What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing (or cloud storage) is the process of storing data online and is gaining popularity for a number of reasons. It is a secure way to store information, the data is password protected, can be easily shared with others, cannot be lost, damaged or stolen, and does not take up physical space on your computer.
Until now, data was physically stored on disks, hard drives, or flash drives. The downside of this is that it takes up space to store the information, there is always a risk of the materials being lost, damaged or stolen and if you want to share it you have to make copies and somehow get it safely to someone else in a safe place. different location.
There are many benefits that cloud computing companies offer, including:
Cloud storage gives you as much or as little space as you need, and you only pay the host for what you use. This saves you money and is ideal for businesses that may require more space, for example during busy times of the year and less space in the off-season.
The host takes care of any required maintenance, so you don’t need a huge IT department.
Access your files at any time from any device
You can get access to documents, programs, templates and other applications provided by the host company. The main benefit of this is that you don’t have to download anything to your computer…everything is on the host site. This saves space on your PC while everything you need is just a click away.
Password protect specific files and folders to keep them private and share them only with those you choose.
How do I start?
To take advantage of cloud computing, you must first decide on a host. This is the cloud computing company that will build, maintain and secure the ‘cloud’ where your information will be stored. Cloud computing companies offer a wide range of services and can vary widely in price. Some are free, some are as low as $1 per month, and others can charge upwards of $50 per year. Choosing the right host for your business is important.
These are the 3 most popular cloud computing companies:
Google Drive-The Google service is free for the first 15 GB of space. Furthermore, it not only stores your data, but also gives you the option to create, edit, store and share images, music, files and forms. It can be used with easy to use Google Docs templates to help you create the best documents.
DropBox-They have a free and paid version. Dropbox is super secure and you can grant password protected access to specific folders to select people so they see only what they need to see and nothing else. Live chat and phone support take the guesswork out of setting up your site.
JustCloud-Offering free and paid accounts, as low as $3.95 per month, this company offers easy drag-and-drop customization, bank-grade encryption, and the ability to sync multiple computers so you have 100% access to your files, all the time.