The cloud computing model is often divided into three components: infrastructure, platform and software. With IT hardware and software resources provided as a pay-as-you-need-it service, operational costs can be reduced by as much as 40%.
Many of the enabling technologies and services associated with cloud computing have in fact been around for some time. The difference now is that they are reaching maturity and being combined in new ways. The result is dynamic, scalable and virtualised access to software, platform and infrastructure resources hosted in the cloud.
Cloud application services deliver software as a service over the internet by the provider, thereby eliminating the need for companies to purchase, install and run applications on their own computers.
Cloud computing provides network-based access to, as well as management of, software that is commercially available. Because activities are managed from central locations rather than in-house, users can access their entire desktop and personal files – whenever and wherever they need to – via the internet or other secure network. In addition, application features are updated centrally which negates the need for downloadable patches or upgrades.
Software as a Service (SaaS) computing is evolving in line with the continuing growth of cloud services. With the cloud computing industry predicted to reach $42 billion by 2012 – equating to almost half the entire software business – cloud computing is likely to have a major influence on future software development.
One of the pragmatic reasons for this is scale: both the size and scope of modern software demand new economic models if it is to remain cost-effective. Nearly all applications available online today have to be able to scale to a few million users as quickly and inexpensively as possible.
Find out more about the increasing importance of cloud computing software by contacting Optim IP today.
