Best Cloud Computing Companies

Cloud storage has advanced in leaps and bounds in the last few years, and we are undoubtedly heading for a future where all our data and activities will be linked to the cloud that is the Internet...

With the advent of smartphones and tablets, people have now found a way to be online virtually everywhere they go. In addition to this, more and more people have found that they are running out of space on their devices and computers, as their data and information files are getting denser and greater in number. One of the most advanced means to counter this issue has been found in the form of cloud computing, and this is undoubtedly where the future is headed.

Giants in the electronic devices industry are now resorting to providing cloud storage for their users, and more and more people are now accepting this as the means of storage they use by choice.

The Concept of Cloud Storage
Until now, we have been storing our data on external devices like hard drives, thumb drives, compact discs, etc. In order to access the data on these devices we need to access the device itself, so it is important to have physical access to them. Moreover, the space that is available on these devices is limited, and sooner or later, it runs out. Cloud storage is the answer to these issues, and it is simply a means of data storage that takes place over the Internet, or the cloud.

What this means is that an individual can store data on the cloud, as long as he has Internet access, from anywhere around the world, and then access this same data from any other place without the need to carry around any peripheral devices with him. He can sync his cloud to the various devices that he uses, or he can even access it from someone else's device if need be. This grants a high level of flexibility and access that can prove valuable. It negates the need for external devices, and this is what makes cloud storage so special. Moreover, size limitations are no longer an issue, as an individual can store large gigs of data on the cloud, and still find them exactly as he left them the last time he accessed the cloud.

There are certain security risks involved here though, so it is highly advised that an individual should not store sensitive and confidential data here. While cloud computing is a revolution, there are several risk factors that users must be prepared for. The client who provides cloud storage ultimately controls the data on it, so you are effectively at their mercy, and this could have serious consequences. So one needs to be wary of such services, but this does not undermine their efficiency in any way.

Top Cloud Computing Companies to Watch

What some of the top companies achieve with this technology remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that cloud computing is already catching on in a big way. Here are some of the major players in this market, and a peek into what they provide.

Google
Google has been the pioneer in this field, and it has raised the popularity of cloud computing by leaps and bounds. There are several Google apps that provide features like working with spreadsheets and word editors (Google Docs), online web albums (Picasa), web blogging sites, social networking sites, AdWords, email synchronization, video chatting, gigs of storage space, online music streaming and round the clock support. These apps can be used by individuals, or by businesses or by educational institutes as well.

Amazon
Amazon is definitely one of the leaders in providing web-based services as well, and there are several features that they provide. Amazon has virtually become synonymous with cloud computing, since they released their Elastic Computer Cloud in 2006, well before anyone else did. They effectively provide storage facilities, computing services, online content delivery, cross-device communications and web-based database services as well.

Microsoft
The techworld giants could not stay away from this service, and inevitably they started offering many great features as well. Their highlight is Azure, a platform that offers Windows-as-a-service and allows users to develop and build several web-based applications. It is no surprise that Microsoft has shifted its focus to this realm, but it is still a relatively new player here, and needs some more time. Various business services like Exchange, Office Communications Servers, Live Meetings and CRM are also offered by Microsoft.

There are some other companies as well that focus on very specialized and business oriented needs, and they are the ones who provide the support structure for this industry. SalesForce is a company that uses cloud computing techniques to enhance their CRM tools which are equipped for marketing companies. Cell phone service providers like AT&T and Verizon also offer cloud computing features for their users, and these are used to provide billing facilities, connectivity troubleshooting, and of course, on demand storage. GoGrid is another famous company that provides a platform for deploying virtual servers which make use of PHP, Apache and other languages. Some companies like RackSpace and NetSuite focus solely on cloud based ERP and CRM tools, so they are also some names to look out for.

Each of these companies definitely have a head start in the cloud computing world, and their future offerings are sure to heavily influence the computing world as well. So they are worth paying close attention to, because their next product could suddenly revolutionize the entire technological world.

Is Cloud Computing Safe and Secure?

 

Getting off to a slow start, cloud computing seems to be all the rage today. But as far as computers and networking is concerned, there will always be problems it will face. Find out how and why things can get messy with cloud computing.

It has been almost 4 years since the term 'Cloud Computing' has been in use. We know how technology can advance in 4 years, all cloud technology included. But, are there still some things that haven't been figured out yet, some loopholes or vulnerabilities? To answer that question, I'll ask you another question, how does it work? If you know the answer to this, then you'll also know that you have been using cloud computing for quite a while. You have been using it whenever you logged on to Facebook or Gmail. Now, after knowing that all these things are cloud based, would it change your opinion of how safe these sites are? For me, it didn't really change much. I believe it is just as safe, or unsafe, as old school server hosts and server farms. There are still many things that will decide the fate of the cloud, some of which are still unknown. Till then, take a look at why people choose it and the current problems it faces.

The Need of Cloud Computing
The focus shifted towards it because of mostly two reasons; convenience and money.

Cloud makes it too easy to store, edit and access all your data. You just don't need to install anything on your cumbersome. You don't need to go through some intense and slow protocol every time you have to access your files. This has been one of the biggest reasons for corporate companies and individual users to prefer cloud computing alike.

The other reason is the current state of economy as well as the need to cut down on the carbon footprint. Cloud can provide for both, dishing out the best interaction speeds for completely affordable prices. Since the user doesn't need any hardware for using cloud services (apart from the usual stuff), it goes without saying that if there is no hardware, then there will be no redundant hardware or dead hardware and consequently, trashed hardware.

Possible Problems With the Cloud
The cloud computing systems are the same as regular networks when it comes to attracting and solving problems. Here are some of the problems that cloud has already faced and maybe will even continue to do so.

Security Breach
An example of this would be the Twitter hack that happened in 2009. Twitter basically works on the cloud interface by contracting with Google, allowing its users to enjoy their services with no cost and installations. A French hacker used Twitter to reach into the inner sanctums of Google employee records (the administrative assistant's account and few others) to extract critical information and to cause Google Docs to malfunction. The alarms rang through the cloud world, prompting everyone to bulk up their security and making users doubt the security that Google can provide. But it should again be noted that what happened can happen just as easily to any other system in the world, cloud or not.

While that was 2 years ago and the security is obviously better now, so are the hackers. The real problem with cloud and its breaching is that it is still fairly new and so many people are using it already. That is the only reason that attracts all the flies to cloud's soup. So when you're worrying about security compromise regarding cloud, you're only doing so because everybody is using it.

Multiple Data Entanglement
This problem can be best explained in the words of Vuk Trifkovic, a senior data analyst at Datamonitor - "At the heart of the infrastructure is this idea of multi-tenancy and decoupling between specific hardware resources and applications." What it means is the pull of cloud service providers to using the same hardware for multiple software or accounts. This can pose a risk of data loss or hacking. "In the jungle of multi-tenant data, you need to trust the cloud provider that your information will not be exposed," is what Vuk advises when you set out to subscribe to a cloud service. It's possible the only way to know that your data is safe in their hands.

When Data Changes Countries
This is another problem that can occur with cloud. The reason for this is that cloud still doesn't have straightforward controlling laws regarding data transfer country to country and its security at the place where it has been stored. This needs to be resolved using a cloud service provider with full transparency as to where it stores all the data and the rules and regulations that govern that site. Only deal with a trusting cloud company and check up on local security laws.

Keeping it Safe in the Cloud
Long Passwords
It is a simple step that often goes overlooked. Many people prefer to keep a password that they can remember, like their own name, their address or something personally linked to them. This is a mistake and things like these are the first to be looked at by hackers. Follow the guidelines given by the site and add your own assortments of letters (both cases) and numbers to it. Keep it random and write it down on paper somewhere. Try not to access the cloud from a public computer like the library or an Internet cafe, you never know what malware may be on those computers.

Data Encryption
Although most clouds have their own encryption systems, you can choose to use your own. This is because chances are, the cloud will be using a finite set of keys for all encryption, so if someone knows them, they can easily access your files.

File Sharing
Make sure you have control over the privacy settings of all files on your account. Keep the shared files separate from the private ones. This helps your stuff to be more organized as well as useful to keep track of all your file sharing. It would also be wise to keep a backup of at least the shared files, if not all of them, on your own computer. Yes, it kind of beats the purpose of owning a cloud account, but better safe than sorry.

There will also be other problems that will reveal as time progresses, but it's now understood that most of these problems arise only because cloud computing is still in the developing stage. I would give it more time to evolve and wait for stronger international laws for cloud data storage and transfer. But, with what clouds can provide, I'm pretty sure hardly anything will rain on its parade.

The Future of Cloud Computing and Internet

 

All the Internet technologies that are being developed, try to come up with the cliché slogan 'user-friendly'. Among those technologies, cloud computing plays a significant role in future computing business. Scroll down to get some idea on the future of cloud computing and Internet.

Cloud computing is a technology in which data, software and hardware applications are accessed from a cloud of online resources. This technology comes in public, private and hybrid forms. Private cloud is not available to everyone who is using the Internet. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) services are provided by the companies, only to those who subscribe to them and who are connected to their network. Whereas, public cloud is available to all who access Internet. This type of computing is provided by companies such as Google, IBM, Zoho, etc. Virtualization, which is a prototype that distinguishes the computing technologies from the physical software, is a key pillar of this technology.

Can This Technology Help in Business Improvement?
Let's say you have a company and a website for your organization. In few years, the number of users of your website increases. You are successful, but with success, problems can come. Your equipment can't keep up with the demand and your service automatically slows down, which ultimately puts you into trouble. What could be the reason behind this? A few years ago, you would have put your website on computer and bought servers to set them up. Hundreds of companies do this, which costs them a lot of money and consumes a lot of time too. This is called 'hosting'. You pay for these servers when you are using them, and you pay for them when you are not using them! By buying these servers, you hope for success in your business, but instead, you lose your customers and end up without any profit in your business. Is there any solution for this? Connect your computer to a cloud server and see what happens. You just have to pay for what you use and manage the demand by varying your utilization of the cloud resources. This lets customers, enterprises and businesses, to use the application services without any requirement for software and hardware installation.

Business Benefits from Internet

1. Online availability of products and services reduces market costs.
2. There is a greater reach from global market to local market.
3. E-Commerce, for example - Internet marketing, reduces total cost.
4. Internet is accessible not only to computers, but also other devices like mobile phones, which have Internet access.

This technology uses both the Internet and remote servers located within the Internet. It basically consists of hardware and software resources, which are made available on the Internet and they are specifically known as cloud computing services. These services could be infrastructure, platform, software and hardware. A person simply has to subscribe to the service, and log in to their desired computer application such as office automation program, data storage service, span filtering, blocking sites, etc., and get the work done. You get access to these applications and programs by monthly or annually paid subscription.

Applications
Cloud computing software are used to manage all your projects in one place as well as customer relationship management (CRM) in human resource (HR) application. A number of online office applications are also available, which include Google docs, Blist and Slide rocket, etc. This allows any user to work in these applications with any computing device with Internet connection. There are more cloud applications such as Facebook, web-based email from Yahoo or Hotmail and Google's online spreadsheets, which are easily accessible to customers. Applications like Facebook make it user-friendly too. Salesforce.com is one of the most important and successful applications in cloud computing. What companies do is that, they log on to salesforce.com and purchase the services for automating sales team and structure.

Why is this Technology so Popular?

Scalability: The cloud servers can be utilized or released back, according to the demand of the user.
Instantaneous Availability: The resources are straightaway available in the cloud and it can be taken by just switching it on.
Saving on Money: You have to pay for only what you use in the same way like how you pay for your electricity and gas consumption.

It all started with grid computing and Internet is the original computing grid. Many companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc., are embracing this technology. Because of easy implementation, Quality of Service (QoS), remote access and low skill requirements, this technology is gaining momentum among the people. It is also called future web and no doubt, the technology has a bright future in Internet services and computing.