Cloud based computing is here to stay – you heard it here first!

Okay, perhaps you’ve already heard this statement elsewhere – in fact, you’ve likely been bombarded with hundreds of reasons why cloud computing is indeed the way forward, and why it will continue to expand across the competitive landscape.

As cloud computing continues growing very quickly in all areas of software distribution, it’s no wonder that the “trendy” term is surrounded by excessive hype.

Data “in the cloud” can be accessed by users from anywhere at anytime

But what is cloud computing?

If you’re still asking this question – which is a fair thing to do, as the term is still relatively undefined – it’s time to find your own understanding of “the cloud” and how it can (and will) affect your business and your life.

Simply, cloud computing is a method for delivering and receiving information technology services through internet based tools and software systems.  The term “cloud” refers to the act of information being stored wirelessly on the internet – “in the clouds” so to speak – infinitely meaning that a user does not need to be in a specific place to gain access to it.

Information in the cloud is stored in secure data centers and online servers, and is accessible anywhere that a user or developer has access to the internet.

Benefit #728: Cost effective

Cloud computing is, all in all, an affordable solution for all involved parties.   Not only does cloud computing software eliminate the expensive investment costs that come with traditional installation software, but it also provides users with free software updates for the period that they subscribe to the system.

From a user’s perspective, there is no such thing as e-conomic 1.0, e-conomic 8.0, and so forth.  There is simply an accounting software system that automatically upgrades with new and improved functionality – all without even the click of a button or a check of “I agree to these terms” (even though you never actually read them).

Cloud computing especially makes sense for smaller companies, since start-up costs are eliminated and you simply need to “pay as you go” for as long as you wish to use the application.

Is my data safe in the cloud?

While this has been a common question in recent years, there is a growing understanding that your data is just as secure in the cloud as if kept in-house – perhaps even more so.

Let’s take this easy comparison: you trust your company’s treasury with a bank, because you know that it is much safer there than in a locked safe in your office – isn’t that true?

Data centers and hosting sites are the “banks” of information technology, and their security procedures are in place in order to keep your data as safe and secure as your money in the bank.

Keeping your data secure is easy – entrust it to professionals

Benefit # 1,354: Automatic data transfer

When choosing a business system in the cloud, choose companies who offer open APIs – application programming interfaces.  This will allow your various business applications to communicate together in the cloud through app solutions that you can either develop in house or, more easily, purchase as a service.

Combining applications saves you the extra work of sharing data between systems.  Take a webshop and an accounting system for instance – why should you manually reenter your sales data into invoices when this could be done for you automatically and then approved, sent and booked?

Final thoughts

Here at e-conomic, the terminology “cloud computing” and “SaaS”, as well as the surrounding hype, aren’t very important to us.  We simply strive to offer a better, faster and easier accounting solution.

Our online accounting software helps companies to conduct their business smarter and more cost-effectively – and we think that makes all the difference between “just a trend” and a long lasting solution.

This entry was posted on 12 May 2011 at 12:31 pm and is filed under Market info. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.