Cloud Computing A Simple Explanation

A lot of people ask me to give a simple explanation regarding the term Cloud Computing. The reason why you read quite a lot about Cloud Computing is that IT companies are hyping this term as the next big thing since the invention of the light bulb.

Cloud Computing is computation, software, data access and storage services that don't need end-user knowledge of the particular physical location and configuration of the system that delivers the services. You can actually compare it with the electrical power grid, you don't require the specialized knowledge to use it. Just plug in the device and you will be ready to go!

The term "cloud" is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on the cloud drawing used to represent the Internet in computer network diagrams.The concept isn't new and has been around for decades. Years ago the IT companies tried to market this concept already but this wasn't a success. The reason for this was that you needed a fast and reliable Internet connection, and at the time if they were available, they came at a hefty price.

Nowadays almost everyone has access to the internet via a fast broadband connection. This removes the bandwidth problem and information is sent at a lightning fast speed around the globe. Almost all companies use fast Internet connections, because the Internet is used in a big part of their business and prices for connections have dropped significantly.

An example of a Cloud based service is Google's Gmail. You can sign up to an account and send e-mail to colleagues or friends around the globe, without having any sort of technical knowledge of the way that e-mail works. Google has all the specialized expertise and networking infrastructure to manage the e-mail traffic. The benefit is that you don't lose valuable time on the technical stuff and enables you to focus on your business!

The introduction flat fee Internet and the Smartphone like the iPhone or Android phones in combination with mobile Internet plans, caused a fast adaptation of Cloud technology.

If you want to have a location independent business, Cloud Computing is the way to go! Instead of running applications locally on your computer and store data your self, they run on a shared data center maintained by the best industry experts. For example, you can configure your Smartphone to connect to your favorite e-mail Cloud service and carry your e-mail with you wherever you go. Your e-mail is stored in the Cloud and you can access it on your Smartphone or any computer, no data is stored on the device itself. Because you can "plug in everywhere", this has several advantages for you:

You are able to access all programs as well as data using your browser.
You can get started very quickly
The costs are much less when compared to conventional software programs
You don't need to have your own servers and storage
No software set up necessary
You don't have to update your software programs
No specialized knowledge required
The service is often at no cost or via predictable regular monthly subscription
Some popular cloud services are:


Gmail
Hotmail
Facebook
Amazon EC2/S3
Salesforce.com

for gamers there are Sony's Playstation Network or Microsoft's Xbox Live.
My name is Ard-Jan, I live in The Netherlands and spend most of my 9-5 time working as a systems and network engineer for a large health care group here in the region.

Why Use Google Apps for Business

Google Apps have been around for a while now and Google have been promoting the Cloud for business for over 10 years now. For those who don't know what Google Apps are, it is a service from Google featuring many web applications with similar functionality to traditional office suites like Microsoft office. Some of the many apps include Gmail, Google Calendar, Talk, Docs and Sites. The difference between Google Docs and office suites like Microsoft office is that all of Google apps are on the cloud, in other words on a server available 24/7 and can be accessed anywhere. You don't have to buy any software or hardware to use the apps and there is very little administration. Google apps bring the power of mobile computing to your fingertips. You don't have to be tied down to the office anymore, you can work anywhere at any time and be confident that your documents and critical business data is safe and secure in Google's hands.

Modern business is not just carried out in the office anymore. Mobile working is growing and that is thanks to cloud computing. You can be anywhere in the world and access your data, email, calendar and talk to colleagues. All you need is an internet connection. All of these applications can be used via an iPhone, blackberry or android phones and even some less powerful phones. This is how modern day business is carried out and it is set to stay

You get far more storage with Gmail and more security. Gmail is powered by Postini which is an E-mail and Web security and archiving service which has been owned by Google since 2007. The service provides efficient cloud computing services for filtering e-mail spam and malware actually before it is delivered to a client's mail server.

The benefits are obvious. Apart from the mobile working benefits and security the cost savings really add up. If you have 10 employees you need 10 office software certificates, whereas with Google apps you don't need to buy anything. All you need is a computer with internet access. For new businesses working with Google apps is ideal, training your staff to work on the cloud will ensure you business is run smoothly and securely without any worry about hardware and software down time.

Google has partnered up with many Google Apps Resellers so companies can help with the transition from regular software and working practices to working on the cloud. Google also provide customer support all day every day. You can contact Google via email, instant chat online or by phone. The likelihood of need to contact Google is slim because of the advanced security features. They store all of the data on many data centers so if one fail to retrieve your information it will automatically point to another server. As the servers are synchronised, you will only ever get up to date real time date.

You get peace of mind because Google Apps is the very first cloud based solutions to receive the FISMA certification. This means Google's security and network operations have been given the thumbs up from the Federal Information Security Management Act. To receive a certificate from the FISMA, guidelines and the correct implementation security control need to be adhered to. Google have a security team working all hours to ensure that data on the cloud is safe and secure.

If your software of PC has been hacked and you have lost data which lost your business a lot of time and money you can see why Google apps are beneficial to businesses. More and more are catching on to this concept and with what I have stated above it's not hard to see why. I have been converted and I hope more and more businesses will realise the benefits and more their business activities onto the cloud. Google rocks!

Agile Software Developers

Agile software developers are more favorable on the interdependence of various development processes in achieving a working software. They believe that in development, the communication between business partners and developers is better than using clear-cut tools and processes; working software is preferred than an exhaustive documentation; customer collaboration is better than contract negotiation; and quick response to modifications is preferred than following an organized plan.

Agile Software developers take value in the interaction of all involved individuals. They believe that having a self-organized and motivated team members produce better software results. As much as possible, software teams must be within one location so that each member could easily collaborate with the other member when urgent modifications are necessary.

Agile developers value a working end product more than fancy presentation of all the processes involved. If possible, they show the real results in client meetings than just present manuals and documentation. Documentation is still important but it should not just present a definite standard operating procedure. Presenting real-time results saves both the client and developers time.

Agile developers encourage client collaboration. As modifications to the system is done in short terms rather than long periods (i.e. waterfall method), clients can insert their suggested improvements to the process quickly. This is because the collection of all requirements can't possibly be collected at the beginning of a software development cycle. Sometimes, a new requirement just pops up in the middle of the coding. With Agile approach, these new requirements can be interlaced into the process immediately regardless of what part of the coding phase the developers are. Constant customer or client involvement is very important in this approach.

Agile Software developers are susceptible to quick modifications. Changes are needed in whatever part of the process. They are excellent at adjusting to instant requests, encouraging clients to constantly give their feedback. The development is continuous and quick.

These developers thrive on technical excellence and spotless designs. Customers must understand that and be able to put their full trust upon their development team. To strengthen the trust, regular face-to-face interaction is encouraged versus just emailing, talking over the phone, and chatting. This trust encourages the developers to exert more effort to their work.

Agile software developers do not follow a clear phase. They can go back to requirements gathering even if they are already in the middle of drafting the design. This way, clients are ensured of faster and more efficient results.