When you think of cloud computing, it is likely that you think of images, videos, photos and emails that reside on a network. These servers are primarily utilized for storage, but some provide the computing power needed to run applications and programs. Cloud applications are a more form of software that runs its processing logic and data storage on different systems. Some of that processing is performed on an user’s device, like a desktop or laptop computer while other processing takes place on the server that hosts the application.
Cloud applications are usually built with collaboration capabilities that allow multiple users to work on documents at the same time. This can boost productivity and improve collaboration. Additionally, many of them automatically update themselves to include the latest functionality and security patches. This can save IT staff many hours of work.
Another advantage of cloud-based software is their capacity to scale up or down quickly. This flexibility is extremely beneficial for businesses with regular or fluctuating needs. It can also help lower operational costs since hardware can be purchased and not used during slow periods.
In addition, cloud-based applications typically use a subscription model in which users pay for what they use. This is often less expensive than purchasing the software licenses for each device or operating system. This also increases the agility of business, as businesses do not need to spend huge sums of money in order in order to begin. Cloud providers typically offer disaster recovery services to their customers. This will help them protect themselves from local outages or even physical catastrophes.