Yes, we produced a play on the old S.S.D.D. acronym. But if you look at technologies and timelines, you will see why this isn’t such a undesirable description.
But very first, lets define Cloud Computing. Just before I create it down, I want you to know, that I didn’t do a search for “Cloud Computing definition” just before starting this post. Let’s see how close I come.
Cloud Computing –
“An application that is offered to a computing device exactly where the execution of the core application is completed separate from the (application) client, and outside the user’s private safe network, rather accessed by a shared public network.
The core application is owned and executed by some other 3rd party. The core application is also created or configured such that it seems to be a single instance of the application to the user or distinct group of users. The application client may be a standards based interface, a custom software program application, or embedded firmware based.
The important difference among cloud computing and the client – server model is that in the client – server model, the core application and hardware is maintained (typically) by the customers organization and positioned inside the private safe network.”
So, did I come close?
Considering the fact that I’ve been about computing and networking for a lengthy time, which is why I nonetheless call myself an Independent Telecommunications Consultant, even though I’m actually a Technologies Consultant. So lengthy that I recall setting up UUCP connections at the blazing speed of 2400 bps. I’ve noticed a lot of various market trends, and how they focus on buzzwords. I’m not saying that there have not been good innovations and that they did not deserve the promoting hyperbole that they received, but I’ve also noticed some definitely creative spins on concepts that have been around for years.
A single of the superior spins is Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has been around for decades, just named a thing else. Let’s construct a list of the “crucial options” of my definition of cloud applications.
Main application processing is not on the user’s computing device.
Main application runs outside the private network, on 3rd party hardware/software.
Seems as a single instance to the user(s).
User accesses application with a requirements based client.
My initial example of a cloud application that’s been around for years?
POP3/IMAP Email
Probably the initial ubiquitous application anyone utilized on the online, and in my case, back to when I ran a MajorBBS and AX.25 based packet bulletin boards on VHF radio. (For these who don’t know, packet radio is very similar to SCADA radio systems.)
Unless you’re a total techno-geek, an organization that has a user base massive enough, or has other requirements to preserve your e-mail server in home, your email is possibly hosted by your ISP, your web hosting business, or some email host. You access it working with an email client like Outlook, Thunderbird, or even your smart telephone employing normal POP3 or Imap protocols. The server acts as the mail transfer agent, and (typically) shops your e mail. This is specifically accurate if you access your e-mail via a internet browser. And how to make a hotline if it really is a committed domain name – at least that’s how it appears to you and your e-mail client. Hmm, sure appears like a cloud app to me.
My second instance of a cloud app that is been made use of for a long time?
E-Commerce
Why E-Commerce?
Mainly because to call any internet page a cloud app would be also clear. Besides, e-commerce has a lot extra going on in the background than the serving up of a net web page, even when it really is dynamically generated by WordPress, Joomla, or Ruby on Rails. An e-commerce internet site has a database driven content material method, but it also has a credit card authentication process, and a mechanism that hooks back into the merchants inventory and accounting systems. Sophisticated e-commerce websites have sophisticated API code snippets to the merchants Contact Center for buyer service chat applications and Click to Call services. If you don’t believe the e-commerce website collects all these consumer metrics for a Customer Relationship Management technique for developing and tracking their marketing and advertising campaigns, you aren’t paying attention to what your browser does on a sophisticated e-commerce internet site. As someone who delivers speak to center consulting, I can inform you there has been billions of dollars spent on this in the last 20 years.
Most merchants do not host their personal e-commerce sites. Instead they rely on the hosting company for the “processing” and improvement, or a different net development company to maintain the internet application. The user accesses all of these transparently through nothing a lot more than a internet browser.