When you think of cloud computing, you may pictures, videos email, documents and other files that are stored on a network of servers. Those servers are primarily for storage, but some also offer computing power needed to run programs and other applications. Cloud applications are a form of software that executes its processing logic and storage of data on different systems. Some of that processing takes place on the end-user’s device like a laptop or desktop computer, and some takes place on the server that hosts the application.
Cloud-based applications typically come with collaboration features, which allows multiple people to work simultaneously on documents. This can boost teamwork and increase productivity. In addition, a majority of them automatically update themselves to include the most recent functionality and security patches, which can save IT staff much time and effort.
Another advantage of cloud-based software is the ability to increase or decrease their capacity quickly. This flexibility can be very beneficial for businesses that have changing or seasonal needs and it can reduce operating costs because you don’t have to buy hardware that might be unused during slow periods.
Cloud applications are often based on a subscription-based model, where users only pay for the services they utilize. This is often more cost-effective than purchasing software licenses for each device or operating system. This can also increase the efficiency of businesses since they don’t need to invest huge sums of money upfront to get their systems up and running. Furthermore, many cloud providers offer disaster recovery services for their customers which can protect against local outages and even physical catastrophes.