Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a rather broad umbrella of web-based services defined by software being hosted on servers--separate from the actual company subscribing to the service--allowing businesses to grant their employees access to the exact same software throughout, without having to manually install the software on each individual's computer (de Borja). Before we can get into the benefits and risks of cloud computing, let's analyze a bit more as to what cloud computing is when implemented. Cloud computing simplifies the way companies handle software by simply allowing their employees to access all the same software through a network (generally, the internet). In our last assignment, we discussed SaaS (Software as a Service) specifically--but SaaS is only one form of cloud computing; there are many other forms, however, it seems the three most prominent are SaaS, PaaS (Platform as a Service, and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). The differences between the 3 can be complex, but essentially they are the same--just with more or less available options (“Cloud Computing“).

Since we have already discussed Software as a Service in a previous assignment, it will be easiest to start with a short recap: Software as a Service is the most straightforward of the 3 choices--companies, themselves, host no actual software on their computers; everything is hosted off-site on the provider's servers--the software, all saved data, etc. All software updates are preformed by the service provider along with any necessary hardware troubleshooting; the only thing the company subscribing to the service actually does, with this option, is provide its employees with a way to access the service providers network.

PaaS is generally the same as SaaS, except that it allows a company to develop its own personalized software; with SaaS, usually the software you are using is available to the general public and is pre-existing piece of software. If that type of software is not suitable enough...