How should an IT Layman picture Cloud Computing ?

I've heard lots of our IT Gurus use the word "cloud" mysteriously, so much that an IT layman would simply surrender to the confusing thought of this being a clustered thousands of super computers that roar like thunder and blaze like lightning.

Cloud computing is not a computer, it is not a server, it is not a database, it is not a standalone hardware, neither is it standalone software.

Cloud computing is a model which simply describes how everything you currently do on your PC (be it at work or at home), can now be done on the Internet. Yes, Cloud is simply Internet.

If your PC has no space on the hard drive, you can store everything you need on the Internet. In this case, we call it cloud storage.

If you decide not to install any software on your PC (e.g. MS Word, PowerPoint), you can use exactly same software over the internet. In this case we call it cloud applications (like Microsoft Office 365)

If you decide not to watch movies by downloading or playing DVDs, you can stream movies on platform like Netflix, which is powered by a cloud infrastructure.

The list of what cloud computing can achieve is endless and the world is just beginning to scratch the surface. Remember, cloud computing is a Model.

Now, I know a typical IT layman in Nigeria is a genius in some other sector, so you might start wondering how all these cloud computing is implemented. Well, that is the job of a cloud service provider. 

A Cloud Service Provider is an entity that serves its customers in any of the following three ways - Infrastructure as a service (IAAS), Software as a service (SAAS), Platform as a service (PAAS). Please don't get confused, let me explain.

Infrastructure as a service (IAAS): This simply means that the service provider gives you internet access to its pool of resources, which include servers, database, operating system; You are charged a subscription fee based on your requirement, and you scale up or scale down your requirement at anytime (By requirement, I mean database size, server memory, processor, and others - ofcourse this affects the amount you pay). With IAAS, you can do as little as host a website, host a simple web app, or host more complex application. Examples are Amazon EC2, Windows Azure, Rackspace, Google Compute Engine.

Software as a service (SAAS): This simply means the service provider is not really selling its infrastructure, it is selling the software that runs on its infrastructure. So you can pay a fee to use the software over the internet. You don't have to worry about the installation, setup and running of the application. Service provider will do that for you. A typical example is Google apps and Microsoft office 365.

Platform as a service (PAAS): This applies more to professionals that need a development platform to build, run and manage softwares, simulation or experiment with artificial intelligence. Trust me, you shouldn't bother yourself much with this aspect, as you will rarely need to build anything as an IT layman (Talk to professionals if you need to build anything). 

In summary, cloud computing is just allowing the internet to take over anything you do locally on your PC. It is safer, more reliable, and faster.

Please note: I do not intend to present myself as man that has absolute knowledge of everything (I'm a team player), neither do I consider the inputs of fellow professionals to be of lesser value. 

However, with over 14 years experience as a software developer, I will love to characterize my position as that of a customer-oriented app developer and I strongly believe that every aspect of Information technology can be understood when properly explained, particularly when offering IT services as I do today.

I do hope you've learnt something new. Stay blessed.

Stephen Adetutu Oniya | Director & Lead Developer | Softcity Group | Call Me 08092822229 | www.softcitygroup.com