Cloud Computing
Simple Explanation
Cloud computing means using computer services that are provided over the internet instead of relying entirely on equipment you own. Imagine renting a storage unit rather than building an extra room onto your house. You can use the space without having to construct and maintain the building yourself. Cloud computing follows a similar idea. Companies provide storage, software and computing power using their own equipment. You connect to these services over the internet. The cloud isn't actually in the sky. The information is stored and processed on real computers in buildings called data centres.
Technical Explanation
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources, such as storage, processing power and software, over a network, usually the internet. Cloud providers operate the underlying infrastructure, allowing customers to access services without owning all the physical equipment.
Business Use Case
A growing accounting firm needs a secure way for employees in different locations to access shared documents. Buying and maintaining its own large computer system would be expensive and require specialist support. The firm chooses a cloud storage service. Employees can access authorized files over the internet, while the provider maintains the storage equipment. The firm still manages access permissions and protects client information, but it avoids much of the cost and work of operating its own storage infrastructure.
Real-Life Example
Imagine Patricia takes photographs of her grandchildren using her smartphone. She wants to keep the pictures safe in case she loses or replaces her phone. She enables a cloud photo backup service. With the right settings and an internet connection, her phone uploads copies of the photographs to the provider's computers. Later, when Patricia buys a new phone, she signs in to her account and can access the backed-up pictures again.
A phone takes and uploads photographs, and cloud storage stores copies on the provider's computers, connected through the internet.
Connected through the internet. Backed-up photographs can be accessed from another authorized device.