs it is easy to change applications. You can rapidly increase the number of servers your application is hosted on, which means as you increase the number of staff, the software keeps up with you.

7. APIs. Due to the nature of cloud applications, they often have an API to allow them to integrate with other applications, allowing the user to have a more integrated experience if they are looking to use a range of different applications.

8. Interoperability – Our software – Malinko – like most web-based software, does not have a preference what kind of computer or operating system you are using. We were recently challenged about how many different systems it can actually be used on, so we decided to test it. Although not an exhaustive list, we now know it works on the following systems:

- Windows 7 using IE 7,8,9; Chrome 10,11,12,13; Firefox 3,4,5,6; Opera 10,11; Seamonkey; Orca; Avant; Maxthon

- Mac OSX using Safari; Chrome 10,11,12,13; Firefox 3,4,5,6; Opera 10, 11; Camino; Seamonkey

- Linux using Firefox; Chrome; Opera; Midori

- iPad using Safari; Diigo; Firefox

- Kindle using embedded browser

- Android phones, iPhones and Blackberries.

So, there you have 41 different combinations, and as I said – its not even an exhaustive list!