| 10 Reasons why Cloud Computing is the Wave of the Future |
| 1. Subscription Software The evolution of software from a product to a service means that software runs on a subscription-based usage model. Rather than waiting for patches or upgrades to out-of-the-box software, upgrades now occur automatically, without disruption or downtime. Software as a Service also means that you don't have to pay for applications that you don't use, since software is no longer bundled. |
| 2. Less Maintenance Hosting software in the cloud reduces the amount of maintenance needed on user's computers. Computer-based software also uses up precious resources, such as hard disk space. Additionally, SaaS eliminates the need for servers that also require maintenance and resources. |
| 3. More Reliability When software programs are hosted online by independent companies, it ensures reliability of performance. It's easy to have sufficient backup systems in place to handle unexpected downtimes or even blackouts, without burdening server capacity. Files are automatically saved, ensuring that corruption or data loss occurs much less often than with server-based computing. And if your computer or mobile device goes haywire, you don't lose anything—since it's all stored in the cloud, and not on the device proper. |
| 4. Scalability Since the resources of the software system are not limited to the computer's physical media capabilities, systems can be scaled up or down as the individual user requires. Storage is not an issue with cloud computing, since users can simply pay for more, or less, as they need it. |
| 5. Reducing Costs Cloud computing enables individual users as well as large corporations to outsource their entire infrastructure. This dramatically reduces costs and frees up essential working capital to grow their primary service or expand their business model. Capital investment and ongoing costs are both reduced. |
| 6. Green Computing Cloud-based services are one of the greenest ways to handle computing-related tasks. Individuals and businesses can save up to 80 percent of their energy costs by switching to cloud computing. Since data centers have to be run according to strict models to keep up with energy requirements, this means that overall energy consumption is reduced tremendously. |
| 7. Trend Matching The trend towards cloud computing is matched by a trend towards netbooks and other mobile devices, like smartphones, among the general public. Netbooks are low-powered, low-end laptops that are cheap to make and cheap to buy, while smartphones combine all the accessibility and ease of use of a state-of-the-art computer with the portable functionality of a cell phone. These devices, combined with cloud computing means that people can carry unimaginable computing power with them wherever they go. |
| 8. Portability Cloud computing enables files and software to be accessed from anywhere, as long as the user has an Internet connection. This could result in the workforce becoming increasingly mobile, especially for information or knowledge-based service companies. |
| 9. Efficient Resource Usage Virtualization, running entire computer systems from the cloud, enables companies to use their resources much more efficiently. Users no longer require different servers for each of their applications. Virtualized servers can run on the same physical server. |
| 10. An End To Software Updates The end of software as a discrete series of updates means that software services would now be versionless. Repairing and upgrading functions would be easy and pose no inconvenience to users. |
