Software and hardware that’s available for use over the Internet is a cloud computing. They are available on demand just like electricity that’s accessed from the grid.

What’s All the Buzz About?

According to CRN, small businesses will spend almost $100 billion on cloud computing by 2014. The tremendous demand is fueled by the savings, flexibility, scalability, ease of disaster recovery, and more that the cloud makes possible.

Get more for your money: The economies of scale offered by cloud computing make it affordable even for small businesses. Software development and infrastructure costs are split between many companies and that pay for them as they use them, rather than suffering the weight of large capital investments.

So small and mid-sized businesses can now access the systems that enable them to compete on a level playing field with the big boys.

The economies of scale offered by cloud computing make it affordable even for small businesses. Software development and infrastructure costs are split between many companies and that pay for them as they use them, rather than suffering the weight of large capital investments. So small and mid-sized businesses can now access the systems that enable them to compete on a level playing field with the big boys.

Scalability and Flexibility: The cloud makes it easy to scale up, or down, your use of hardware and software. Because you pay only for what you need when you need it, it helps overcome the obstacles such as foggy forecasts and fluctuating demand.

The cloud makes it easy to scale up, or down, your use of hardware and software. Because you pay only for what you need when you need it, it helps overcome the obstacles such as foggy forecasts and fluctuating demand.

Disaster recovery: Disaster recovery is quick and easy because it’s all automated. People don’t have to run down check lists manually to make sure everything is taken care of.

Unlock the Power of 3 Cloud Computing Solutions

To help you navigate the alphabet soup of cloud computing, and discover how you can profit from it, below are definitions of the three cloud services: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.

Software- as- a–Service (SaaS)

Software-as-a-service examples include everything from Salesforce , a powerful customer relationship solution, to something as simple as Gmail. They are both software solutions built for anyone to use. You simply sign up, log in and you have access. Some SaaS solutions, like Gmail, are free, and others are on the pay-as-you-go model.

The benefits of Software as a Service are:

Easy administration there’s no need to install and maintain software…just connect to the Internet and you’re good to go.

there’s no need to install and maintain software…just connect to the Internet and you’re good to go.

Automatic updates mean your employees are always using the latest innovations, and there’s no down-time to bring software up to date.

mean your employees are always using the latest innovations, and there’s no down-time to bring software up to date.

Compatibility of software between your users. You don’t have to worry about which version each user has, because in the cloud there’s only one version—the latest one.

of software between your users. You don’t have to worry about which version each user has, because in the cloud there’s only one version—the latest one.

Collaboration is easier because the cloud can be accessed anytime, all over the world.

is easier because the cloud can be accessed anytime, all over the world.

On-the-go accessibility—you can access the software wherever you are.

Platform –as–a–Service (PaaS)

Platform-as- a-Service refers to platforms where the development tool is hosted in the cloud and accessed over the Internet. For example, force.com, which supports Salesforce, is a PaaS. Developers can deploy, test and iterate customized applications using software components already created by the PaaS vendor.

It’s cost effective because developers can rent the tools when they need them, during development and deployment, rather than having to buy them.

because developers can rent the tools when they need them, during development and deployment, rather than having to buy them.

Rapid development and deployment is possible as developers can access the cloud from wherever they are—enabling companies to scale quickly and use outside resources as necessary.

is possible as developers can access the from wherever they are—enabling companies to scale quickly and use outside resources as necessary.

It’s simpler to use PaaS than complex development tools and middleware which aren’t standardized. Platform tools are created to work together like a well-oiled machine.

to use PaaS than complex development tools and middleware which aren’t standardized. Platform tools are created to work together like a well-oiled machine.

Reliability is enhanced because platforms have been rigorously tested.

is enhanced because platforms have been rigorously tested.

Up-to-date platforms Just like with SaaS there’s no need to spend time upgrading for the latest features.

Infrastructure-as–a –Service (IaaS)

IaaS is a solution that enables to rent server and networking hardware, accessing them via the Internet.

No capital investment is required to access the infrastructure. This is a huge win for businesses who want to pay as they go rather than making a large capital outlay when they don’t have a clear picture what lies ahead for their business.

is required to access the infrastructure. This is a huge win for businesses who want to pay as they go rather than making a large capital outlay when they don’t have a clear picture what lies ahead for their business.

Dynamic scaling is possible so if your business takes off and you need more capacity, you don’t have to do anything. The cloud enables you to manage spikes in demand easily.

is possible so if your business takes off and you need more capacity, you don’t have to do anything. The cloud enables you to manage spikes in demand easily.

Reliability is enhanced because IaaS vendors are able to focus on operational excellence.

is enhanced because IaaS vendors are able to focus on operational excellence.

Automation of administration takes the pressure off your IT staff so they can spend their time creating new processes and systems for efficiency rather than tending to the day-to-day infrastructure needs.