This is a guest post by Sidney Angelos.
The concept of Cloud Computing might have evolved from those nebulous cloud-like regions found in many technology white papers and other displays of how a business planned on offering its products and services. Essentially, the term is referring to the fact that ones business can secure Internet technology in the form of highly scalable processing power, virtually unlimited data storage and retrieval, and access to a number of application servers providing computational services in an on demand fashion.
These concepts, however can be just as nebulous as those cloud-like images. For a better understanding just a little time, focused help and perhaps a tutorial or two should clarify various aspects of what cloud computing is all about. The following list includes links to their source material online as well as a brief description about the particular aspect of cloud, or grid computing the article focuses on.
Ideally, one making their way through this list should acquire the vocabulary to have intelligent conversations with others about cloud computing. Of course, this articles limitations will prevent the reader from gaining complete knowledge on the subject. As such, once the basics are understood, seeking advanced insight can help one in the decision making process surrounding using the cloud to provide online services for their business.
<5 Aspects of Cloud Computing Everyone Should Know
- a href=”http://ruby.about.com/od/cloudcomputing/a/dvandervort.htm” title=”What Is Cloud Computing?”>What Is Cloud Computing?: Dave Vandervort, Architect-Client Hardware/Software for Xerox Innovation Group, provides some excellent clarification of what is and is not true cloud computing in this article. Also well explained in usable layman’s terms are the cloud computing concepts of the differences between Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a Service. The differences, while subtle, are important and can make a valuable difference when discussing ones needs from the cloud.
- Getting Started with Cloud Computing: Cheat sheets can actually be good things. When one is considering moving their business services into the cloud, remembering the various terms, acronyms, and related technological jargon can be tough. Clicking through on this link, one should find a Scribd embed of the reference card, but there is also a prominent link for pdf download.
- AWS Products & Services:One of the major players in the cloud computing industry, Amazon’s various offering links can be found on this page, but each section is a brief description about what those services will do for ones business. Even if not ready to secure these services, there is a lot of education available here.
- Google App Engine: Even if building apps is beyond the scope of the current cloud computing considerations, having a clearer understanding of how the cloud works with Google can be attained by perusing through this page. The App Engine offers fast development and deployment; simple administration, and effortless scalability.
- Microsoft’s Windows Azure: If one is a fan of Windows and the various offerings of Microsoft, the Windows Azure Cloud Computing solutions may be of interest. This page is the starting point for learning about the various services available on the Microsoft platform. There are videos on the page with deeper explanations as well as multiple links taking one deeper into their platform.
There are no shortage of resources when it comes to a self education in the area of Cloud Computing. Even if one decides to pursue their presence in the cloud with the help of a third party cloud management company, taking the time to better understand the terms, challenges and benefits will help in communicating more efficiently about their cloud objectives.
This guest post is by Sidney Angelos, a writer for a All Things CRM, a blog which covers CRM trends and social media for customer relationship management.
