Cloud Computing – Definition / Explanation

What is Cloud?

It’s a ‘Basket’ full of computing resources like networks, servers, storage, applications and services. It’s open to add anything whatever you can think of, but should be accessed via network.

What is Cloud Computing?

A way which provides a convenient access to the ‘The Basket’, whenever required, with no or minimal efforts, in a cost effective way.

So, if I say, I am enjoying a ride of BMW without owning or hiring it would you believe that?

Yes, you have to! Because I am playing a game, online!

Coming back to the IT, if an organization is using millions of application and zillions of storage severs to run its day to day business but this organization doesn’t even have a network team, storage team, maintenance or back-up & recovery team that means either I am lying to you or this organization has some super miraculous power. Actually, none of them are correct! This organization is using Cloud Computing!

Let's give few thoughts here, using network to access computing resources which are gathered in one basket by putting very less amount of efforts and money; which is very similar to enjoying a ride of BMW without owning it;  is Cloud Computing!

So, no IT team means less extra efforts and at the same time less expenditure on resources and this is the basic idea behind the Cloud Computing – Less Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Less Operating Expenditure (OPEX).

Formally, “Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, services and many more) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Cloud computing is a metaphor for giving Internet or Intranet users a growing collection of computing resources and associated software architectures to provide application services. The applications include processing and application integration, storage, and communications services. Cloud services are typically available on demand and are charged on a usage basis.

So, we can say “Whatever you’re using, that’s all you’re paying” like electricity!