WisconsInnovation

The computer world is always searching for the next technological breakthrough that will again revolutionize the industry. The innovation that seems to show the most promise today is cloud computing. What exactly is cloud computing? Like its name, it is not easy to pin down. Fundamentally, though, it is an emerging computing technology that uses the internet and remote servers to maintain data and applications. Through cloud computing, people and businesses can use applications without installation and access their personal files from any computer with internet access.

Cloud computing can allow for greater efficiency as it centralizes storage, memory, processing, and bandwidth. Users can save money on infrastructure and applications. Clouds offer great flexibility – you only need access to the internet to reach all your files. You can expand your computing capabilities at the drop of a hat and contract them again just as easily. End-users and start-up companies can use cloud technology to get inexpensive access to sophisticated technology. The opportunities for innovation appear endless for both large companies to offer platforms and smaller firms to provide cost-effective access to their applications.

At the same time, cloud computing comes with some real risks. By outsourcing data storage, security risks increase. Not having data on internal servers means that you are at the mercy of someone else. If their system goes down, you cannot access your information. Finally, there is the possibility of becoming locked in with one company due to technological incompatibilities. These are all very real dangers associated with a technology that is in its infancy.

Is cloud computing going to change the world? Is it going to be a good tool to have in your toolbox? Only time will tell. Read more in a recent Economist article.