What is it and why do you need it?
If you can’t keep up with the increasing demands of your customers or you’re simply looking to start your own business, then a cloud computing solution might be for you. A cloud computing solution allows for on-demand access to computational resources, which can be anything from simple servers to powerful computers, all of which are accessible from anywhere on the world wide web. In other words, you can run your business from anywhere, at any time, as long as you have an internet connection (which is pretty much everywhere these days).
This is big league stuff and a whole other ballgame from running your average joe business – or even using your own personal computer for tasks such as emailing and browsing the internet. With a cloud computing solution, it’s all done for you (and probably a lot more besides, depending on the plan you choose).
The best part is that you might not even need to know how to code to make use of these services. Most cloud computing solutions are browser-based and any computer with a web browser can access the resources no problem. Even better, a lot of these services are free (especially for the first term), so there’s no excuse not to give them a try.
How much does it cost?
The price of a cloud computing solution will depend on a number of factors, the most obvious being the plan you choose. If you’re looking for a free service then you’ll likely be limited to basic services, but if you want to run your own database or use the advanced services then you’ll have to pay (usually) some form of fee. The good news, however, is that the cost to run a cloud computing solution is generally very affordable and, if you compare it to other forms of IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), it might even be lower.
The other major factor affecting the price of a cloud computing solution is the level of computational resources you need. A small business with just one or two servers might want to consider paying something extra for high-performance computing resources, but for most organizations, a standard plan will be just fine (and cheaper in the long run).
Which one should I choose?
There are a number of different cloud computing solutions available, each with their pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re simply looking for a way to run your business from anywhere with an internet connection, take a look at the range of web-based services available (such as Microsoft Office Online, Google Apps, or Zoho). If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a complete software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that gives you the functionality of a full office suite and allows for easy scaling, then consider taking a look at solutions such as Salesforce or SugarCRM.)
No matter what you’re looking for, we’re sure to have a solution that can help you get started, cheaply and hassle-free.