News

Cloud Computing’s Silver Lining for Small to Mid-Sized Companies

Rick Endres of The Washington Network Explains This Fast Approaching Technology

 

Alexandria, VA – September 25, 2009 –  Cloud computing is a hot technology that’s gaining tremendous popularity among companies big and small. 

Essentially, cloud computing is a data-processing infrastructure that stores software and the data on remote servers.  These servers connect to the Internet rather than a PC or a company’s LAN.  When you needs to use some form of software application or access data, the computer connects to the remote server through the Internet. 

So what do clouds have to do with all this? The cloud is just a metaphor that describes and represents the Internet in computer diagrams. The explosive growth of the Internet has fostered the idea of shared data infrastructure. 

Cloud computing is more prevalent than one might think. Often, people don’t even realize they’re operating in this fashion.  If you've ever created profile on LinkedIn or Facebook or sent an email from Yahoo, you have engaged in cloud computing. The data you created resides on a remote server instead of on your PC. 

Simply put, cloud computing includes server processing, data storage, security and voice applications. 

As you might imagine, cloud computing offers tremendous advantages. First and foremost, it lets small to mid-sized businesses take advantage of storage space and application solutions without having to make significant capital expenditures. 

As a company needs more storage space or software, it can pay as it goes. Providers offering cloud computing services (such as Amazon S3 or Carbonite) usually charge a subscription or a flat monthly fee. 

Software as a Service (SaaS) is another advantage of cloud computing because companies can tap into powerful solutions hosted on the Internet such as Salesforce.com.  

Easy collaboration is another great benefit. With the application and the data both stored in the cloud, it’s easy for multiple users to work together on the same project – anytime, anywhere.  This gives companies with virtual employees extreme flexibility as well as enhanced productivity. 

Furthermore, depending on the provider, the data and applications stored in the cloud are often backed up in multiple, geographically dispersed, specially equipped data centers with extensive physical safety, archiving and failover capabilities. 

Cloud computing has also given rise to platform as a service. That means one can build their own applications to run on the cloud provider’s infrastructure. Again, multiple users can tap in, regardless of their location.  

While cloud computing is still in its infancy, Gartner estimates that worldwide cloud services revenue will surpass $56.3 billion in 2009, and $150 billion in 2013.  

It's true that issues such as data security remain. Yet the value proposition of cloud computing is quite clear and should be on every business manager's radar.  

All in all, the technology provides a reliable and scalable solution that can greatly impact an organization’s cost structure, support for future growth and enhance operating efficiency and employee productivity. Cloud computing will demand more and more attention, especially as organizations learn how to harness its power.

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON NETWORK, INC.

Founded in 1987, The Washington Network, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia, provides computer networks, VoIP phone systems, IT support and other technology solutions for associations and businesses in the Washington, DC Metro area.

Serving clients without a large in-house IT staff, The Washington Network lowers operating costs while increasing worker productivity. The company’s flat-rate managed services include remote network monitoring, preventive maintenance, help desk, redundant back-ups and on-site support.

A member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, The Washington Network has been honored as the Chamber’s Professional Service Business of the Year. 

Through its strategic membership in the Technology Assurance Group, The Washington Network serves and supports clients with multiple locations across the U.S. and Canada.

The Washington Network is located at 30 South Quaker Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. For more information on The Washington Network, call 703.212.7100 or visit www.WashingtonNetwork.com.

Return to news index