The other day a colleague stopped and asked me the question, “What is cloud computing?” I responded by asking them if they use Google applications, social media, storage services, i.e., Dropbox, Box, Apple’s iCloud, etc.?” When they said they did, I pointed out they are using cloud services; clearly it was one of those aha moments!
The term cloud computing is another way to refer to the Internet and the delivery of hosted services over the Internet. Basically, there are three models of cloud computing.
• A private cloud refers to services provided by an organization like the University of Nebraska who owns, manages and operates its own cloud services.
• The public cloud refers to services hosted by businesses, governments or some type of public entity. Services can be free or cost money to use. Often a basic level of service may be free, but there’s a charge for advanced levels of service. Many of today’s popular applications like Google apps, social media, and storage services would fall into this category.
• A hybrid cloud can refer to a mix of public and private cloud services an organization chooses to use to support its business processes, i.e., organizational storage, e-commerce services, etc. For instance, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln has been testing Box as a possible file storage application for users.
There are a number of advantages in using cloud services, especially for small businesses. For instance, you don’t have to buy software, thus avoiding local installation and maintenance issues; access to suites of integrated applications, i.e., Google Apps for Business/Education; fewer investments in hardware; and quick and easy access to industry innovations.
On the flip side, one can encounter certain inflexibilities, lack of training and support resources, and some would contend increased costs.
The bottom line is cloud computing has been around for some time and I suspect it’s part of the infrastructure, platforms and services you use on a daily basis to do your job.
In the future, you can expect to hear more about Box as the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is looking to improve file storage options for users. Also, I will try to describe a number of very good cloud services I believe could be quite useful to UNL Extension.
-- Dan Cotton